Seniors, People with Disabilities and Homecare Workers Pack Budget Cuts Forum in Claremont
100 "STOP THE CUTS" cards, e-mails sent to Assemblymember Anthony Adams
Media Coverage:
KPFK/Pacifica Radio in Los Angeles and Workers' Independent News, a national radio show, covered the forum. Download and Listen here!
Friday, June 20, 2008Seniors, peoplewith disabilities, homecare providers and coalition groups packed a town hall meeting at Pitzer College in Claremont, Calif. Friday morning to learn about the Governor's proposed cuts to In-Home Supportive Services and what they can do to stop them.
The Quality Homecare Coalition, including SEIU Healthcare ULTCW, hosted the forum to educate Californians on the devastating affects the cuts would have on seniors and people with disabilities. Facing a budget deficit that is pushing $20 billion, the Governor is seeking to slash IHSS recipients hours and threatening to roll back homecare worker pay to minimum wage.
Low-income seniors and people living with disabilities stand to lose vital services such as meal prep, grocery shopping and house cleaning that they depend on in order to live independently in their own homes.
After hearing a budget presentation, dozens of seniors and people with disabilities spoke out about how the cuts will impact them.
"I do not want to stay at home, but I have no choice," said Maria Valencia, a Pomona-area homecare worker. "I'd rather be out working, but my son is Autistic, and I have no choice. A reduction in hours and my pay would kill us. We wouldn't be able to survive."
Brenda Premo, the forum's moderator and a IHSS recipient, told the crowd that only collectively do we have the power to stop the Governor.
"Remember, each one of you can make a difference now," Premo told the audience. "You can make a difference by filling out a yellow card, e-mailing your legislator, telling a neighbor about these cuts. We have to let them know, we cannot have these cuts."
