February 2 ,2010
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means has announced the hearing schedule for the FY2011 Budget.
Three dates are important for human service advocates.
The February hearing are opportunities to listen to the listed state agencies present their budgets. It is possible for the general public to testify at the end of the agency executive's testimony. This is not a place for large crowds, but well-informed advocates who can present testimony succinctly can be effective.
Friday, February 19, 10 AM
Waltham High School, 617 Lexington Street, Waltham
Sen. Susan Fargo & Rep Carl Sciortino, Chairs
Health & Human Services I: Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid, Dept. of Public Health, Mental Health, Divsion of Health Care finance, Office of Refugees, Elder Affairs, Veterans Service, Soldiers home
Tuesday, February 23, 10 AM
Sudbury Town Hall, 322 Concord Road, Sudbury 01776
Sen. Karen Spilka & Rep. Tom Conroy, Chairs
Health and Human Service II: Dept. Children & Families, Dept. Youth Services, Dept Transitional Services, Dept Developmental Disabilities, Mass. Office on Disability, Mass. Rehabilitation Commission, Mass. Commission for the Blind, Mass. Commission for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing.
Friday, March 5, 10 AM
Gardner Auditorium
Sen Steve Brewer & Rep. Barbara L'Italien, Chairs
Open to the public
A complete schedule is posted on the DPC web site under Issues/FY11 Budget.
Janaury 28, 2010
A first look at the FY2011 Budget
Today’s budget announcement was a major relief for those of us who follow politics, budgets and messages from Beacon Hill. Many of us have been expecting the worse: cuts predicted in the range anywhere from 9 to 15%. The Governor’s budget released today show cuts averaging 1 to 2% with some major line items for MassHealth, Homeless and Housing actually being increased significantly.
The Governor relied on increased Federal Medicaid funding (stimulus funding), one time reserves, new revenues, and $800 million in cuts. The Federal increases are not yet firm. The new revenues include expanding the sales tax to soda and candy and also reduce three business tax breaks. These items have not had traction in the Legislature so it remains to be seen how this will break.
The terrible news for Community First came on two fronts. One, the 4000 line item for Community First tied to the 1115 Waiver the last two years does not appear. The $2.5 million the legislature added in FY10 for the Equal Choice pre-admission counseling program does not appear. The Governor struck that with 9c cuts in FY10. Both these items speak volumes for the commitment to Community First and the Olmstead Plan.
On a related note, the line item within the Department of Public Health that supports the MS Chapters Home Links program has been consolidated with many other line items so we can not assess the damage. It is safe to assume the worse.
The Governor’s budget once again tries to consolidate line items. For example, in the Massachusetts Rehabilitation Commission budget, the employment assistance, independent living, home maker accounts are consolidated with the administrative account. The Legislature has always restored the line items with the House and senate budgets.
The DPC spreadsheet comparisons are based up the estimated FY10 spending after the October 2009 9c cuts. Other numbers you may see are based on the original FY10 appropriation. This is an important difference because the 9c cuts had significant effects on services. So, while the FY11 budget is not as bad as expected, it is remain a terrible budget for many, many people and services.
MCDHH was cut by $98,000 while $33,000 was cut from MRC. There are two retained revenue accounts in MCDHH, so the expectation may be that the Commission can increase its revenue through the interpreter and technical assistance services it provides to other state agencies and the public. The MCB budget grew by $144,000 but that included consolidation of line items that makes it difficult to actually track the impact. The Talking Book Libraries remained level funded.
Within MRC there was a significant shift of funding. The Employment Assistance program (4120-3000) increased $1,174,802 over the final FY10. The shift seems to have come mainly from home maker services which have been reduced by $685457. This will prevent restoring benefits, keep the waiting lists, and means a reduction in staff.
Elder services were pretty much level funded with a sigh of relief being heard from Al Norman and company. The Prescription Advantage program took an $8 million dollar cut, but most home care services were at last years levels.
Many of us jumped in late last year in support of people with disabilities who stood to lose Transitional Aid to Families and Emergency Aid. These line items actually increased and did not include any changes in eligibility. Bravo to and from the advocates who led the charge on these items.
Housing and homelessness services increased in Department of Housing and Community Development Accounts. The good news there included $2.7 million increase in Mass. Rental Housing Vouchers.
Elizabeth Toulan, GBLS advocate for the Family Economic Initiative, put it this way: “It’s always nice to be able to approach the Legislature and say ‘You don’t want to come out with numbers worse than the Governor, do you’”.
A reminder that better-than-expected news in the midst of a disaster should not allow us to be complacent. FY10 was not a good year and by no stretch can we consider FY11 a good year either. Our advocacy needs to support reducing the corporate tax breaks and increasing revenues. People First! is more tha