Crisis as Opportunity: The Cuts Start Now
The Chinese word you see above is the word for crisis. The left part means danger, the right side means opportunity. For some time, Capitol observers have said that next year’s legislative session would indeed be dangerous. The reason: the national recession was catching up to Texas and there would be no federal stimulus bringing in billions. The state budget cuts will be staggering. Unfortunately, the future came early. Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Speaker Straus released a letter to state agencies instructing them to develop 5% cuts in the current budgets.
History has shown that disadvantaged populations will bear the brunt of the cuts. Texas already ranks 50th in per capita investment in its citizens. Yes, we will be cutting further from our position as dead last in the country. People with disabilities, families, friends and advocates; you are on call. Our voices must be heard.
One thing we can do is take advantage of the opportunity that comes with crisis. By that, I mean Texas has policies and practices that waste money and are negative for people with disabilities. Great example: those who need long term services and supports often prefer to live and do much better in the community than in institutions and cost less. Throughout this year, CTD will be promoting an advocacy theme we’re calling Crisis as Opportunity. We will continue to stand for what’s right, no matter the cost. And we want to point out ways to do things as well or better for no more or less money. Maybe we’ll slay a few sacred cows on the way. If you’ve got a good idea, email dborel@cotwd.org.
Advocacy Group Calls for Immediate Investigation by DOJ of Hate Crimes
Community Now! a statewide advocacy group calling for downsizing of State Institutions (aka. State Supporting Living Centers) for people with intellectual disabilities is filing a complaint with the Department of Justice Criminal Investigation Division. The complaint will call for immediate investigation and prosecution of former state institution employees who were not prosecuted for heinous crimes against residents of these institutions.
In recent reports from the Texas Tribune, only 2 out of 75 state institution employees served any jail time for extreme violence against people with disabilities in their charge.“It is shameful and unacceptable for state employees paid by taxpayer dollars to not be held accountable for horrific crimes against our most vulnerable citizens”, stated David Wittie, President of Community Now! The system has completely broken down and all of the leaders charged with keeping these folks safe are pointing fingers at each other. Clearly, Texas is not capable of prosecuting these perpetrators. We call upon the Department of Justice to step in immediately, charge them with Hate Crimes, lock them up and throw away the key!”
All 75 State Employees were confirmed committing Class 1 Abuse, the most violent level of abuse. Confirmed acts of physical and sexual abuse went without any form of accountability. “As long as state institution staff are able to literally get away with murder, the culture of violence at these facilities will never end”, stated Liz Scillian, Community Now! Board member from Allen,Texas.
Even with so called sweeping reform of state institutions and millions of taxpayer dollars allocated to improve these facilities, there is no direct link of accountability. The Texas Attorney General is not permitted to intervene when County Prosecutors fail to prosecute these crimes.
“This is about a bunch of Prosecutors who do not want to take the extra step to put these criminals behind bars. These individuals are not a priority to them and remain at risk” stated Michelle Dooley, Community Now! Board member from Ft. Worth.
For more information contact David Wittie: 512-577-8982 or email communitynowfreedom@gmail.com
Proposed Class-Action Settlement Against Some Dallas-Area Snuffer's Restaurants
Persons with Mobility Impairments Who Had Problems May Recover Money
The federal court in Dallas has given preliminary approval to an ADA class-action settlement, which will require removal of certain architectural barrier at the following five “Snuffer's Restaurant” locations: 3526 Greenville Ave, Dallas 14910 Midway Rd, Dallas 8411 Preston Rd, Dallas 2408 Preston Rd, Plano 2901 Village Dr, Rockwall The settlement would also provide $100 to any person who uses a wheelchair, walker, cane, crutch, or scooter, and who actually visited one of the above locations, or would have visited one except for an architectural barrier of which they were aware existed at the location. For more information about this proposed settlement and your possible rights under it, click here.