AMENDED IN SENIOR SENATE OCTOBER 26, 2011

SENIOR ASSEMBLY PROPOSAL NO. 4

INTRODUCED BY SENIOR ASSEMBLY MEMBER CAMPBELL

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

AP 4: SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

EXISTING LAW PROVIDES FOR THE STATE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION TO PROVIDE A SUPPLEMENTARY SECURITY INCOME (SSI). THIS PROGRAM REQUIRES THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES TO CONTRACT WITH THE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO MAKE PAYMENTS TO SSP RECIPIENTS. THESE SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME (SSI) PAYMENTS ARE MADE PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL SOCIAL SECURITY ACT IN ACCORDANCE WITH PRESCRIBED REQUIREMENTS.

THIS MEASURE WOULD MEMORIALIZE THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO ENACT LEGISLATION THAT WOULD REINSTATE THE FEDERAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR SSI RECIPIENTS IN CALIFORNIA.

VOTE: MAJORITY.

AP 4: RELATING TO SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME.

WHEREAS, SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY INCOME OR SSI PROVIDES MONTHLY CASH PAYMENTS TO 1,270,223 PEOPLE IN NEED; AND

WHEREAS, SSI IS A FEDERAL PROGRAM FINANCED BY GENERAL FUNDS OF THE UNITED STATES TREASURY FROM INDIVIDUAL, CORPORATE, AND OTHER TAXES; AND

WHEREAS, IN 2009, CALIFORNIA REDUCED SSI PAYMENTS TO 2008 LEVELS (A 4.1 PERCENT CUT) AND IN THE 2009-10 FISCAL YEAR IT MADE AN ADDITIONAL 2.3 PERCENT CUT, WHICH FURTHER PLACED SSI RECIPIENTS INTO NEAR POVERTY LEVELS, SINCE CALIFORNIA EXEMPTS SSI RECIPIENTS FROM FOOD ASSISTANCE BENEFITS, AND OTHER STATES USE SSI BENEFITS AS AN APPLICATION FOR FOOD ASSISTANCE; AND

WHEREAS, THE REDUCTIONS IN CALIFORNIA FOR RECIPIENTS COULD EQUAL THREE TIMES THE $250 PAYMENT THEY RECEIVED UNDER THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT, WHICH UNDERCUTS THE INTENDED ECONOMIC STIMULUS OF THE ONE-TIME FEDERAL PAYMENT; AND

WHEREAS, IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SSI BENEFITS, ONE MUST BE 65 YEARS OF AGE OR OLDER, OR MUST BE BLIND OR DISABLED AND HAVE LITTLE OR LIMITED INCOME OR RESOURCES. IN ADDITION, ONE MUST BE EITHER A UNITED STATES CITIZEN OR NATIONAL, BE A RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, AND NOT BE ABSENT FROM THE UNITED STATES FOR MORE THAN 30 DAYS OR BE OF A CERTAIN CATEGORY AS AN ELIGIBLE NONCITIZEN; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT

RESOLVED, BY THE SENIOR ASSEMBLY AND THE SENIOR SENATE, JOINTLY, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA AT ITS 2011 REGULAR SESSION, A MAJORITY OF THE MEMBERS VOTING THEREFOR, HEREBY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE STATE’S CONTRIBUTION TO SSI RECIPIENTS BY THE AMOUNT OF APPROXIMATELY $24; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE FEDERAL COST-OF-LIVING ADJUSTMENT (COLA) FOR SSI RECIPIENTS BE REINSTATED IN CALIFORNIA; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE LEGISLATURE BE ENCOURAGED TO USE AN ALTERNATIVE MEASURE FOR DETERMINING A COLA THAT IS EQUITABLE TO ALL RECIPIENTS; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT THE SENIOR LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA RESPECTFULLY MEMORIALIZES THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA TO ENACT APPROPRIATE LEGISLATION THAT WOULD ADDRESS THE CONCERNS SET FORTH IN THIS MEASURE; AND BE IT FURTHER

RESOLVED, THAT A COPY OF THIS MEASURE BE TRANSMITTED TO THE SPEAKER OF THE ASSEMBLY, THE PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE OF THE SENATE, AND THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

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