October, 2005
October is National Disability Awareness Month. Disability organizations will be holding a wide variety of events to recognize people with disabilities to educate people without disabilities about our needs, desires and achievements. I like to think of Disability Awareness month as an opportunity for those of us with disabilities to educate ourselves and to take responsibility for our own role in obtaining what we need, and in making positive achievements in our lives.
I've been learning about the propositions on the ballot for the upcoming Special Election, and there are a few ballot measures that will impact us significantly. I'll focus on just a couple of them here.
Proposition 75-Public Employee Union Dues
This proposition would require that public employee unions (for teachers, firefighters, nurses and home care providers) obtain written consent from their members and non-members before the Union would be allowed to use their dues for political purposes. So, what's a political purpose? In this context, it could be supporting or opposing a political candidate or issue.
The disability community opposes this proposition asserting, it was drafted in response to recent Sacramento demonstrations by teachers, and home care workers to oppose the Governor's proposed budget cuts to schools and healthcare. Opponents think requiring consent from union members ties up funding in a lengthy process, destroying the Union's ability to take political action that would protect their members.
Proponents assert, public employee union members need more control about how their dues are spent and many members do not support the political agenda of their leaders.
Proposition 76-State Budget and School Funding
This proposition would amend the State Constitution to make several changes to the budget process. It grants the Governor greater authority to cut State spending. If revenues fall just 1.5 % below projections for the year, the Legislature would have 45 days to solve the problem, but if the Governor and the Legislature could not agree on a solution, the Governor could cut State programs, such as Medi-Cal, and In Home Supportive Services, at any time, and by any amount that he chooses in order to balance the budget.
After being cut, a program could only be funded at the "cut" level even if revenues increase. The Budget for future years would be based on the spending for the prior year and an average of the revenues from the previous years. For those of you out there going...Huh?? Trust me... I'm right there with you. I think this proposition was worded in a way to make it confusing for the voter because if you really understood it you'd see how scary it really is...
Additionally, this proposition would change how the minimum funding level for schools and community colleges established by Proposition 98 is calculated. Resulting in a $4 billion cut to education funding for future years. People with disabilities and many others would be adversely affected if severe cuts were made to the programs they need. The structure of this new spending limit would not allow revenues to be restored to programs from which they were originally cut.
Proponents indicate that this proposition will prohibit the State from overspending and force the State to live within its means. Whatever your position, it takes more than awareness to make a difference. It takes action. Make your voice heard on November 8th... VOTE!
For more information on these and the other ballot measures consult:
| www.smartvoter.org | Smart Voter |
| www.easyvoter.org | Easy Voter Project |
| http://ca.lwv.org | League of Women Voters |
| www.cfilc.org | California Foundation for Independent Living Centers |