[rehab] ACTION ALERT: NOTICE OF POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF THE OREGON COMMISSION FOR THE BLIND

Leslie Fairall fairall at shellworld.net
Sun May 17 19:26:35 UTC 2009 

The Oregon Commission for the Blind may have wasted taxpayers' 
money, but 
that is no reason for eliminating a separate state agency for the blind. 
If this occurs, you will lose the expertise in blind rehabilitation within 
the state. Integrating services within state government is never a good 
idea. The Oregon Commission for the Blind may need to be audited and/or 
reformed, but not eliminated.

As a side note just for your information, there is no i in the word waste.


On Sun, 17 May 2009, The BlindTechs Network wrote:

> Then the Agency shouldn't be spending money of the taxes payers so 
> carelessly!
>
>
> I will be calling and giving them my support of getting rid of the waisteful 
> spending that this Agency has done.
>
> Gabe Vega
> CEO
> The BlindTechs Network
> www.theblindtechsnetwork.com
> info at theblindtechsnetwork.com
> 623-565-9357 (voice)
> (206) 203-4400 (Fax Phone)
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> On May 16, 2009, at 2:30 PM, Michael Hooks (by way of David Andrews 
> <dandrews at visi.com>) wrote:
>
>
> ACTION ALERT:  NOTICE OF POTENTIAL CLOSURE OF THE OREGON COMMISSION FOR THE
> BLIND
>
>
> The Oregon Commission for the Blind was informed by Governor Kulongoski’s
> office on Friday, May 15, 2009 that he is recommending that the Commission
> for the Blind be "suspended" as a result of the economic crisis.  This would
> mean that the agency would cease to operate effective July 1, 2009 and the
> services we provide would somehow be integrated into other programs within
> state government.
>
> We believe that this is not a cost effective decision and that the services
> that the agency provides to blind Oregonians are at great risk if this
> recommendation is carried out.  The Oregon Legislature will be making the
> final decision as to whether or not to continue the Commission for the
> Blind.
>
> The agency provides specialized vocational rehabilitation and independent
> living services to individuals who are blind.  It is the only organization
> in Oregon which provides these services.
>
> Only 11% of the agency budget is provided by state general fund used to
> match federal grants. This represents less than ½ of 1% of the total state
> general/lottery fund budget.
>
> Agency services are cost effective.  Successfully employed agency clients
> pay back the state investment of their rehabilitation program in less than
> 16 months through their tax contributions and create savings in other
> programs such as the Oregon Health Plan and other forms of public
> assistance.
>
> The older blind independent living program helps seniors live independently
> after vision loss and prevents or prolongs the need for seniors to enter
> into assisted living or nursing homes.  Delaying the need for this care by
> even one year can save the state $36,000-$68,000 per individual.
>
>
> The agency felt that it is imperative that we share this information with
> all interested parties so that they can contact the legislature as soon as
> possible.  Contacts should be made immediately with the Ways and Means Human
> Services Sub-committee and the Full Ways and Means Committee as a decision
> could be made within the week.  Included is a contact list for your
> information.
>
> The following contains a list of members of the full committee and
> subcommittee on Human Services.  Following on subsequent pages is the
> contact information for each committee member.
> Ways and Means Full Committee Membership:
> Sen. Margaret Carter, Co-Chair
> Rep. Peter Buckley, Co-Chair
> Sen. Betsy Johnson, Vice-Chair
> Rep. Nancy Nathanson, Vice-Chair
> Sen. Alan C Bates
> Sen. Fred Girod
> Sen. Rod Monroe
> Sen. David Nelson
> Sen. Joanne Verger
> Sen. Vicki L Walker
> Sen. Doug Whitsett
> Sen. Jackie Winters
> Rep. David Edwards
> Rep. Larry Galizio
> Rep. Bill Garrard
> Rep. George Gilman
> Rep. Bob Jenson
> Rep. Betty Komp
> Rep. Tina Kotek
> Rep. Dennis Richardson
> Rep. Chip Shields
> Rep. Greg Smith
>
>
>   Human Services Subcommittee Membership:
>          Sen. Alan C Bates, Co-Chair
>          Rep. Tina Kotek, Co-Chair
>          Sen. Margaret Carter
>          Sen. Jackie Winters
>          Rep. Mitch Greenlick
>          Rep. Bill Kennemer
>          Rep. Dennis Richardson
>          Rep. Carolyn Tomei
> Senator Alan C Bates
> Party: D  District: 3
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1703
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-205, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.alanbates at state.or.us> sen.alanbates at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/bates>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/bates
>
> Representative Peter Buckley
> Party: D  District: 5
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1405
> Interim Phone: 541-488-9180
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-286, Salem,, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 71 Dewey Street , Ashland, OR, 97520
> Email:  <mailto:rep.peterbuckley at state.or.us> reppeterbuckley at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/buckley>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/buckley
>
> Senator Margaret Carter
> Party: D  District: 22
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1722
> Interim Phone: 503-282-6846
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-209, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: PO Box 3722, Portland, OR, 97208
> Email:  <mailto:sen.margaretcarter at state.or.us>
> sen.margaretcarter at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/carter
>
>
>
>
>
> Representative David Edwards
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: D  District: 30
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1430
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-384, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.davidedwards at state.or.us> rep.davidedwards at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/edwardsd>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/edwardsd
>
> Representative Larry Galizio
> Party: D  District: 35
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1435
> Interim Phone: 503-350-0804
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-282, Salem,, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: P.O. Box 231161, Tigard, OR, 97281
> Email:  <mailto:rep.larrygalizio at state.or.us> rep.larrygalizio at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/galizio>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/galizio
>
>
> Representative Bill Garrard
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 56
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1456
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-480, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.billgarrard at state.or.us> rep.billgarrard at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/garrard>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/garrard
>
> Representative George Gilman
> Party: R  District: 55
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1455
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-493, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.georgegilman at state.or.us> rep.georgegilman at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/gilman>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/gilman
>
> Senator Fred Girod
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 9
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1709
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-421, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.fredgirod at state.or.us> sen.fredgirod at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/girod>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/girod
>
>
> Representative Mitch Greenlick
> <http://www.leg.stateor.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&m
> ember-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: D  District: 33
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1433
> Interim Phone: 503-297-2416
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-492, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 712 NW Spring Ave., Portland, OR, 97229
> Email:  <mailto:rep.mitchgreenlick at state.or.us>
> rep.mitchgreenlick at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/greenlick>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/greenlick
>
> Representative Bob Jenson
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 58
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1458
> Interim Phone: 541-276-5821
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-481, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 2126 N. W. Despain Ave., Pendleton, OR, 97801
> Email:  <mailto:rep.bobjenson at state.or.us> rep.bobjenson at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/jenson>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/jenson
>
>
> Senator Betsy Johnson
> Party: D  District: 16
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1716
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-215, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.betsyjohnson at state.or.us> sen.betsyjohnson at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/johnson>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/johnson
>
> Representative Bill Kennemer
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 39
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1439
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-380, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.billkennemer at state.or.us> rep.billkennemer at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/kennemer>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/kennemer
>
> Representative Betty  Komp
> Party: D  District: 22
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1422
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-273, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.bettykomp at state.or.us> rep.bettykomp at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/komp> http://www.leg.state.or.us/komp
>
> Representative Tina Kotek
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: D  District: 44
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1444
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-281, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.tinakotek at state.or.us> rep.tinakotek at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/kotek
>
> Senator Rod Monroe
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: D  District: 24
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1724
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, S-409, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.rodmonroe at state.or.us> sen.rodmonroe at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/monroe>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/monroe
>
> Representative Nancy Nathanson
> Party: D  District: 13
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1413
> Interim Phone: 541-343-2206
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE, H-280, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: PO Box 41895, Eugene, OR, 97404
> Email:  <mailto:rep.nancynathanson at state.or.us>
> rep.nancynathanson at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/nathanson>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/nathanson
>
> Senator David Nelson
> Party: R  District: 29
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1729
> Interim Phone: 541-278-2332
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-211, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 1407 NW Horn Ave., Pendleton, OR, 97801
> Email:  <mailto:sen.davidnelson at state.or.us> sen.davidnelson at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/nelson_david>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/nelson_david
>
> Representative Dennis Richardson
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=representative&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 4
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1404
> Interim Phone: 541-601-0083
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-373, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 55 South 5th St., Central Point, OR, 97502
> Email:  <mailto:rep.dennisrichardson at state.or.us>
> rep.dennisrichardson at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/richardson>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/richardson
>
> Representative Chip Shields
> Party: D  District: 43
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1443
> Interim Phone: 503-231-2564
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE, H-276, Salem,, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 5313 N. Vancouver Ave., Portland, OR, 97217
> Email:  <mailto:rep.chipshields at state.or.us> rep.chipshields at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/shieldsc
>
> Representative Greg Smith
> Party: R  District: 57
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1457
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-482, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:rep.gregsmith at state.or.us> rep.gregsmith at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/smithg>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/smithg
>
> Representative Carolyn Tomei
> Party: D  District: 41
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1441
> Interim Phone: 503-653-5180
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., H-279, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 11907 SE 19th Ave., Milwaukie, OR, 97222
> Email:  <mailto:rep.carolyntomei at state.or.us> rep.carolyntomei at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/tomei>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/tomei
>
> Senator Joanne Verger
> Party: D  District: 5
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1705
> Interim Phone: 541-756-4140
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-401, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 3696 Broadway PMB 344, North Bend, OR, 97459
> Email:  <mailto:sen.joanneverger at state.or.us> sen.joanneverger at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/verger>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/verger
>
>
>
>
>
> Senator Vicki L Walker
> Party: D  District: 7
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1707
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-309, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.vickiwalker at state.or.us> sen.vickiwalker at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/walker
>
> Senator Doug Whitsett
> Party: R  District: 28
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1728
> Interim Phone: 541-882-1315
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St NE., S-303, Salem, OR, 97301
> Interim Address: 23131 North Poe Valley Rd., Klamath Falls, OR, 97603
> Email:  <mailto:sen.dougwhitsett at state.or.us> sen.dougwhitsett at state.or.us
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/whitsett
>
> Senator Jackie Winters
> <http://www.leg.state.or.us/servlet/XSLT?URL=members.xml&xslURL=members.xsl&
> member-type=senator&sort-by=district#top>
> Party: R  District: 10
> Capitol Phone: 503-986-1710
> Capitol Address: 900 Court St. NE., S-301, Salem, OR, 97301
> Email:  <mailto:sen.jackiewinters at state.or.us> sen.jackiewinters at state.or.us
>
> Website:  <http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters>
> http://www.leg.state.or.us/winters
>
>
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