December 8, 2009
Submitted by Anonymous on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 2:40pm.
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The GO! Bulletin December 8, 2009
What's in this issue:
The answer to the question of whether we are legally allowed to take positions on Ballot Measures is YES. A 501c3 is allowed to take positions on ballot measures. We are not allowed to take positions on candidates running for office. Why does the DD Coalition care about these Measures? The DD Coalition is comprised of nearly 30 organizations representing individuals with developmental disabilities, families, providers, and advocacy groups focused on issues of importance to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Ballot Measures 66 & 67 will affect the DD community profoundly and it is important that our voice is heard. Services for people with developmental disabilities have already been cut and additional cuts will be devastating.
The DD Coalition believes that individuals with developmental disabilities, families, and those who provide support and services have a right to know about and participate in the decisions that will affect their lives. The outcome of the vote on Measures 66 & 67 will overwhelmingly affect the DD community and the quality of life for all Oregonians.
For these reasons, the DD Coalition urges you to get informed, educate your friends and neighbors, and Vote Yes on Measures 66 &67.
Margaret Theisen, Chair OUR VOTES MATTER Many people do not realize yet that on January 26, Oregonians will be asked to vote on two very significant Initiatives. Measures 66 and 67 were revenue proposals passed by the Legislature to fill a hole of almost $800 million dollars in the funding for Oregon’s schools, human services, and public safety programs. Voters will now need to decide whether to support those revenue proposals. What will these Measures do? · Increase the corporate minimum tax for the first time since 1931 from $10 to $150 dollars. · Increase the tax rate on corporate profits above $250,000 by 1.3% · Increase the tax rate on personal income above $250,000 for couples by 1.8% · How will these Measures affect business? · Will these Measures affect you? Existing data projects that 97.5% of taxpayers will not see their taxes increased. Oregon will still remain in the bottom 5 states for corporate tax obligations. Why should you care about these Measures? Fairview Community Housing Trust Fund. Dollars originally from sale of Fairview and the interest is used for housing adaptations to keep people in their own (or family) homes. Once this funding is taken, it will never be replaced. $13 Million in Trust Funds All Employment and Community Inclusion Services: Would eliminate employment programs. People in residential programs would have to stay at home 24/7. This would take Oregon back to institutional care at its worst. This cut would eliminate services and jobs for over 5,000 individuals with developmental disabilities and eliminate employment for thousands of staff. $ 7m GF = $30m TF Eliminate all DD Non Medical Transportation: Individuals with developmental disabilities in group homes would have no access to transportation funding. This will impact TriMet and other transportation agencies. $2m GF = $10m TF. Eliminate all DD Adult Support Services through Brokerages: This would put the Staley Settlement agreement at risk and eliminate services to over 5,000 individuals and families. This cut would eliminate employment for over 6,000 individuals working in the field providing supports and services. $12m GF = $31m TF Eliminate Personal Care Services:This cut would eliminate program that provides up to 20 hours a month in support to individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. $1.4 m GF = $3.5 TF The reductions above are just some of those identified specifically to impact people with developmental disabilities and their families. There are other reductions and similar horrific reductions in the Oregon Health Plan, services to seniors, children and families in the protective services programs, low income families receiving Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, and mental health. Local school districts are bracing for loss of staff and program reductions. Specialized Transportation would see significant reductions. To view proposed reductions check the Legislative Fiscal Office and click on Budget reduction options. Please remember that these reductions are in addition to significant reductions made in the last legislative session that have already reduced services to individuals with developmental disabilities and families. What can you do? Register to vote. Get the facts! Get informed on the issues and how they will affect you and the people you care about. Get Involved! Talk to your family, neighbors and friends. Get everyone you know on the Oregon Disability Network , the communcation network for people with developmental disability community. Vote! Register to Vote before January 5, 2009. Register to vote on line: www.Oregonvotes.orgor your local elections office. Guide to voting for an individual with disabilities or assisting and individual with disabilities to vote. Get informed. See what other groups have to say about Measures 66 &67 Election Calendar December 30 - January 1 Voters’ pamphlet delivered to households Voter registration deadline Ballots mailed to voters other than long-term absentee and out of state voters (who received them earlier) Election day Your Input Is Needed Many of you attended the Direct Support Training Sites funded by a grant from Seniors and People with Disabilities and delivered by the DD Coalition last year. We have the opportunity to deliver more trainings between now and May and are seeking input from you! If you are an organization, we want to hear about what your organization does best to train your staff and your greatest training needs, or the training needs of your customers, domestic employees or direct support staff. If you are a family member or self advocate who hires or receives services, we want to hear from you. Please take a few minutes to complete this survey. Results of the survey will help us design the next Training Series on Direct Supports brought to you by the Oregon DD Coalition. This survey will close on December 18, 2009. Click here to take the survey. Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities and The Arc of Oregon are pleased to announce that the poster promoting respectful language "Some Words Do Hurt" is now available as a 4x6 postcard. When you hear the "R" word spoken or see it in print, you can use this postcard to let people know how you feel. Space is provided for writing a personalized message. Send postcards to the media, public officials, neighbors, or anyone who needs educating about respectful language. To order postcards, contact the Council at 503-945-9941, or visit the OCDD website. Shipping and handling fees do apply. The Oregon Commission on Autism Spectrum Disorders website is now available. The website will provide information on the activities of the Commission and the various Subcommittees working to address the issues experiencing Autism Spectrum Disorders and their families in Oregon. Click here to visit the site. This email was sent to you in HTML format, with graphics and color. If you are seeing only text, change your email settings to receive HTML email or check with your email administrator. If you are receiving the email with the graphics and the color, and want the plain text version instead (which will download faster), click on the link below to change your preferences. |
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