Does it seem like politics just never stops? Remember the old days when Congress and the President actually finished their business in October? Not any more. Many of you have been fighting the SCHIP and Farm Bill fights right down to the winter solstice. Sacramento is no better. Though some of us in Sacramento feel like session just ended, for many health advocates it never did end. They have been slogging through a massive health reform bill and get to pick right back up in January. And don't look now but a new state budget is just 3 weeks away. Which brings me to the point of this final note of the year.

As many of you probably know already the 2008 state budget is shaping up as one of the most difficult this decade. The Governor told advocates for social services last week that he intends to cut state programs by 10% across the board. The Governor pointedly rejected revenue increases as an option, meaning that his January budget will be balanced, in the main, through cuts to existing state programs. Advocates believe that few programs will be spared, including programs where law appears to protect against such attempts.

In CalWORKs and SSI the Administration is likely to propose both mid year cuts to the 2007-8 budget and cuts to the 2008-9 budget that may exceed $800 million. Among the things the Administration may propose:

-Elimination of the June 2008 SSP COLA for the blind, aged and disabled
-Reductions in child care, transportation and services funding needed to help move families from welfare to work
-Eliminating our historic commitment to provide cash assistance for all poor children in need
-Suspending Cost of Living Adjustments for CalWORKs and SSI/SSP for 2008-9 budget
-Restricting eligibility for CalWORKs, CAPI and CFAP

The Administration is hoping that their proposals will divide our constituencies by making us each fight to protect our programs at the expense of others. The attached letter comes from a coalition of advocates known as "Budget Allies" organized under the auspice of the California Budget Project. It seeks support for a balanced approach to solving the budget deficit. This letter will be released to elected officials and the media prior to the issuance of the January budget to begin to frame the debate around the budget as more than just how much to cut. As budget details are released we will be devising even more specific responses and actions to the budget that we will also share with you. Please see the attachment for more details on how to sign on.

Changing of the Guard

We can't end the year without thanking Casey McKeever and Arlene Peterson for their years of service on behalf of the poor. Casey has recently left the Assembly Human Services Committee and accepted a job as an administrative law judge with the Department of Social Services. But before working for the Assembly he served with distinction as WCLP's public benefit advocate (my current job). Casey's breadth of knowledge and experience combined with his passion for justice made life better for countless low income families. He will be missed but we suspect he isn't through delivering justice quite yet.

Arlene Peterson worked for WCLP for 33 straight years, which given all the crazy WCLP lobbyists she had to deal with over the years in the Sacramento office probably deserves a medal. Most mere mortals would run away screaming way before that. But Arlene persevered and so did our Sacramento office. Thanks to Arlene for her many years serving California's poorest residents and we hope she has a long, restful lobbyist-free retirement.

Lastly, at year's end WCLP suffered a tragic loss. Vicki Hayes, the assistant to WCLP's executive director passed away from an illness. Those of us in Sacramento didn't get to work with Vicki much but her cheerful demeanor and competence were certainly appreciated. Our condolences to her family.