STATE BUDGET ACTION ALERT (LAST CHANCE!)

Budget Conference Committee Decision to
Include $3 Million in State Budget Now Goes to the Governor

LAST CHANCE TO URGE GOVERNOR AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS
TO KEEP $3 MILLION IN THE BUDGET

 The Budget Conference Committee has wrapped up its work for the year, with a bi-partisan vote to include $3 million for partial restoration of funding for the Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) cut in 2009.The Legislature’s version of the budget would restore $3 million to the CRCs but these actions are not final.

The Budget Conference Committee has wrapped up its work for the year, with a bi-partisan vote to include $3 million for partial restoration of funding for the Caregiver Resource Centers (CRCs) cut in 2009.The Legislature’s version of the budget would restore $3 million to the CRCs but these actions are not final.

The $3 million restoration of funds to the Caregiver Resource Centers will be negotiated against all other budget priorities in talks between Governor Brown, Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, and Senate President pro Tem Kevin de Leon.

All family caregivers, those professionals and organizations serving family caregivers, and friends of the Caregiver Resource Centers are urged to immediately contact all three state leaders and ask them to keep the $3 million restoration in the final budget.

The Governor’s Department of Finance has repeatedly cited on-going concerns about the uncertainty of future revenues and resources, and has opposed Legislative proposals to increase spending. It is estimated that the Legislature’s version of the budget is $700 million more than the Governor wants to spend this year, so there will be tough decisions and the potential for “blue pencil” line item vetoes of priorities the Governor does not endorse. The Legislature will conduct a final vote on the budget before Monday, June 15, the state constitutional deadline. Discussions between leaders and the Governor have begun now and will likely continue over the next two weeks before the Governor makes final decisions and signs the budget.

PLEASE FAX AND CALL THE GOVERNOR, THE SPEAKER, AND THE PRO TEM AND URGE THEM TO KEEP THE $3 MILLION FUNDING RESTORATION IN THE FINAL BUDGET TO ENSURE VITAL ACCESS TO SERVICES AND SUPPORT FOR UNPAID FAMILY CAREGIVERS THROUGH THE CAREGIVER RESOURCE CENTERS.

THIS IS THE LAST CHANCE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE ─ PLEASE ACT NOW!