[Cagdu] FW: SB 475 (Padilla)

[Shannon L. Dillon]

Hey, all, did you see this e-mail that the Board sent to the NFBCAL list?  It is clear from this e-mail the Board plans to continue after they are scheduled to sunset.  So they intend to try to be continued.  I spoke with a couple of people who thought the board realized its days were numbered.  I don't think we should be so sure of that.

SHANNON L. DILLON


 


From: mwillows at sbcglobal.net
To: shannonldillon at hotmail.com
Subject: Fw: SB 475 (Padilla)
Date: Sat, 4 Apr 2009 19:56:43 -0700




 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Antonette_Sorrick at dca.ca.gov 
To: julietcody at cox.net 
Cc: Jonathan_Lyens at dca.ca.gov ; nfbcal at sbcglobal.net ; mwillows at sbcglobal.net ; bbarragan at lif.org ; acandela at dor.ca.gov ; khaim.morton at sen.ca.gov 
Sent: Friday, April 03, 2009 5:42 PM
Subject: SB 475 (Padilla)


Dear CAGDU/NFBC Stakeholders: 

I wanted to make sure that you had some background information on the Board's bill, SB 475 (Padilla).   

*   In 1994, the Board transferred from the Department of Rehabilitation (funded by state funds or the general fund), to the Department of Consumer Affairs, where it is funded solely by revenue generated from licensees and the guide dog schools (special fund).  When this happened, and to generate enough revenue for the Board to carry out its statutory mission, guide dog instructor renewal fees went from $5 per year to $100 per year and guide dog school annual renewal fees were set at .4% of the schools total expenses.  "Expenses" are those dollars spent by the school to provide training, not their total revenues. 

*  Today, the Board is faced with budget challenges brought on by a $30,000 decrease in funds from one school and the prospects of less funds being generated from the guide dog schools due to the failing economy.  These factors will cause the Guide Dog Fund to be depleted and go into negative numbers by fiscal year 2012-13.  Due to this projected shortfall, the Board is pursuing legislation that would by statute change the ceiling the Board could charge guide dog schools, the major source of the Board's funding, from the current .4% to .5% of total expenses. Our proposed bill then allows us to set the actual fee in regulation.  We would immediately set the fee at .425%.  This slight increase will make up for the loss the Board incurred and help it fulfill its mission into the future.  (Note: Instructor annual renewal fees will not change). 

*  This bill with its proposed adjustment of the fee formula is by no means a way to expand the Board; it simply allows the Board to sustain its current level of services and remain within the Department of Consumer Affairs. 

*  If the bill does not pass, there is a possibility the Board would move out of the Department of Consumer Affairs and into the Department of Rehabilitation.  This move would mean that the Board would be governed by state funds and be susceptible to general fund cuts in DOR's budget which is already reported to have little or no flexibility.   

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.   
Antonette Sorrick
Executive Officer 
State Board of Guide Dogs for the Blind
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite S-202
Sacramento, CA 95834
(916) 574-7825 phone
(916) 574-7829 fax
Antonette_Sorrick at dca.ca.gov 
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