PCPA Lobby Day a SuccessOver 350 providers, staff, consumers/persons in recovery, and families gathered at the Capitol on Tuesday, May 13 for the 2003 PCPA Lobby Day. Legislative visits occurred throughout the day, with both House and Senate, Democrat and Republican hearing from community providers. The message was clear: the budget cuts to these vital human services areas must be restored!
PCPA also hosted a press conference emceed by George J. Kimes, Executive Director. A number of legislators gathered in the Rotunda of the Capitol, with Rep. Dennis O’Brien (R-Philadelphia), Rep. Katie True (R-Lancaster), Rep. Linda Bebko-Jones (D-Erie), Rep. Leanna Washington (D-Philadelphia), and Sen. Allen G. Kukovich (D-Westmoreland) participating as speakers.
Administration Meetings
PCPA staff and Dr. Mike Flaherty, Executive Director of the Institute on Research, Education, and Training in Addictions (IRETA) met recently with the following senior staff to the governor: John Estey, Chief of Staff; Dave Myers, Deputy Chief of Staff; and Mike Nardone, Executive Deputy under Department of Public Welfare Secretary Estelle Richman. The group was also joined by conference call by Dr. Tom McClelland from the University of Pennsylvania who does addictions research for the World Health Organization.
The primary topic of conversation was the drug and alcohol (D&A) budget crisis, as well as promoting and detailing once again the efficacy of treatment. Estey, Myers and Nardone were well-prepared for the meeting, and had been briefed with previous materials and meetings from PCPA. Dr. Flaherty provided extensive research packets from IRETA and many of the senior advisors’ questions were addressed.
* Federal monies that have been discussed to come to Pennsylvania as a result of the tax package passed by Congress late last week are expected to have some impact on the state fiscal situation. Full details on the flexibility of the money and how it comes to states are still unclear. Stay tuned to PCPA for further information, as it is available.
Legislative Meetings
PCPA has been meeting with many in legislative leadership to shore up support for restoration of D&A and mental health (MH) funding. By all accounts, these topics are high on the list of priorities for legislators – whether they be House or Senate or Democrat or Republican members. Legislators and staffers have shared on numerous occasions with PCPA that providers are "applying pressure" for these cuts to be restored. As well, many have commented that PCPA’s Lobby Day was quite informative and that the combination of providers/staff with consumers/persons in recovery was excellent.
Meetings were held by PCPA staff with Rep. George Kenney, Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee; Sen. Bob Thompson, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; Rep. Linda Bebko-Jones, Minority Chair of the House Subcommittee on Drugs and Alcohol; Sen. David “Chip” Brightbill, Senate Majority Leader; Vince Rossi, Senior Budget Analyst for Sen. Vince Fumo, Minority Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee; and Sen. Jeff Piccola, Senate Majority Whip. As well, member visits on PCPA’s Lobby Day covered the following: Rep. David Argall, Chair of the House Appropriations Committee; Rep. Dwight Evans, Minority Chair of the House Appropriations Committee; Sen. Hal Mowery, Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee; and Sen. Vincent Hughes, Minority Chair of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.