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| Final Senate Budget FY2009 |
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Amendments were finalized on the Senate’s version of the budget May 22. Overall, the news was disappointing, as none of our amendments asking for more funding for key programs were adopted, including the Turning 22 program and Community Residential services (which are facing a nearly $3 million cut in this budget).
One bright spot, however, was the Senate’s passage of an amendment to change the name of DMR to the Department of Developmental Services (the word "Disability" was removed from a previous proposal).
Despite the less than ideal outcome, we owe gratitude to all our friends in the Senate who filed amendments on our behalf, including Senators Berry, Spilka, Moore, Joyce, Tucker, Marzilli and Jehlen, as well as the dozens of other who co-sponsored those amendments.
Now, it’s off to Conference Committee, where a select group of legislators will hash out the differences between the Senate and House budgets – including the Senate’s proposal to change the name of DMR. On each line-item, we will be asking our legislators to get behind either the House version or the Senate version, depending on which one better serves people with disabilities. In the coming days, we will be asking you to contact your legislators in support of the better version by going to our Action Center.
The Conference Committee members include: Senators Panagiotakos, Tolman and Knapik and Representatives DeLeo, St. Fleur and DeMacedo. They, along with House Speaker DiMasi and Senate President Murray, hold all the cards now. (After Conference Committee, the budget is voted on by the full House and Senate and then goes to the Governor’s desk.) Therefore, we will be asking our legislators to contact them to push for our line-items. If your legislator happens to be one of the Conference Committee members, then it is especially crucial that you contact him or her during this time.
As you can see from the chart below, we will be asking that the Conference Committee support the House versions of:
1. Community Residential 5920-2000
2. Residential Rate Initiative 5920-2006
3. Boulet/ Waiting List 5920-2020
4. Day/Employment Programs 5920-2025
And the Senate versions of:
1. Family Supports (Respite) 5920-3000
2. Autism Division 5920-3010
3. DOE/DMR Program 5948-0012
4. Community First Initiative 4000-0650
Two other budget-related notes:
1. Rolland Settlement: In a Federal Court hearing in Springfield on May 22, Judge Nieman gave his verbal approval for the Rolland Settlement, which will provide community placements for 640 individuals with disabilities under 65 who currently live in nursing homes. The Legislature will have to include funding for the settlement in a supplemental budget.
2. Aversives Amendment: The Senate passed an amendment to its budget – by Sen. Brian Joyce – regulating aversive therapy. That provision would also have to pass through conference and be signed by the Governor to become law.
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Line Item
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Description
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Governor's Request
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Final House
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Senate Ways & Means
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Preferred Version
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Conference Committee Request
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5911-1003
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Administration & Operations
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$74,522,766
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$77,575,612
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$73,213,906
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5911-2000
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Transportation
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$14,137,324
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$14,137,324
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$14,137,324
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$14,137,324
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5920-2000
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Community Residential
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$568,961,352
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$569,334,202
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$568,961,352
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House
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$569,504,352
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5920-2006
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Residential Rate Initiative
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$2,000,000
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$2,250,000
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$0
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House
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$2,250,000
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5920-2010
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State Operated Community
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$137,630,099
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$136,245,115
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$137,187,683
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$137,187,683
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5920-2020
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Boulet/Waiting List
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$88,340,110
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$88,173,986
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$87,971,902
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House
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$88,173,986
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5920-2025
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Day/Employment
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$128,959,457
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$128,959,457
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$128,859,457
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House
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$128,959,457
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5920-3000
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Family Supports
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$55,044,228
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$55,294,228
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$55,994,228
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Senate
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$55,994,228
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5920-3010
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Autism Division
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$3,287,118
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$5,421,753
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$6,064,413
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Senate
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$6,064,413
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5920-5000
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Turning 22
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$6,100,000
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$7,700,000
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$7,700,000
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$7,700,000
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5930-1000
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State Schools
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$188,217,948
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$187,545,814
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$186,997,359
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5948-0012
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DOE/DMR
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$8,000,000
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$8,000,000
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$10,000,000
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Senate
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$10,000,000
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5982-1000
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Templeton Retained
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$150,000
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$150,000
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$150,000
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TOTAL
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$1,275,350,402
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$1,280,787,491
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$1,277,237,624
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Non-DMR Budget Items
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4000-0117*
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EOHHS Salary Reserve
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$23,000,000
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$23,000,000
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$23,000,000
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$23,000,000
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4000-0650
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Community First Initiative
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$45,800,000
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$15,000,000
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$20,000,000
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Senate
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$20,000,000
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| *Salary Reserve line-item in Senate is 1599-6901 |
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