We must convince the Appropriations Committee to fund AB 1421.

Many of you remember what happened last year in this committee -- its members overwhelmingly voted last year's LPS reform bill (AB 1800) onward to a full vote by the assembly. But they also picked our pockets, stripping away AB 1800's $300,000,000 requested appropriation.

WE MUST NOT BE ROBBED AGAIN!

Assemblywoman Thompson has asked for $50 million this year. That money is vital. The services incorporated in AB 1800 were important, but basically separate from the legal reforms of the bill. But the AB 1421 outpatient programs and eligibility standard reforms are intertwined with the use of intensive outpatient treatment, more particularly PACT. And those services require funding.

Making our task more daunting -- money is tight in Sacramento because the energy fiasco has depleted the state's coffers.

The question before this committee is not "Yea" or "Nay?" It is now "How Much?" We must convince the committee's members to make the answer as many dollars as possible. And we must give Assemblywoman Thomson enough room to negotiate with when AB 1421 gets to the Senate (hopefully).

Yes, this is important.

The date of the Appropriations hearing has still not been scheduled, but it will be in the next few weeks. It could be as soon as May 23rd (one week from today)

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You can find out who your Assemblyperson is at:

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California Treatment Advocacy Coalition
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