Tri-Line
A Special Edition
BUDGET CRISIS I M P O RTA N T
I N F O R M AT I O N
F O R
Y O U
Freedoms at Risk! by Jim Kester, President of the TCADD board of directors A memo Governor Davis sent on November 14 to all state agency secretaries and department directors says, “As you know, California is facing the steepest decline in state income in more than half a century . . . .” Governor Davis has also “. . . directed each department and agency to freeze new hiring, cut operating expenses by $150 million, and prepare 15 percent budget reductions for the 2002-03 fiscal year.” These cuts will affect thousands of real people in California, including more than 8,000 people with developmental disabilities served by Tri-Counties Regional Center — this includes you and your family as well as my own. My son David, 48 years old, spent 31 years institutionalized in a state-run developmental center. He currently lives successfully in the community where he is building new relationships and receiving great care, yet the supports he needs to keep him in his home are in jeopardy because of the budget crisis. It is important that we are aware of actions our Governor has taken to deal with this crisis, what has happened in previous years during a budget crisis, and what we can do to help to protect supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Emergency Session of the Legislature To deal with the current budget crisis, the Governor has called an emergency session of the State Legislature in January. This has frightening possibilities for us.
What has happened in the Past during a Budget Crisis? •1983 — The Governor called a special session of the legislature that passed a bill (40X) leaving us with little more than beds, meals, and day programs. •1992 — Emergency legislation permitted the state to cut funding for services. Regional centers were forced to say “no” to people needing support to live in their community, and to families who needed services for their children. Since 1992, the funding for community supports has not kept up with increased costs, and we have never recovered from the last recession. What’s more, with California’s current recession, our situation will get worse if we don’t take steps to educate our legislators and provide them with a solution. Continued on page 2 . . .
Tri-Counties Regional Center Newsletter December 2001
“These cuts will affect thousands of real people in California, including more than 8,000 people with developmental disabilities served by Tri-Counties Regional Center — this includes you and your family as well as my own.” —Jim Kester