blog advertising is good!
texasads.gif
We're a member of the advertise liberally network!


txblogadslogo.jpg
Get PINKDOME Merchandise!

Catty. Chatty. And Occasionally Trashy.

Sep 30
Who Woulda Thunk It?

Remember HB 2292 from back in 2003? This bill was muscled through session without alot of scrutiny, and there were a lot of unanswered questions. It ordered a huge consolidation of Health & Human Services agencies that put a large amount of centralized power in the hands of the HHSC & the governor. Agency boards are replaced with advisory boards, they have no power to set rules, and many different areas are privatized.
According to the H.B. 2292 Transition Plan, all of this

"sets expectations for significant improvement in the cost effectiveness of health and human services agency operations in order to generate substantial, measurable, and sustainable savings."

The number we kept hearing was $45 million dollars in savings. Well, turns out that just wasn't true. The SA Express-News got hold of a copy of the state auditor's report coming out next week, & it turns out that HHSC will only save $1.1 million dollars in the next 5 years. That's a $43.9 million dollar mistake.

"The audit, a draft of which was obtained by the Express-News, said a substantial amount of the projected savings evaporated after "errors and complete data" were considered."
Texas lawmakers making decisions with errors & without complete data? Say it ain't so.

Another fun bit? Turns out the commission counted federal matching dollars in its savings plan - federal funds that we aren't elegible for because of all of the privatization that went on.

Check out the Center for Public Policies Priorities statement on the whole deal. It'll be interesting to see what the audit says next week. Kuff, Jeffersonian, & Red State have more coverage.

at 9:52 AM
 
Trackbacks
Trackback URI: http://mt.pinkdome.com/mt-tb.cgi/986
» The Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) has refused a state audit report because the Commission disagreed with the report's findings. The folks over at Pinkdome have been following this story. Here's what's going on: In 2003, the Legislat...
Burnt Orange Report at October 5, 2005 3:19 PM
 
Post A Comment




Remember Me?












Contact Us



blog advertising is good for you
RSS
Yes, you can give me money

What They've Said
"The writers take their rapier wit and slice lawmakers (generally those of the Republican persuasion) to pieces, usually with hilarious results."
Austinist

"... scathingly satirical ..."
Austin Chronicle

"... leans to the left and has some attitude. It's entertaining, so far"
D Magazine Frontburner

"There's never been a shortage of commentary in the pink building. But now, some of that is invading the blogosphere."
Dallas Morning News

"I'm glad to see something like PinkDome shine a light on some of these fruitcakes we call a state legislature"
The Betamax Guillotine

"On the left, PinkDome provides a lot of good information (Texas ranks forty-seventh in state spending on child protection), but watch out for the comic relief"
Paul Burka, Texas Monthly

"The talented folk at PinkDome have a great take on the first bill to actually pass the House this session."
Den of Iniquity

"Pinkdome, an Austin blog some of you may enjoy during this pre sine die"
JMTBlogspace

"...provides some fantastic gossip and insight into the goings-on in the Lege." CateyBeth's Corner

"Wonkette has arrived in Texas."
--Burnt Orange Report

"... won my personal snarky post of the week award"
Off The Kuff

"... catching the attention of lawmakers from both parties."
Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

"I must say that it's a pretty good fucking blog."
Dissent to a 51% Mandate