There is discussion in Harrisburg that both sets of long-term funding legislation – inflationary index for mental health/mental retardation (MH/MR) and dedicated alcohol tax for drug and alcohol (D&A) – have serious potential for movement this fall. Should this movement occur, it is likely to happen prior to the November election. As a reminder, information relative to the following bills can be found in the Legislative Affairs section of PCPA’s web site:
• House
Bill 1813/Senate Bill 1006 – inflationary index for MH/MR
• House Bill 1649/Senate Bill 727 – dedicated alcohol tax for
D&A
Community Providers
Needed in Harrisburg
PCPA believes it is imperative for community providers to make one last "push"
with legislators this session. While key members of House leadership should
be visited, particular concentration should be placed on the Senate for two
reasons:
- all pieces of the legislation currently sit in the Senate and
- the House versions of the bills have passed the House unanimously.
PCPA’s Legislative Affairs Committee (LAC) has set September 26 as a targeted bill action day in Harrisburg. The sole purpose of this event is for members/consumers/clients/supporters to visit legislators and legislative staff regarding the need for passage of this legislation. This event is not on the scale of PCPA’s annual lobby day (i.e., speakers or extensive preparatory materials are not planned) but is a day for community providers to gather in the Capitol with one voice in reference to both sets of legislation.
The
Providers Dozen
The LAC also plans delivery of a box of cookies to each legislator labeled
The Providers Dozen (The Providers Dozen has 11 cookies rather than
12 or 13…because what is missing? Funding!). Special thanks to PCPA
member Community Services Group for working with the LAC on this initiative.
Members will be asked to deliver boxes of cookies when visiting legislative
offices.
Participation
and Registration
With the anticipated changes in 2007 – especially the fact that one
in five legislators will be new – the time is NOW to have the General
Assembly consider this legislation. Otherwise, community providers face more
time in educating legislators and working with a new legislative calendar.
Should that happen, the system and the association will rise to the task…but
one last effort should be made in Harrisburg to see both sets of legislation
come to fruition prior to the close of the 2005/06 legislative session.
PCPA will have tables in the Capitol Rotunda at the same location as lobby day in June. Members are encouraged to stop on entry into the Capitol for handout materials, talking points, and boxes of cookies. The event occurs September 26 between 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Please RSVP to Melissa DiSanto Simmons, director of legislative affairs, at PCPA. Please bring staff, consumers, clients, and other supporters. Contact Ms. Simmons with questions.
