Minutes for February 26, 2003

Meeting Location:  Metro CIL, St. Paul

Present:  Connie Lee berg, Phylis Coppess, Mark Eggen, David Hancox, Roseann Faber, Bryan Jensen, Ann Zick, Linda Lingen, Bradley Westerlund, William Bauer.

Absent:  Cory Heit (excused), Karen Larson (excused), Lois Johnson (excused), Sharon Johnson (excused), Janiece Duffy (excused), Mary Pennington, Clarence Jones.

Guests:  Cara Ruff, Steve Thovson, Kim Haxton, Alan Augustin, Nathan Aalgaard, Randy Sorenson, Chuck Stebbins, Scot Rostron.

Call to Order, Introductions:  This emergency meeting of the Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC) was called to order at 9:10 a.m. by Connie Lee Berg, chairperson. Introductions of members and guests followed. Connie thanked Metro CIL for providing the Center’s conference room for this emergency meeting. The meeting was called to discuss the Governor’s 04-05 budget which eliminates State IL dollars, and brings a significant cut to SSB’s Self-sufficiency funds.

Self-sufficiency Cut:  Linda Lingen, SSB’s Self-sufficiency director, reported that her program is confronted with a $251,000 reduction per year during the 04-05 biennium. Reductions to the Self-sufficiency Program presently under consideration include transferring the Homestead Tax Credit duties to the Department of Revenue, a $50,000 cut in case services to blind seniors, and the “realigning of the administrative structure.” Currently, there are no plans to lay-off any counselors.

It was asked if there could be even greater cuts to the program, and the answer was yes; particularly with updated revenue projections expected on February 27.

CIL Budget:   Bill provided council members with an overview of State and Federal IL dollars for fiscal year 2003, which are $1,874,000 in State IL, $850,282 Part C (03 Center contract total), and roughly $297,000 in Federal Part B funds, which are distributed between the SILC, RSB’s IL Section and SSB’s Self-sufficiency section.

The discrepancy in the Governor’s budget as to total Federal dollars and what the Centers actually receive was raised and discussed. Bill stated he was aware of that matter, and was uncertain what those listed Federal dollars included. Steve Thovson stated that he was advised that a letter would be sent from MDES to legislators clarifying the amount of Federal dollars awarded to Centers. Discussion followed.

The SPIL’s division and utilizations of Part B dollars was raised as an issue by one of the Center directors. Under the current SPIL, the SILC has authority over $125,000 annually, which is utilized for SILC operations, training, planning and grants. The RSB-IL Section controls $115,000 annually of which 100% goes to consumers with significant disabilities who do not have a vocational goal but require adaptive equipment, home modifications and/or services to maintain or expand their independence. Similarly, the SSB Self-sufficiency Section controls approximately $57,000 annually for people who are blind but do not have a vocational goal. A heated discussion ensued, with Center directors holding that they could utilize these Part B dollars more cost-effectively. The Center directors also contended that the SILC has never supported them in their efforts to maintain or expand the IL network. Their bottom-line was that Part B funds should be distributed equally to the eight Centers.

Bryan commented that the SILC must consider what the best use of Part B dollars would be for people with disabilities. Cara, as a Center director, commented that statewide about ninety percent of the eight Centers’ staff would face lay-offs should Governor Pawlenty’s elimination of State IL dollars be approved by the legislature.

Connie requested additional clarification on how State and Federal IL funds are distributed. Bill responded to her questions and reminded SILC members that the amounts and the distribution of all IL funds are explained in detail in the current SPIL.

Appropriations Committee Report:  David Hancox summarized testimony recently provided to the Senate Appropriations Committee. Approximately 150 consumers packed the hearing room.

David discussed the ramifications should the elimination of State IL dollars become a reality. CILNM reports that the Center will lay-off most employees; fifty consumers will be served annually; the Duluth office will be closed. Freedom CIL will close the Fergus Falls branch office; the Center will employ only two FTE’s; travel for direct services will drop to $10,000 annually; and approximately fifty-five consumers will be served annually. ILICIL projects that an additional seventy-five people with disabilities will become homeless as a result of ILICIL’s elimination of its representative payee services; eighty-five percent of the Center’s current consumers will lose one or more services; seventy-five ramps will not be constructed in 04 alone; 150 youth will be cut from transition services. MCIL will eliminate transition services; there will be a fifty percent reduction in ramp construction, information and referral assistance, advocacy services and peer support; the elimination of ancillary IL services not covered by fees; the MCIL offices will be relocated; and the elimination of the deaf IL program. SEMCIL projects a forty-five percent reduction in consumers served; a sixty percent reduction in information and referral assistance and ramp construction; a forty-five percent reduction in peer counseling services; the closure of the Winona branch office; counties underserved will increase from six to eight with two counties in the SEMCIL service-area receiving no services; and a fifty percent reduction in FTE IL staff. SMILES would lay-off 4.5 FTE’s; transition services would be discontinued in fourteen schools; the Fairmont office would be closed; the 1.0 FTE in peer services reduced to .25; the ramp program, recreation services, assistive technology services, and the resource room would all be eliminated. SWCIL projects that community outreach activities will drop from 300 to sixty annually; a seventy-five percent reduction in consumers served; relocation of the SWCIL offices; elimination of the ramp project; the discontinuation of the business relationship with the Small Business Redevelopment Office; a reduction in staff from eleven FTE’s to three FTE’s.

David stated that statewide only eight counties out of eighty-seven would be served by Centers should State IL funds be eliminated. David stated that discussions regarding the fate of Minnesota’s Centers have to go beyond this room. Support letters from all SILC members are essential. Legislators listen to constituents and numbers matter in letters, phone calls and visits to their offices. Steve commented that he did not understand why the person or persons making this recommendation to eliminate all State IL dollars did not bother to discuss this first with the Center directors. David stated that any SILC member requiring a sample letter for his/her legislators can phone him at (651) 646-8342. Cara commented that ILICIL’s consumers have written almost 400 letters to date.

David reported that MACIL members have been meeting with legislators and the Governor’s office. All eight Centers have prepared press releases, written newsletter articles, and received other media coverage. Steve reported that NCIL is unaware of any other state legislature that has eliminated all IL dollars. Steve also commented that there will be a riptide effect should Centers lose all state support, and the Centers will be set back twenty years.

David moved, Roseann seconded, that all Part B dollars, with the exception of $50,000 annually for SILC operations and administration, be distributed equally between the eight Centers as of October 1, 2003 and that the SPIL be amended as required.

A heated discussion ensued. Connie requested a role call vote, and the motion carried unanimously with David Hancox abstaining. Council members were reminded that the SILC could utilize its portion of the Part B dollars in any manner that members considered appropriate; however, any amendment to the utilization of the SILS Part B dollars would require approval from RSB and SSB. Cara, speaking for all Center directors, thanked the council members for their support.

723, 722 Statuses and the SPIL:  Bill summarized the 722 and 723 definitions,and the numerous revisions to the current SPIL should Federal dollars suddenly become greater in Minnesota than State IL dollars. He commented that the change from a 723 to a 722 state could become effective at the beginning of FFY 04 should the Governor’s budget be approved by the legislature.

Connie asked what will happen when MDES merges with MTED. Bill stated that he anticipated a smooth transition and, to his knowledge, the Rehabilitation Services Branch would remain as is.

Other Issues:  SILC members were provided with a list of legislators’ names, addresses and phone numbers.

Connie thanked the Center directors for coming to this emergency meeting and added that they provided the council with a much clearer picture of the uphill climb confronting them. She stated that she looks forward to continued communications with the Center directors, and understands the struggles they are experiencing. Connie added that she relies heavily upon Centers in her work, and both admires and appreciates Centers’ efforts.

Connie reminded council members that it was their responsibility to speak up for people with disabilities, and let legislators know how the elimination of State IL dollars will negatively effect the lives of so many in the disability community. Connie urged all SILC members to contact their legislators. She asked the Center directors to advise her if there is anything else the council can do. Council members were advised that contacts with senate members were particularly needed at this time.

Phyllis moved, Bryan seconded, that Connie draft and submit a letter on behalf of the full council supporting continued funding of Centers, and that this letter be sent to the house, senate and the Governor’s office. There was no discussion and the motion carried.

Randy Sorenson questioned VR’s utilization of “program income,” which he stated was approximately $500,000 from October 2002 to January 2003 with an additional $300,000 pending.

Cara advised Council members that they could get their legislators addresses on the internet. Randy volunteered to e-mail these addresses to Bill who will forward them to Council members. Council members were advised that handwritten letters have the most impact. In-person visits are also important. David suggested that if Council members could not meet with their legislators at the Capitol, then visit them when they are in their home districts. He added that the DFL Caucus is publishing a list of district meetings, and SILC members should be a visible presence at these meetings. SILC members were reminded that letters should be concise, and must not have an angry tone – be assertive and candid but don’t be threatening. A discussion followed on the amount of dollars saved in 2002 through the Centers’ efforts to deinstitutionalize people with disabilities, or prevent them from entering institutions.

Adjournment:  The emergency meeting of the SILC adjourned at 2:10 p.m.