TO: All CDR Chapter Legislative Liaisons
FROM: Ralph Black
SUBJECT: SSI Reductions
As you know, governor Wilson has long sought to reduce the State's contribution to SSI (the State Spplement SSI/SSP). However, he has been unable to do so because of the maintenance of effort requirement at the federal level. In an earlier alert, we advised you that the Appropriations committee in the House of Representatives was considering a request by certain Republican members to delete this requirement as part of the federal budget implementation of welfare reform. Unfortunately, the full House has now approved the elimination of maintenance of effort. The good news is that the Senate version of the budget still retains maintenance of effort and President Clinton has also expressed support for keeping this requirement.
The reason for this alert is that the budget Reconciliation Committee is now meeting to resolve differences between the House and Senate versions of the budget. We need everyone to contact the two California members on the committee and urge them to keep maintenance of effort. The time is short because the committee is scheduled to complete its work by July 18th. Thus, you will need to make calls or send faxes. The two members from California on the Budget Reconciliation Committee are Senator Boxer and Representative Bill Thomas of Bakersfield. You should contact both, but be aware that Thomas originally made the proposal in the House to eliminate maintenance of effort, so he may be a hard sell. The information for contacting them is:
Senator Boxer
voice (202) 224-3552 or (415) 403-0100
Fax (202) 956-6701 or (415) 956-6701
Bill Thomas
voice (202) 225-2915 or (805) 327-3611
fax (202) 225-8798 or (805) 631-9535
Remember, call or send your Faxes ASAP!
Governor Wilson is again attempting to cut SSI benefits. Actually, there are two separate things happening in this respect.
First, the Governor is proposing in the state budget process that the 4.9 percent reduction in SSI benefits enacted a few years ago during the recession be maintained even though state revenues have increased substantially. This issue is currently being addressed in the Joint Budget Conference Committee. The CDR Legislative Committee is working on this issue, but letters or phone calls from chapters and/or individual members would be helpful. The members of the conference committee are listed below. Since time is short, contact with their Sacramento offices is recommended.
Second, the Governor is seeking permission from the federal government to make further reductions. To accomplish this he must get Congress to repeal existing "maintenance of effort" requirements which now prohibit the states from reducing the amount of any state supplement. The House Ways and Means committee approved repeal of this requirement last week, so the issue will now be going to the House floor. All chapters should contact their local congressional representatives to urge defeat of this measure.
Joint Budget Conference committee
The Honorable Assemblymember Martha Escutia State Capitol, Room 3146 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-8188 or 213-582-7774 FAX: (16) 324-0012. The Honorable Assemblymember Denise Moreno-Ducheny State Capitol, Room 6026 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-7556 or 619-477-7979 Fax: (916) 322-2271 The Honorable Assemblymember Gary Miller State Capitol, Room 6027 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-7550 or 818-839-2000 FAX: (916) 322-6449 The Honorable Senator Cathie Wright State Capitol, Room 4052 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-8873 or 805-522-2920 FAX: (916) 324-7544 The Honorable Senator Mike Thompson State Capitol, Room 3056 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-3375 or 707-576-2771 FAX: (916) 323-6958 The Honorable Senator Steve Peace State Capitol, Room 5064 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-6767 or 619-463-0243 FAX: (916) 327-3522Return to Legislative Archives page