While the Governor has released his revised budget proposal – called the May Revise -- for the 2010-2011 fiscal year that began on July 1, he and the Legislature still have not agreed on a spending plan and we began 2010-2011 without a budget.

As in past years when this has happened, RCOC made arrangements for a line of credit that would enable us to continue funding services for the first three months of this fiscal year. Regional centers will receive some funds from the Medical Providers Interim Payment Fund; however, if RCOC must use its line of credit, it will cost many thousands of dollars in interest that will not be reimbursed by the State of California, even after a budget is passed. Since it will, instead, have to be absorbed by RCOC’s operating budget, it amounts to another budget cut on top of previous reductions and cost containment measures.

RCOC believes that the community care system has taken all of the cuts it can manage without serious risk to the people we serve. With the state’s budget deficit for this year projected at $19.1 billion, we are concerned that even more cuts could be considered.

Click here for information on how to contact your elected officials and urge them to pass a balanced budget that preserves critical services and supports for people with developmental disabilities.

RCOC will continue to post updates as events unfold, so check back regularly to get the latest budget news and for further action alerts.