Positions Cut and Restructuring in DAIL

 On Wednesday afternoon the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living announced the elimination of five positions – the Consumer Development Coordinator (the only full-time position for Green Mountain Self-Advocates), the Blind Service Program Chief, a Nurse Surveyor, an Administrative Assistant, and a Case Aide position in Brattleboro. Most of these positions are central office positions and two in particular have a major impact on disability services.  As a result of the Division for the Blind and Visually Impaired position cut, Joan Senecal, commissioner of DAIL, has also decided to fold DBVI into the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation. Blind Services staff will now report to Fred Jones, the Director of the Division for the Blind, who will now become the Director of the new unit in VR. DBVI service funds will remain dedicated to individuals who are blind or partially sighted.  This morning I attended a meeting about the impact of the GMSA position cut. The loss of this program is expected to be catastrophic to GMSA and to self advocacy activities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. As one person said, the modest amount of money for this position has been a bargain, given the the support and training offered to self advocates and providers. A petition has been created and posted at the Web. To sign the petition, click on the link below. If for any reason this does not work for you, try pasting the link in your browser. The petition is listed as "Green Mountain Self Advocates Staff" and is hosted on the Web by a free online petition service, at: http://www.PetitionOnline.com/GMSA2009/ VCDR sends our sympathy and respect to the individuals whose jobs are affected and we will continue to advocate for the positions and programs that make dignity, independence, employment and self determination possible. These are only a few of the many position cuts that have been made in state agencies and nonprofit organizations serving individuals with disabilities and Deaf Vermonters. At a meeting this morning on the elimination of the position that supports GMSA, people talked about this loss as a failure of values and vision. The loss of positions like the the GMSA and the Blind Services ones and related structural changes, as well as the loss of the Deaf Services Coordinator position last spring raise serious concerns about the capacity of state programs to effectively work with and promote dignity, independence, employment and equal opportunities for the broad range of individuals and families that turn to DAIL for support. We ask individuals and families concerned about any of these cuts and their impact on needed services, to please share your stories and comments with both VCDR and with members of the Administration.  

As we hear more about other reductions or related action, we will let you know.

Opportunities to Comment on Extension of the Choices for Care Waiver

Public Hearing Oct. 8th; Written Comments Due October 22, 2009

The State of Vermont Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living is seeking comments from interested parties regarding the extension of the Choices for Care Long Term Care Medicaid Waiver.

The Choices for Care Waiver Program was established in October, 2005 as a five year demonstration to provide Medicaid long term care services in Vermont. The major program goals are to provide choice and equal access to different long term care settings (Home Based, Enhanced Residential Care, and Nursing Home services) by Medicaid-eligible Vermonters; to serve more people; and to create a balanced delivery system for long-term care. The State of Vermont now seeks to extend the Choices for Care Medicaid Waiver for an additional three years.

Public Hearing: A public hearing will be held on October 8, at 1:00 in the Skylight Conference Room of the Agency of Human Services in the Waterbury State Office complex. The hearing will be presided over by the Department's Advisory Board. Written comments may be sent to Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, 103 South Main Street, Weeks Building, Waterbury, VT 05671-1601 Attn: Choices for Care, or via the Internet at http://www.ddas.vermont.gov/contact-info. For more information contact Adele Edelman at 802.241.2402.

Timeline for Written Comments: Please note that you may submit written comments regarding the Choices for Care extension up to October, 22, 2009. Please send them to my attention. Thank you.

Adèle Edelman
Director, Adult Services Unit
103 South Main Street
Waterbury, VT 05671-1601
802-241-2402
802-241-2629 fax
Adele.Edelman@AHS.state.vt.us

Legislative Committees at August and September Activities

Our thanks to Karen Layfayette for her notes on recent meetings of the joint fiscal and health oversight committees.


Health Access Oversight

The Health Access Oversight Committee has convened a subcommittee to follow up on concerns about the fact that funds available for the Choices for Care Waiver were not not spent on individuals served by the Choices for Care program and were used to cover other parts of the budget shortfall. The next meeting of the subcommittee is scheduled for September 30 at 9:30. Background information on the issues and concerns that led to the creation of this subcommittee are included at the end of this update (see below).

Joint Fiscal Committee Update on Rescissions.
The Joint Fiscal Committee held a Public Hearing on August 18th for the purpose of hearing testimony on the proposed rescissions submitted at the August 5th JFC meeting. The testimony centered around two of the proposals discussed in a previous alert concerning the adjustment in the Choices for Care program (a $731,000 balance to "carry forward" from 2009 to the 2010 budget in the long-term care program) and the labor savings of $ 7.4 million.

From the rescission documents:
"Sec. B.308 (listed above) - Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - long term care waiver. This is a base reduction of $731,372 that will be covered by carry forward funds in the long term care program. There is no programmatic impact."

The people who testified on the Choices for Care made points about the initial waiver and the choices it was suppose to be providing people. Testifiers suggested that not spending the money in the program would create overall pressure in the Long Term Care waiver, challenging the state made by the administration that there is "no programmatic impact." The point was made that the total lost is $2.4 million by not spending the $731, 372 in the 2009 budget, because of federal match money lost.

Questions were brought up concerning:

Why was all the money not spent in the program, when there is a waiting list for services and other ways the money could be used to address the needs in the program?

Are there issues with the evaluation and/or enrollments of people in the program?

Why is the money not being reinvested in the program services as called for in the Long Term Care Waiver Legislation of Act 56 in 2005? (See below)

Legislative Documents Long Term Care Waiver Legislation - Act 56 from the 2005 session states:
"Sec. 1 (C) (2) (g) Any savings realized due to the implementation of the long-term care Medicaid 1115 waiver shall be retained by the department and reinvested into providing home- and community based services under the waiver. If at any time the agency reapplies for a Medicaid waiver to provide these services, it shall include a provision in the waiver that any savings shall be reinvested.
(h) "Long-term care" means care or services received by an individual in a nursing home, or through home- and community based services designed to assist older Vermonters and people with disabilities to remain independent and avoid inappropriate institutionalization. "Home- and community based services" include:..."

The administration suggested that the legislature would have to pass language to "notwithstand" the Act 56 language in their (the administration's) efforts to not spend more money in the program by reinvesting the $731,372. This would be a policy change in the existing law.

In final action by the Joint Fiscal Committee, the legislators agreed to the rescission plan proposed by the administration including the carry forward for the choices for care, but suggested that because the money was not spent, they wanted to examine the reasons why and look at some of the issues surrounding Choices for Care. They created a subcommittee to oversee the Choices for Care funding.

The committee made clear that the Choices for Care program is "level" funded for the 2010m budget year.

JFO Committee Action on Choices for Care:

1. Choices for Care

Administration Proposal:
Sec. B.308. Office of Vermont Health Access - Medicaid Program - Long-term Care Waiver. This is a base reduction of $731,372 that will be covered by carry forward funds in the long-term care program. There is no programmatic impact.

Committee Action:

The Joint Fiscal Committee is approving the reversion of FY 2009 carry forward from the Choices for Care program. It is the Committees understanding and intent that the FY 2010 appropriation remains at its fully funded level. Further, the Committee recognizes the need for statutory notwithstanding language to effect this one-time funding reversion.

The committee is concerned over the reasons that the FY 2009 expenditures were below budgeted levels. Specifically the committee has concerns about:

*Waiting list length in various regions.
*Individuals are on both the Moderate Needs and High Needs waiting lists.
*What other various services differences exist across regions of the state?
*Are there intentional roadblocks to service provision to create carry forward availability and are administrative rules the factor that led to under spending?

The Joint Fiscal Committee will appoint four members and request that the Health Access Oversight Committee appoint two members to form a subcommittee for CFC funding oversight.

Between now and December 2009, the subcommittee will review the allocation and expenditure of current year funding in the CFC appropriation in meetings with the administration and institutional, home, and community based long-term care service providers. In addition, the subcommittee shall review and discuss issues relating to the PACE programs in the state.

Links to JFO Committee actions approved:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/Appropriations/248995-v1-committee_modifications_and_com.pdf

Link to JFO Committee action on labor savings:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/Appropriations/248998-v2-employee_statement.pdf

Health Access Oversight Committee on Waiver for Long Term Care:
At the Health Access Oversight Committee Meeting held on August 19th testimony was taken on the Long Term Care/Choices for Care Waiver (the HAOC charge). The committee heard from the Health Care Ombudsman Office about complaints associated with the Choices for Care program.
The Committee (HAOC) also chose Representative Ann Pugh, Chair of House Human Services Committee and Senator Jane Kitchel, Senate Appropriation's Vice Chair ("or their designees") to serve on the committee along with others created by the Joint Fiscal Committee to look into the Choices for Care program.
Question arose during the Joint Fiscal rescission process about why there was $731,372 in the Choices for Care program that was "available" to carry over to the 2010 budget and the reasons for why the funds were not used.
From the Ombudsman's Office:

To: Health Access Oversight Committee
From: Jackie Majoros, State long Term Care Ombudsman
Re: Choices for Care
Date: August 19, 2009

The Vermont Long Term Care Ombudsman Project advocates for individuals who receive long term care services in facilities and in the community through Choices for Care. We help individuals resolve complaints about their care and services. We also monitor and comment on laws, regulations, and procedures involving long-term care services in Vermont.

During the past year (July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009), we received 102 complaints concerning individuals who receive CFC in community based settings.

We have the following concerns about the CFC program. We hope that these concerns will be addressed in any waiver renewal.

1. There are 72 people on the high needs waiting list. The original goal of CFC had been to serve everyone in the long-term care setting of their choice. The high needs waiting list was a "safety net" in the unlikely event that demand exceeded funding. Now the waiting list is a permanent fixture in the program.

2. Savings have not been reinvested in services. Once again, savings have been diverted from the program. The commitment to reinvest savings is a core principal of the current waiver. At a minimum, this failure to reinvest results in waiting lists for both the high and moderate needs group.

3. Savings result, in part, from the Department's unduly restrictive interpretation of its own rules.

- It appears that the department is interpreting the eligibility criteria more strictly and fewer individuals are assessed at highest needs;

- The LTCCC often challenges the service plans developed by the client, case manager, and nurse;

- At reassessment, the department decreases services when there has been no change in the individual's condition or circumstances; and

- In April, the department implemented a new application process. Many case mangers and advocates believe that this new process discourages individuals form applying because they must complete a cumbersome financial application before they even know if they are highest needs

4. There has been a steady decrease in enrollment, even though there is still an unmet demand for services.

- The waiting lists discourage individuals from applying;

- The new application process discourages applicants;

- The LTCCCs stricter interpretation of the eligibility criteria results in fewer individuals qualifying for services.

5. ERC is an integral part of the waiver, yet most facilities with ERC beds have not been inspected in over four years. Individuals on ERC meet the nursing home level of care. They have significant medical needs, yet the state does not have the resources to inspect these facilities to make sure that they are providing appropriate care and services.

Individuals on the waiver are among the frailest and most vulnerable in our state. The waiver renewal process must take a realistic look at what we have been able to accomplish over the past several years and where we have failed. This is the only way that we will be able to meet the needs of individuals who need long term care services in Vermont

Congress is on Break But our Senators and Representatives  Are Busy Here in Vermont.

Take This Opportunity to Speak Out on Health Care Reform

Senators Leahy and Sanders and Representative Welch are home this month and are reaching out to Vermonters. Contact their office to talk with them or their staff and visit their websites to find out about their schedule and meetings in your area.

Both Senator Leahy and Senator Sanders and Representative Welch want to hear Vermonter's views on health care. If you are concerned about including affordable and flexible long term care benefits in health care reform, or if you want to talk about the health care you need, contact them by phone, mail or through their websites. Here are some specific opportunities VCDR has heard about. Others can be found in your local papers or on their websites.

Leahy Unveils Online Health Care Feature

For Vermonters to Share Stories, Views

On Health Issues and Reform Plans

August 12) -- Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) this week posted an expanded webpage on health care reform on his Senate website.  The new feature offers Vermonters up-to-date information on health care reform plans currently before Congress and invites Vermonters to submit questions and comments to Leahy on each of the proposals.  Vermonters can access this webpage at http://leahy.senate.gov/issues/health/VermontVoices.html 

Sen. Bernie Sanders Holds Town Meetings on Health Care  

Aug 15th and Aug 23rd

Join Sen. Sanders at these important town meetings and share your concerns about health care, long term care and related disability services

Rutland: Sat. August 15th, Rutland Unitarian Universalist Church, 117 West Street, Rutland. Free Brunch at 9:30 am. Meeting at 10:00 am.

Arlington: Sat. August 15th . The Pavilion at the Arlington Recreation Park, 148 Rec Park Road, Arlington. Free BBQ Lunch at 12:30 pm. Meeting at 1:00 pm

Peacham: Sun. August 23rd, Peacham Congregational Church, 56 Church St, Peacham. Free Dinner at 5:30 pm. Meeting at 6:00 pm.

What follows is information from Joint Fiscal with VCDR notes in bold. Concerned Vermonters are encouraged to send written comments or to attend the public hearing on August 18th. Our thanks to Karen Lafayette for preparing this summary.

If you do testify or prepare written comments, it would be very helpful if you could send a copy to VCDR or highlight your concerns in an email at vcdrvt@gmail.com or from our website http://www.vcdr.org/. You can also send us a note at VCDR, 11 East State Street, Suite 2, Montpelier, VT 05602. Thank you!

VCDR Information Alert on Joint Fiscal Activities and Information on the August 18th Public Hearing

The Administration presented its plan to reduce the 2010 budget by $28 million, at the August 5^th Joint Fiscal Committee Meeting. The reductions are necessary due to the State revenue downgrade in July. A link to those documents is included.

*****It appears as if the administration and key members of the legislature worked together on coming up with finding a resolution to the deficit identified. The $28 million dollar reduction in the 2010 budget is achieved through:

Reductions in state government & estimated savings totaling $10.8 million dollars, a general fund carry forward of $6.8 million, a further reduction in labor cost ($ 7.4 million), some fund transfers, other revenues, and direct applications.

*****For the "most part", Human Services areas of state government were spared direct "cuts", and instead achieve reductions in some human service areas with assuming "savings",  estimated reductions in need/caseloads and carryforwards and fund transfers.

Most of the reductions in human services (however achieved) are in the area of the Office of Vermont Health Access, Medicaid, Global Commitment, Mental Health, and Choices for Care and others. The complete effects of some of these delays, applying for federal waivers, and assumed savings are not yet known.

The big "unknown" is how the reduction in the state workforce will be achieved ($7.4 Million)  and the effect on services for Vermonters it might have, if it means a reduction in the workforce.

*****Both groups agreed on not spending down reserves (rainy day funds) at this time as other downgrades are expected before the next legislative session (remember many rescissions took place last year in December.) The expected combined shortfall for 2010, 2011, & 2012 is $259 million dollars.

Here is the Link to the Administration's proposal to address the $28 million dollar deficit:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/Appropriations/2010%20Rescission%20Proposal%20to%20JFC%20080509.pdf

For the most part, additional direct cuts to Human Services in DCF and DAIL were spared. The term "reduction" below references that there are no "direct cuts" or programmatic reductions in theses areas below:

*****There are NO MORE reductions to developmental services proposed.

*****There are NO MORE reductions proposed in grants and or contracts that were reduced by $740,000 last month, as part of the "Grant Reductions" called for in the 2010, budget in DCF & DAIL.

*****There are NO MORE   reductions proposed in "Provider Rate" reductions that sustained a previous $2% cut in the 2010 budget passed.

In a few areas of these specified human service areas there are some reductions in funding detailed, but the administration contends that these reductions will have no programmatic effect because they are achieved through caseload reduction estimates, transfers of where funding comes from (some ARRA), and savings from certain policy changes (see document for explanations of theses sections below).

Child development, Sec.B.318

Child Support, Sec. B. 319

Reach Up, Sec. B.323

Family Services, Secv.B.317

Vocational Rehabilitation, Sec.B.332

The "reductions" to Mental health services total about $588 K. Again the administration contend that most will not have a small or negligible impact on services. They are as follows:

Second Spring Residential Recovery $100,000

Pre-Admission Screening for Resident Review prior to nursing home admission $20,000

Consultation on the Futures Project $25,000

CRT Inpatient Services due to history of underutilization $200,000

Private Non-Medicaid Institutions (PNMI) due to history of underutilization $200,000

DCF Collaboration due to underutilization $43,000

VSH Electronic Medical Record (EMR) expansion delay $136,000

Sections  B.301, B.307, B.308 , B.309 B.312 all detail the reductions, expected savings, policy changes, waivers and use of carry forward dollars and others, in Health Care, Global Commitment, Medicaid and Pharmacy programs where most of the "big" money "savings" is achieved for the most part.

Secretary's Office - Global Commitment -  B.301  ($5.12 Million) Part of that Catamount  ($747K)

OVHA, B.307 - Medicaid - Global Commitment (Pharmacy rebates,

V-Pharm waiver and other totaling $2.91 Million )

OVHA, B.308 - Medicaid - Long Term Care waiver ($731K)

OVHA, B.309  - Medicaid - State only, V-Pharm waiver ($3.86 Million)

From Rescission Document:

"Sec. B.308 (listed above) - Office of Vermont health access - Medicaid program - long term care waiver. This is a base reduction of $731,372 that will be covered by carry forward funds in the long  term care program. There is no programmatic impact."

Legislative Documents Long Term Care Waiver Legislation - Act 56 from the 2005 session states: Sec. 1 (C) (2)

(g)  Any savings realized due to the implementation of the long-term care Medicaid 1115 waiver shall be retained by the department and reinvested into providing home- and community‑based services under the waiver.  If at any time the agency reapplies for a Medicaid waiver to provide these services, it shall include a provision in the waiver that any savings shall be reinvested.

(h)  "Long-term care" means care or services received by an individual in a nursing home, or through home- and community‑based services designed to assist older Vermonters and people with disabilities to remain independent and avoid inappropriate institutionalization.  "Home- and community‑based services" include

The Finance secretary, Jim Reardon seemed to be saying at the meeting that they would have to "notwithstand" the language in this bill that requires reinvestment of savings in the home and community care based system.

Mark Larson asked about the "waiting list" for choices for care. This puts "high needs" applicants on a list when there is not enough funding to pay for their care plus the care for people who are already on the program or "highest need." 

Some healthcare advocates suggest that there are 74 plus people on this list now, and using the carry forward/savings money from 2009 plus the federal match for this money would put over $2 million into the program and could fund many of these slots.

Sec. B.202. Defender general - public defense

The Defender General avoids reductions in existing staff to meet this target by delaying filling vacant attorney positions and non-attorney staff positions as well as reducing hours of an accountant and 2 Prisoner Rights Attorneys, and eliminating out of state travel funding. The reduction in the prisoner rights hours will have some impact on ability to serve clients and will be problematic if continued over long term.

A public hearing will be held on August 18^th at the State House at 12:30 PM.  After the hearing, the Joint Fiscal Committee will vote to accept, amend, or disapprove the proposal.  Specific information will be posted of the Joint Fiscal Office web site.

The Chair of the Joint Fiscal Committee has sent out a notice for folks to be able to comment on this next round of rescission and/or testify at there Public Hearing Scheduled for August 18th (link included). Here is an excerpt from that letter:

 "The Legislative Joint Fiscal Committee invites you to review this plan, attend our August 18th public hearing {to sign-up: tutton@leg.state.vt.us} and submit any written comments prior to that hearing. As you submit these comments, be aware that we must address a $28 million shortfall as soon as possible. In the upcoming fiscal year, beginning in July of 2010, the shortfall
grows to over $90 million. See five-year chart:
                  http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/Appropriations/GF%20five%20year%20cliff%20analysis.pd

 If your recommendation is to not take a specific action in the plan, the Committee would be very interested in what alternatives you might suggest other actions to achieve needed savings."

To sign-up to testify for the August 18th Public Hearing or to submit written comments, contact:

Theresa Utton-Jerman, Joint Fiscal Office

Phone: 828-5767 or 828-2295

tutton@leg.state.vt.us

Fax: 828-2483

Good News: Harmful Federal Medicaid Regulations Recinded


MEDICAID NEWS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                  

CONTACT:    CMS
Media Affairs Office

Monday, June 29, 2009
(202) 690-6145



HHS RESCINDS MEDICAID REGULATIONS



Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Kathleen
Sebelius today announced that the administration will rescind all or
part of three Medicaid regulations that were previously issued and delay
the enforcement of a fourth regulation.  Each of these rules, in whole
or in part, had been subject to Congressional moratoria set to expire on
July 1, 2009.


"These regulations, if left in place would have potentially adverse
consequences for Medicaid beneficiaries, some of our nation's most
vulnerable people," said Secretary Sebelius.  "By rescinding these
rules, we can expect that children will continue receiving services
through their schools, beneficiaries will be able to access all
available case management resources to help them better manage their
health care, and outpatient hospital and clinic services can continue to
be covered in the most efficient manner."


"The actions we are taking today are necessary to ensure that the states
have the flexibility they need to fully serve Medicaid-eligible
individuals," said Secretary Sebelius.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and HHS today are:


*         Rescinding a final rule, published December 28, 2007, that
would have eliminated reimbursement for school-based administrative
costs and costs of transportation to and from schools.  The rescission
reflects concern that the rule could limit the Medicaid administrative
outreach activities of schools, and that the overall budgetary impact on
schools could potentially impact their ability to offer Medicaid
services to students.

*         Rescinding a rule, published November 7, 2008, that would have
limited the outpatient hospital and clinic service benefit for Medicaid
beneficiaries to the scope of services recognized as an outpatient
hospital service under Medicare.  This rule was rescinded because CMS
became aware that coverage beyond that scope could not be easily moved
to other benefit categories, resulting in great impact than previously
anticipated.

*         Rescinding provisions of an interim final rule published
December 4, 2007, which would have restricted beneficiary access to case
management services. These provisions appeared to, in practice, restrict
beneficiary access to needed covered case management services, and limit
state flexibility in determining efficient and effective delivery
systems for case management services.

*         Delaying until June 30, 2010, the enforcement of portions of a
regulation that clarified limitations on health care related tax
programs so that CMS could determine whether states need additional
clarification or guidance.  CMS may also further review the potential
impact of the regulation, and give additional consideration to
alternative approaches.

 

VCDR Legislative Informational Alert on the Budget 2

From: Mary Claire Carroll

The Legislature passed H.441 or the FY 2010 budget on May 9 of this year just before they adjourned for year.   Within days Governor Jim Douglas started to talk about a possible veto saying that the legislature had not made the tough choices he had asked them to make at the beginning of this legislative session.  Last week he called the legislature back for a special session on Tuesday, June 2.  Early this week, as I noted in an earlier update, the Governor put together his own proposal, as an alternative to H.441.

We know that the legislature made some difficult choices during the session.  Although they protected some programs that VCDR and its members depend on, others, at the very end of the session, received cuts in funding.   Everyone suffered with the 2% cuts for providers and contracts.  In the last few days of the session it was clear that the budget would be a document that as Senator Susan Bartlett said, “everyone would hate”.    For legislative leadership H.441 was a balanced and reasonable budget that asked everyone to sacrifice. It was also clear that leadership had to work hard to gain House and Senate support for passage of the budget.

 With the special session scheduled for June 2, and the introduction of the Governor’s proposal full of cuts that would shred the ‘safety net’ of benefit programs and human services, VCDR and other advocates feel it is time to ask the legislature to override the Governor’s veto.

It is time not only to contact your legislators and urge them to take action, but it also time to encourage your supporters and friends to write letters to the editor and editorials supporting the legislature’s FY2010 budget.   The letters could focus on the tough choices that have already been made and how damaging further cuts would be.  This is the time to talk about Vermont values and our pride in taking good care of the most vulnerable Vermonters.  Finally focus on encouraging Vermonters to contact their legislators and push for an override.

I have enclosed links to a nine-page summary from the legislature of their 2010 budget.  I have enclosed a link to the JFO website that has all the budget documents.  There is a link to the legislative directory on the Legislature web site, and a link to the Voices for Vermont Children web site.  Their site has a detailed description of the history of this budget’s development. 

To briefly summarize the action asked for in both yesterday and today’s alert:

1)   Attend either of the public hearings on May 27 and May 28 at the Statehouse from 1 to 4pm.

2)   Contact your own legislators and urge them to override the veto.

3)   Write your own letters to the editor and editorials supporting the legislature’s budget and encourage supporters and friends to do the same

We will send out further analysis and updates as we receive the information. 

Link to a nine-page description of the highlights of the Legislature’s FY2010 budget.

http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/assets/pdf/BT135124519.PDF

 Link to appropriations documents on joint fiscal office web site

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/Appropriations.htm

Link to Legislative web site and the contact information for Legislators:

http://www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/legdir2.htm

 Link to Voices for VT Children web site and their budget

Analysis.

http://www.voicesforvtkids.org/news/spotlight-on-the-legislative-session/