Capitol News: February 12
Stay informed about CTD's activities at the Capitol during the 83rd Texas Legislature with our Capitol News update on our advocacy page. Each week, we'll discuss bills that we're tracking, opportunities for you to act and participate, and our advocacy efforts both inside and outside the Capitol complex.
Each legislative session, CTD works on a variety of issues, from healthcare to accessible voting to civil rights (see our Legislative Report archive), and we have to prioritize. In 2013, our top concerns are the State Budget and maintaining funding for services and Medicaid. Other priority items include
- Managed care regulation. Last summer, Molina Healthcare made a staggering decision to cut reimbursement rates and services, which prompted an outcry from the disability community, including CTD and our partners. We're taking steps with legislators to prevent this from happening again. Read more about the Molina cuts here
- Attendant wage increase. We're pushing for our lowest wage attendants to get a modest wage increase to $8.50 per hour. In fact, early this week, CTD testified at the House of Representatives in support of a decent wage for personal attendants.
- ADA Sovereign Immunity. Did you know that Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has claimed sovereign immunity from the Americans with Disabilities Act in several lawsuits against the State? Alarming, but true. In this session, CTD continues our fight to waive Texas' immunity from the ADA.
Keep track of these items and other bills on our Advocacy page.
Even when we're not at the Capitol, CTD staff is engaged in advocacy activities. Last week, Executive Director Dennis Borel returned from a trip to Washington, D.C., where he met with new Texas members of the U.S. Congress: Veasey, Vela, Williams, Weber, Gallego, Stockman, Castro, Cruz and O'Rourke. Topics up for discussion included Medicaid, access to medicines, and getting a person with a disability on the new National Long Term Services and Supports Council. Around Austin, staff has been preparing for our upcoming Annual Convention and the associated Texas Medicaid Matters March and Rally.
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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed, citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.”
- Margaret Mead
