[nfbwatlk] The hearing

Tue Feb 2 19:40:36 UTC 2010

Well here's a pleasant little tidbit I heard from the hearing online: As the
initial bill was being presented, a statement was made (about the fiscal
impact) that consolidating DSB into DSHS would produce a savings of $1.2
Million. A committee member immediately responded by looking at his
paperwork and reading that there would also be a $1.2 Million Revenue
Reduction and therefore a zero fiscal impact. 

I didn't catch the on-the-ball committee member's name, but I'd love to know
who he is when y'all return and report back. Also, couldn't see online how
many people showed up because the camera was permanently stationed on the
boring shot of the committee members sitting there. I heard names of people
(and their excellent testimonies) and I know that there were more than they
were able to hear from!  

Joanne Laurent 
Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist
If you can't learn it, I'm not teaching it right!
www.blindcoach.com

Highest Expectations Travel and Adaptive Skills Instruction for the Blind
P.O. Box 586 Ariel, WA 98603
(360) 231-4597 

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nfbwatlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Freeman
Sent: February 02, 2010 11:25 AM
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: Constituent: Dept. of Services for the Blind

Jedi et al:

I've seen Joanne's note with Ed Orcutt's response. I'll have to think a bit
as I am not sure there is an agency merger that makes sense although several
plans have been floated.

I understand that the ranking minority member of the HHS Appropriations
Committee (where the hearing was this morning) is against the bill so there
will at least be a fight over the issue. We all await more first-hand
accounts of what went on.

Mike

----- Original Message -----
From: Jedi <loneblindjedi at samobile.net>
To: nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
Date: Tuesday, Feb 2, 2010 11:04:48
Subject: Re: [nfbwatlk] FW: Constituent: Dept. of Services for the Blind

>
>
> Huh. I got a response from Kevin Ranker some time ago which wasn't 
> worth forwarding. the first paragraph was the prefunctory "thanks for 
> your concern," and the last paragraph was more or less the same thing 
> with the additional "it's great to see you involved in blind services," 
> and with the rest of the message all about health care primarily with 
> environmental issues thrown in for good measure. It was disappointing 
> especially because I thought he would be a better candidate than that. 
> Joanne, if I were you, I'd forward that message to Mike freeman 
> straight away since Mike's good at lobbying and legislation.
> 
> Respectfully,
> Jedi
> 
> 
> Original message:
> > I am forwarding the response that I received from Representative Ed
Orcutt
> > regarding HB 2953. He is on our side. But in the event our efforts are
not
> > successful he is seeking ideas for alternatives. Please read his
comments
> > below and respond directly to him, or if you prefer, I will forward any
> > RESPECTFUL messages to him. (In addition to the message below, I just
> > received two more emails from him so he clearly has taken notice and is
> > showing concern). I am only the cheerleader, not the lobbyist, so you
guys
> > take it from here!
> 
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Orcutt, Rep. Ed [mailto:Orcutt.Ed at leg.wa.gov]
> > Sent: February 01, 2010 5:45 PM
> > To: 'Joanne Laurent'
> > Subject: RE: Constituent: Dept. of Services for the Blind
> 
> > Joanne,
> 
> > I am very concerned about whether DSHS is capable of handling services
for
> > the blind -- I'm not particularly confident in their abilities in many
> > areas. As we seek to find ways to reduce the cost of programs without
> > negatively affecting those programs, I am very interested in ideas on
how we
> > can find and implement cost savings. Do you have ideas on where we could
> > merge this agency to achieve cost savings while protecting the quality
of
> > services currently provided? I am genuinely interested in specific
options
> > you may be able to develop to enable us to achieve these goals.
> 
> > Ed
> 
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Joanne Laurent [mailto:joanne at blindcoach.com]
> > Sent: Sunday, January 31, 2010 9:53 PM
> > To: Orcutt, Rep. Ed
> > Subject: RE: Constituent: Dept. of Services for the Blind
> 
> > Hello Representative Orcutt,
> >    I am attaching a copy of my written testimony regarding HB 2953
> > abolishing Services for the Blind. I do hope you will read it so you
> > understand why I am opposed to this bill and why it is in the state's
best
> > interest to abandon this particular piece of the proposed budget. This
issue
> > is much bigger than blindness; it is a manifestation of what you, J.
> > Herrera, & Sen. Zarelli predicted would happen last spring during a town
> > hall meeting. I do hope I can count on your support in fighting against
this
> > legislation. Thank you.
> 
> > Joanne Laurent
> > Certified Orientation and Mobility Specialist If you can't learn it, I'm
not
> > teaching it right!
> > www.blindcoach.com
> 
> > Highest Expectations Travel and Adaptive Skills Instruction for the
Blind
> > P.O. Box 586 Ariel, WA 98603
> > (360) 231-4597
> 
> 
> 
> 
> > _______________________________________________
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> > nfbwatlk at nfbnet.org
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