[Cagdu] FW: SB 475 (Padilla)

[tina thomas]

Hello Shannon- I am not sure of any of this right now. My gut tells me that
there is something very wrong here. I don't believe everyone in CAGDU is on
the same page with this issue. I believe the board is getting two very
different views on this issue from CAGDU. 
JMO.   
 

"Trust your own instinct. Your mistakes might as well be your own instead of
someone else's."
- Billy Wilder

  

 

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From: cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org [mailto:cagdu-bounces at nfbcal.org] On Behalf
Of Shannon L. Dillon
Sent: Monday, April 06, 2009 1:33 PM
To: CAGDU; mwillows at sbcglobal.net
Subject: [Cagdu] FW: SB 475 (Padilla)


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


 

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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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