[il-talk] Fw: Economic Stimulus and VR

[Robert Gardner]

FYI

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Matt Abrahamson" <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>
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Cc: "Matt Abrahamson" <Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2009 9:52 AM
Subject: Economic Stimulus and VR


> The following update on VR and the economic stimulus package is provided
> by Carl Suter, Director of CSAVR.
>
>
> Matt Abrahamson
> DHS/Division of Rehabilitation Services
> Staff Development Section
> 400 W. Lawrence
> P.O. Box 19429
> Springfield, IL 62794-9429
> 217.782.2280 (Voice)
> 866.263.1754 (TTY)
> 217.785.5319 (Fax)
> Matt.Abrahamson at illinois.gov
>
>>>> "Carl Suter" <carlsuter at rehabnetwork.org> 2/7/2009 8:52:38 AM >>>
> It appears that President Barack Obama's economic recovery plan is on
> track to pass the Senate after a handful of moderate Republicans and
> Democrats forced more than $100 billion in cuts in programs that
> wouldn't create many jobs right away.
>
> At 7:00 pm on Friday evening the Senate took up debate of the
> Nelson-Collins Amendment to H.R. 1 which sought more than $100 billion
> in cuts to various programs that had been passed by the Senate
> Appropriations and Finance Committees.  After debating the bill all
> day
> Friday and no sign of the compromise and only rumors to go by, the
> Senate took a break at 5:00pm, resumed and broke again at 6:30pm, then
> came back into session at 7:00pm for two hours of debate on the
> Nelson-Collins Amendment.  CSAVR learned at 8:10pm that the funding
> for
> VR, IL, and IDEA might be secure, and confirmed that fact at 9:29,
> just
> after voting on the amendment had begun.
>
> Architects of the compromise included Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Ben
> Nelson, D-Neb., who represented a broader group of moderates unhappy
> that so much money went into programs they thought wouldn't create
> jobs.
> Eventually, every Republican except Collins and Arlen Specter, R-Pa.,
> left the talks, which finally produced a deal with the White House
> late
> Friday afternoon.
>
> As of now, we are confident that the funding for Vocational
> Rehabilitation and Independent Living still stands at $610 million
> ($500
> million for VR, $110 million for IL) and funding for IDEA stands at
> $13
> billion.  There are still amendments to be considered, but Senate
> leaders are hopeful to complete action on H.R. 1 very soon.
>
> We want to thank everyone who worked so hard to keep the funding
> intact.
> We carried the day (or night in this case) because of persistent
> calls.
>
> While ensuring passage of Obama's plan in the Senate within a few
> days,
> the deal sets up difficult negotiations with the House.
>
> Carl Suter
> Chief Executive Officer
> CSAVR
> 4733 Bethesda Avenue, Suite 330
> Bethesda, MD  20814
> (301) 654-8414 voice
> (301) 654-5542 fax
> carlsuter at rehabnetwork.org
>
>