** AB350 UPDATE**

AB 350 was NOT heard on Monday, August 15th.  The bill was put over until next Monday, the 22nd.  We have been told by the committee consultant that they are looking at costs to DGS.  This is a good thing.  We have been trying to show that there would be costs to state agencies due to increased overhead and in some cases, direct negation issues.

Solorio and SEIU were surprised by this and scrambled to try to get it back on the agenda for today, but to no avail.

I know BCF is prepping something to go out, but I wanted to let you know that we had a tiny victory, but it just buys some breathing room and we need to keep the pressure on.

In the meantime, below is the latest Bee slam on the bill from today.  Also, they printed a “Letter to the Editor” from Solorio.  Finally, attached is a piece that was put together to summarize all the editorial support we have been getting.  Feel free to share.

Editorial: Lawmakers need to focus on jobs, avoid mischief

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3837640/lawmakers-need-to-focus-on-jobs.html

Solorio’s Letter to the editor responding to last week’s Editorial.

http://www.sacbee.com/2011/08/15/3837637/letters-to-the-editor-mental-illness.html

Thanks all for your continued hard work on this bill!