The House Health and Human Service Finance Committee heard testimony on the Best Life Alliance’s legislation to stop the 7% cut this last Tuesday. Chair of the Best Life Alliance, Judy Mader, provided compelling testimony as to the need to STOP THE CUT this legislative session. The bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the House Health and Human Service Omnibus bill, which we anticipate being released this week.
Additionally, last Thursday the House released their budget targets. Budget targets are what each committee uses when putting together their omnibus bills. Historically, targets for Health and Human Services have been $0 or even a cut, this year however the budget target is $10 million, specifically highlighting using those dollars to fix the potential 7% cut.
It is important to mention that when presenting the budget targets, Rep. Jim Knoblach, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee made note that the reason the 7% fix is included in their target is because of the “high volume of contacts legislators are receiving” — your actions are making a difference!
Looking ahead to this week, both the House and Senate will be releasing their omnibus spending bills. As soon as ARRM has the opportunity to review the bills we will provide and update to members. Following the release of those bills, please watch for ways that you can support ARRM and the Best Life Alliance in ensuring that the 7% fix is made a priority in the final 5 weeks of session.
Please contact me with any questions.
-- Sara Grafstrom, Director of Government Relations and Member Advocacy