[Nfbv-announce] Budget Amendments threatens Library Services for the Blind of Virginia

[Michael Kasey]

Please contact your Delagate in the General Assembly, especially those on
the list below.

Two proposed budget amendments proposed by Delagate Landes are still in the
House version of the Budget.

They are:

Chief Patron: Landes Item 320 #8h 

Chief Patron: Landes Item 341 #4h 

 

These amendments take $1 million from the Department of the Blind and
Visually Impaired (DBVI) and allocate to the Department of Rehabilitation
Services (DRS).  These funds are used for our Library Services.  We know
that taking from one disability agency to provide for another is just not
the right thing to do.  We oppose this amendment.  Please call soon as
voting is pending.

 

Dear Team leaders,

It is important that you contact your General Assembly Delegates as soon as
possible concerning this issue.

A list of Delegates to contact appears at the end of this message.  Please
focus on your team assignments.  Multiple telephone calls by your team
members are acceptable.  If you have questions, please let me know.

 

ISSUE: Delegate: Landes introduced 2 budget amendments identified as Item
341 #4h  and item 320 #8h

 

Both propose to transfer $1 million from DBVI to DRS.  This eliminates the
funding for library services at DBVI.

 

It is in the Health And Human Resources portion of the budget.


Explanation: 
(This amendment reallocates funding provided in the introduced budget 
from the Department of the Blind and Vision Impaired to the Department 
of Rehabilitative Services (DRS) for employment services for vocational 
rehabilitation consumers. The introduced budget provided $1.0 million 
each year from the general fund to the Department of the Blind and 
Vision Impaired for vocational rehabilitation services. Instead most of 
this funding would be reallocated and provided in fiscal year 2012 in 
order for DRS to continue to serve 32,000 Virginians with disabilities, 
including an additional 6,000 Virginians who have become eligible for 
services during the past year largely due to the downturn in the 
economy. Without the additional general fund amount, DRS will have to 
wait-list consumers in need of services.) 

Let your Delegates serving on the Appropriations committee know the Blind
oppose this budget action.  It will affect all Blind Citizens in Virginia to
lose the library services.

 

Lands Budget Amendment- House Appropriations Committee

Joe Hobson , team leader—Nancy, Sue Povinelli Carl, Jeff Lucas

Sherwood, Beverly J. Rm511, appropriations Committee (804) 698-1029 R

Phillips, Clarence E. Rm802 Appropriations committee (804) 698-1002 D

Poindexter, Charles D. Rm807 Appropriations (804) 698-1009 R

Charlie Brown, Team leader— Brittney Savage, Paul Jenkins and Travis,

May, Joe T., Rm504 appropriations committee  (804)698-1033 R 

Scott, James M. Rm402 Appropriations committee   (804)698-1053 D

Larry Povinelli, team leader—Gwen and Henderson Beavers      , Stuart and
Cathy Owen

Landes, R. Steven Rm515 Appropriations  Committee, vice chair Education
Committee,   (804)698-1025 R (previously patroned  agency consolidation bill
2005)   

Massie,  James P. III Rm516 Appropriations, Education and Health, welfare
and institutions Committees (804) 698-1072 R

O'Bannon, John M., III Rm521 Appropriations and Vice Chair, Health welfare
and institutions Committee ((804)698-1073 R

Cox, M. Kirkland  Rm948 Vice Chair Appropriations committee (804)698-1066 R

Dance, Rosalyn Rm813 appropriations committee (804)698-1063 D

Abbitt, Watkins M. Rm804 appropriations committee (804) 698-1059 I

Tracy Soforenko team leader— Mary Anne Kessler,  Bilie Ruth Schlank, and
Heather DeAtley

Ware, Onzlee Rm816 appropriations and Education Committees (804)698-1011 D

Brink, Robert Rm711 appropriations committee  (804)698-1048 D

Michael Kasey, team leader— Mark Roane and Jody Silverberg

Putney, Lacey E. Rm947  chairman appropriations committee  (804)698-1019 I 

Miss Layne (804)698-1219 assistant 

Betty Peaco (receptionist) 

Ingram, Riley E. Rm404 appropriations committee (804)698-1062 R

Lingamfelter, L. Scott Rm403 Appropriations and education committees
(804)698-1031 R )Jody’s delegate) 

Ken Jessup team leader—Mary Durbin, Michael McCann, Brian McCann

Jones, S. Chris Rm720 appropriations committee  (804) 698-1076 R

Howell, Algie T., Jr. Rm512 appropriations and health welfare and
institutions committees  (804) 698-1090 D

Stewart Prost and Althea Pitman team leaders—  André, Ron Byrd,   and
Tidewater Chapter member

Morgan, Harvey B. Rm523 appropriations committee (804)698-1098 R 

Joannou, Johnny S. Rm423 appropriations committee (804)698-1079 D 

BaCote, Mamye Rm507 appropriations, health welfare and institutions
committees (804) 698-1095 D 

Tata, Robert Rm801 chair education committee, appropriations committee
(804)698-1085 R