Ballroom AB (120' x 90') can accomidate from 1,200 to 2000 persons.
The Ballroom is on the second level (Level 2 Map (PDF).
Parking is rather *MINIMAL* and meters are enforced.
Please ping local freepers. I have made plans to attend.
I sifted the HHS section in the CPR. The HHS recommendations make up $4 Billion (or 12.5%) of the total $32 Billion of "Savings". One major recommendation alone makes up $4 Billion in "Savings": "HHS01 Transform Eligibility Processing"
"Medi-Cal, CalWORKs and Food Stamp eligibility processing performed by California counties is inefficient, costly, does not give good service and is inaccurate. Medi-Cal, CalWORKs, and Food Stamp eligibility processing should be centralized and consolidated at the state level to improve services and save a total of $4 billion, including $1.5 billion in State General Funds over the next five years."They give no rationale as to how these savings will be achieved (e.g. personnel reductions, fewer participants, etc.) After reading further, you find that half of the estimated savings are actually in Federal spending amounts, and $1.4 Billion to the State budget, (the remainder in county). So average Savings are less than $300 Million per year... peanuts IMO compared to total HHS spending.
Then I reached this part, which basically says that any savings achieved will just be spent on new cost pressures. IMO, this report is garbage, through and through. Spending valuable time all year debating this report is just deferring discussion on real reform and real reductions.
There is, however, considerable pressure to spend more than the federally required level on an ongoing basis, as the cost of assistance payments and services continues to increase, and as an increasing share of people in the program have multiple barriers to employment. In addition, while Congress and the President will consider several key policy changes, federal reauthorization legislation introduced to date would significantly increase the number of CalWORKs recipients engaged in job training, community service employment and other work-related activities. Substantial investments in child care and employment services would be needed in order to meet increased participation rate requirements. The savings may be used to absorb these cost pressures.In other words, no reduction in net spending at all. I stopped reading.
If you would report back from the meeting, let us know.
Were any legislators there for an substantive portion of the discussion?
Did the meeting follow Roberts Rules of Order?
If you ask, will you get copies of files produced at the meeting, along with minutes or other records?
When taking public comments, will the commissioners only write down what they want to hear, and when someone proposes something they don't like, say its a good idea, but not record it?
Will there be people floating around the room during the break to identify any people who strongly oppose their proposals?
Will you be put into groups, with a member of the commision or their staff officiating, and asked to pick the top 3 most important things the governor should change?
It will be interesting to know.
Were you able to attend the hearing?