Weekly Legislative Update

I have enjoyed the presence of constituents from District 22 in Pierre during the opening weeks of the 2010 legislative session.

Most recently Peggy Woolridge, director of the Huron Chamber and Visitors Bureau, and others shared their table at the annual tourism conference with all of us District 22 legislators.

Matthew Orstad and Laura Kieser, attending a rural leadership conference, also spent a day visiting the capitol and listening to committee hearings. We value the input from local citizens who make that effort to be part of the legislative process and appreciate your hosting of events, visits, e-mails and calls.

As an Appropriations Committee member, I take part in the review process for all departments of state government. We’ve already heard from the Department of Social Services, Department of Health, Department of Corrections, and SD Game, Fish and Parks. Most are coming in with pretty austere budgets, showing few increases (and even some decreases) for the next fiscal year, as they try to do their part in reducing overall state spending.

My last week’s legislative update mentioned unfilled FTE’s (full time equivalent positions) that seemed to show no budget savings. We had clarification from departments this week explaining some of those discrepancies.

In some cases, FTE’s are held open to take advantage of federal funding for designated positions, which may ultimately benefit our state budget. Our appropriations committee, along with the Legislative Research Council, is still looking at those positions and related department expenditures to track appropriated funds more clearly.

As we examine potential cuts in state government, one area difficult to cut any further would be community-based services provided as contracted agreements with the various departments of state government. Some local examples are Community Counseling, Our Home, Independent Living Centers, Adjustment Training Centers and others.

There are currently 19 Community Support Providers in the state. The staff of these agencies serve over 3700 people around the state who have developmental/intellectual disabilities. It is hard to scale back their work. Their clients need services. These providers have supported the State in reducing the number of people living in state institutions. In the past 10 years, the State has transferred over 130 people out of the Developmental Center in Redfield. The majority are now receiving support and services from the local Community Support Providers. The average cost per day of a resident in Redfield is $547 compared to $238 for services provided by the community providers. So they are playing a role in reducing costs.

Community Support Providers are all nonprofit agencies with 82% of income from government sources. To deal with current budget challenges, they have given no wage increases, reduced staff training opportunities, increased health insurance deductibles, reduced retirement plan contributions, reduced various transportation options for people using supports, and cut some employee hours.

The job demands on their direct support staff are ever-increasing. To go without any increase in state support for another year could mean jeopardizing services to citizens of our state who cannot be without necessary assistance.

There are many legislative issues facing the 2010 legislature. I encourage you to attend “Coffee with the Legislators” sponsored by the Huron Chamber on Saturday, January 30. The forum begins at 10:00 am at the Huron City Hall, 239 Wisconsin Ave SW, and lasts for about an hour. It will also be held on February 6, 20, 27 and March 6. On February 15, legislators will be in Wessington Springs.

You are also welcome to contact me with your legislative concerns at home, 605-539-1373; or by e-mail at rep.burg@state.sd.us