Than also used the opportunity to sneak in some testimony on his favorite topic- EVV.

Than was quoted in Gongwer (Statehouse reporting service) recap of all of the testimony provided on behalf of the DODD budget (see attached). Bill Ullman was also quoted on the need for DSP wage increases- surprise and congrats!

Additionally- I had almost 30 members either submit written testimony and/or forward me the emails they sent to their Senators!

Special gold advocacy stars go to Tom and Diane for rallying their troops! Tom had members of his Board and Diane had members of her leadership team submit testimony to the Committee/email their Senators!

Thanks everyone who submitted stuff!

Christine

Christine Touvelle
Policy Analyst
Ohio Provider Resource Association
O- 614-224-6772
1152 Goodale Blvd.
Columbus, Ohio 43212

-----Original Message-----
From: Tony Thomas <tthomas@welcomehouseinc.org>
Sent: Wednesday, May 29, 2019 11:58 AM
To: Jamie Steele <jamie.steele@ovrs.org>
Cc: Than Johnson <TJohnson@crsi-oh.com>; opra_board@opra.simplelists.com; Coachmoore@columbus.rr.com; Anita Allen <AAllen@opra.org>; Christine Touvelle <CTouvelle@opra.org>; Mike Toman <mtoman@thesuccessgroup.com>; Scott DeLong <sdelong@crsi-oh.com>
Subject: Re: Budget update

Excellent summary Than. Thanks to you and Mike Toman and the entire OPRA crew for the advocacy effort.  Let me know Mike if there is a Senate member I need to call or an arm to twist in the 7th inning stretch.  Tony T

Sent from my iPhone

> On May 29, 2019, at 11:21 AM, Jamie Steele <jamie.steele@ovrs.org> wrote:
>
> Thanks Than!
>
> From the phone of:
> James W. Steele, MSW
> Executive Director
> Ohio Valley Residential Services
> 2261 Victory Parkway
> Cincinnati,  Ohio. 45206
> 513-281-6800 x102
> 513-200-3695
>
>> On May 29, 2019, at 11:18 AM, Than Johnson <TJohnson@crsi-oh.com> wrote:
>>
>> OPRA Senate Finance Committee testimony was provided yesterday.
>> We were fortunate that Mike Toman had set up prior discussion with many of the members, including Chairperson Senator Dolan, prior to the committee hearing.
>> The testimony was similar to that provided to the Senate Sub- Committee on Health and Medicaid chaired by Senator Hackett.
>> I received questions on both NMT and on expansion of our healthcare workforce through potential hiring of 16/17 aged students under a cadet like program. There was no mention of issues with removing the GED requirement.
>> The question on NMT centered around the need or lack there of a study committee. While we emphasized the priority was to keep the level of funding as in the current Governor/House approved state budget and we did acknowledge the length and results of a 2 year long study of the NMT issue.
>> There was a discussion on where the field of employment is going( from sheltered workshop to community inclusion and competitive employment) and that the prior study group had well thought out recommendations.
>> The final statement was to implement those results as quickly as possible even it meant accepting a short span study committee as indicated in the House version of NMT. The county board representative came up afterwards and thanked OPRA for its support on NMT recommendations.
>> In meeting with Senator Antonio during the hearing, she moved from supporting a study committee(voiced in the sub- committee hearings) on the principled concept of ‘that study committee should include individuals with disabilities’ to not having a study committee but making sure input to the process from individuals with disabilities was included by Director Davis’s administration. A good suggestion.
>> We are now in the final stages of Senate deliberations and will keep making the rounds to emphasize our requests and support for amendments carried by various Senators on issues such as franchise fee, summary judgement process at county level, NMT , $13.00 average wage with administrative components, increase in day services wage rate,  and support of Director Davis initiatives.
>> The 7th inning of this process will be a Senate vote on their version of the state budget based on their assumptions of state revenue verses state budget funding . We hope to hold on to all our funding in both DODD and OOD budgets but are aware of the possibility of some spending cuts so *keep up your communication with your Senators.
>> The 8th inning will the assignment of ‘conference committee’ participants from Governor, House and Senate to resolve differences in each’s budget proposals and then approve final state budget funding and initiatives.
>> The 9th inning will be the Governor either signing the state budget  or vetoing some line items which will mean extra innings as House and Senate either agree or overturn those vetos.
>> Stay tune, stay involved and stay connected.
>> Than
>>
>>
>> ________________________________
>>
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>>
>> Than Johnson
>> Chief Executive Officer, CRSI
>> Phone: 937-653-1307
>> Fax: 937-653-1321
>> Mobile: 937-776-5515
>> www.crsi-oh.com
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