SENATE BUDGET SUBCOMMITEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES MOVES UP APRIL 19TH HEARING FROM 1:30 PM TO 10:00AM - PROTEST RALLY AND MARCH STILL ON - TO BEGIN INSIDE THE CREST THEATER

SACRAMENTO -  The April 19th Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services on the proposed cuts to services for people with developmental disabilities provided under the Department of Developmental Services has been changed from the original start time of 1:30 PM to the new start time of 10:00 AM.  The hearing is still on the same day and in the same hearing room (Room 4203 in the State Capitol).  The change was necessary due to "circumstances beyond the control" of the Senate Budget Committee chair, Sen. Wes Chesbro (D-Arcata), according to committee staff.

A rally for the rights of children and adults with developmental and other disabilities and seniors, planned to kick-off two weeks of protests to coincide with four scheduled budget hearings, beginning April 19, is still scheduled to begin also at 10:00 AM, inside the Crest Theater at 1013 K Street Mall (between 10th and 11th Streets).  The rally will be shortened, and will be followed by a march directly into the State Capitol from there at about 11 AM.   Persons interested in attending the protest rally should get to the Crest Theater as early as possible. Doors open at 9:00 AM.

The Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services is also holding a hearing on April 22, Thursday on other critical issues impacting people with disabilities - including the Governor's proposals to eliminate a major program of in-home services for people with disabilities and seniors.  That hearing is still scheduled though the exact time is dependent on when the full Senate adjourns in the morning.  Capitol staff believe the hearing on that day will begin at or around 10 AM.  A protest rally to coincide with that hearing will begin at 9 AM.

There is also no change to the other hearings scheduled April 26 and April 28 on developmental services and in-home services for people with disabilities by the Assembly Budget Subcommittee.  See CDCAN Action Alert released 4/15 for more details or visit the CDCAN wesbite.
 

URGENT - CONTRIBUTIONS NEEDED TO CONTINUE EFFORT
As  of 4/14/04, many many, thanks again,  to the friends, people with disabilities and their families, community organizations and others who have sent in generous and needed contributions and donations.  As mentioned before, individual thank you letters are now being sent out (due to workload have been delayed!). However, until grant funding is finalized, contributions from people and organizations is still very urgently needed to keep the advocacy efforts going for the next several months. Please make check or money order  to:  California Disability Community Action Network  (or abbreviate CDCAN). CDCAN is not yet a non-profit organization (work on this will have this happen in within the next few months) Send contributions to: California Disability Community Action Network,  1225 8th Street Suite #480, Sacramento, CA  95814.  A method to contribute by credit card (through Paypal) is NOW set up on our website, at www.cdcan.org.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE CDCAN CAPITOL NEWS REPORTS
* This is a news report of the non-partisan California Disability Community Action Network, a link to thousands of Californians with developmental and other disabilities, their families, community organizations and providers, direct care and other workers, and other advocates. These reports is for all of them. In addition it also goes to news organizations, state and local government officials and staff.
* If you would like to get on this distribution (and conversely, get off of it) please send an email with that  request to:  martyomoto@rcip.com. Sharing information is part of our organizing effort. Please feel free to forward or copy  this (attribution is nice). We're all in this together!
Marty Omoto, director/organizer
California Disability Community Action Network
1225 8th Street Suite 480 Sacramento, CA 95814   VOICE PHONE: 916/446-0013
FAX number: 916/446-0026        email: martyomoto@rcip.com
INFO HOTLINE TOLL FREE NUMBER: 1-877-260-0267 (cannot leave messages)
SAME INFO HOTLINE FOR SACRAMENTO AREA:  486-4652
WEBSITE: www.cdcan.org