NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket

Attached is an analyst of the Budget bill, recommended by the House Finance Committee, Friday evening. There are some programs that would be eliminated.

In the Department of Human Services:
1. Eliminate Personal Choice Waiver Program - Jan 1. The House Finance Committee recommends eliminating the personal choices option under the global waiver for savings of $0.9 million from all sources, including $0.4 million from the final half of FY 2012. The Department·provides home and community care services through the option and gives a monthly stipend to eligible individuals so they can hire who they chose to help with daily activities allowing them to remain in their own home.
2. End Payment of RIte Share Client Co-Pays, Oct 1. The House Finance Committee recommends savings of $300,000, including $143,004, from general revenues by eliminating copayments for prescriptions, doctor visits and deductibles made by the state on behalf of families receiving RIte Share benefits.
3. Hardship Program. The House Finance Committee does not recommend funding the general public assistance hardship program payments for savings of $420,000 in FY 2012. Paid $200/month
4. Department of Veteran's Affairs. Maintain Veterans' Mfairs as a Division. The House Finance Committee recommends maintaining Veterans' Affairs as a Division of the Department of Human Services and eliminates the five new positions included in the Governor's recommendation for the new Department.
5. Department of Elderly Affairs. Merge Elderly Affairs with Human Services. The House Finance Committee recommends the Department of Elderly Affairs be merged with the Department of Human Services.

In the Department of Behavioral Healthcare, Developmental Disabilities and Hospitals
1. Health Homes Initiative (GBA). Consistent with a Governor's budget amendment, the House Finance Committee adds $12.7 million from federal health home funds that was not included in his recommendation.
2. RICLAS Group Homes Transition to Private Providers. The House Finance Committee recommends savings of $235,997, $112,500 from general revenues from transferring operations of five state run group homes to a privately operated system. The Committee also assumes the continuing transfer of five homes a year.

In the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
1. Early Childhood. The Governor recommends the enacted level of $0.7 million for early childhood programs. The new education funding formula allows for additional funding from the state for early childhood education programs. Funding will be used to increase access to voluntary, free, high quality pre-kindergarten programs. This pilot program began in FY 2010 with $700,000. The House Finance Committee does not recommend funding this program in FY 2012.
2. Education Aid - Construction Aid Moratorium. Instituting a moratorium on the school housing aid program for projects that do not yet have Regents' approval would result in savings of $7.7 million to the state beginning in FY 2013. This is based on 11 projects that are currently under review by Department of Elementary and Secondary Education staff that have not yet received Regents' approval. It assumes that all of these projects will receive Regents approval and complete by June 30, 2012 in order to be eligible for reimbursement in FY 2013. It also assumes a three year moratorium and FY 2012 school housing aid share ratios and a minimum of 40.0 percent pursuant to the new education funding formula.

In the Department of Transportation - RIPTA/RIde
Capital - Paratransit Vehicles. The Governor's capital budget includes a total of $190,400 from Rhode Island Capital Plan funds in FY 2012 to match federal funds and funds from the Rhode Island Public Transit Authority for the replacement of paratransit vehicles, software upgrades and surveillance equipment. The House Finance Committee does not recommend use of Rhode Island Capital Plan funds for this project.

Shortened advance notice of committee hearings on the General Assembly's website will shrink, during the last last day or so hearing could happen within moments of the notice being posted. I urge everyone to check the status of bills of interest at least once a day, at:
 http://dirac.rilin.state.ri.us/BillStatus/webclass1.asp

sounds like a great bunch of changes but not the real changes needed.

some sure hurt and are silly exercises but the poliyicos still playing games and where are our reps?

As you know, the Governor’s proposed for FY12 included $9.6 million in new cuts to services for individuals with developmental disabilities.  The budget passed out of House Finance Ct. on 6/17/11 included an ADDITIONAL $10.5 million in cuts.  THIS EQUALS A TOTAL FUNDING CUT OF OVER $20 MILLION TO PEOPLE WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.

In addition, the House Finance Ct. also cut $4.2 million dollars from the DHS budget that were used to offset transportation costs for programs supporting people with developmental disabilities.