Schwarzenegger proposal could force thousands of frail seniors and people with disabilities out of their homes and into more expensive nursing homes

Sacramento, CA - Facing threat of losing vital services that allow them to stay in their homes, seniors and people with disabilities will join home care workers from across the state in a 48-hour vigil on the grounds of the State Capitol. The proposed cuts come just months after California gave corporations more than $1.5 billion in unnecessary tax breaks, far more than needed to maintain home care services.

The vigil will include candlelight prayer circles Tuesday night, a rally and testimony by home care recipients and workers Wednesday afternoon, and a mass to be celebrated Wednesday night.

Schwarzenegger's proposed cutbacks would reduce services to frail seniors and people with disabilities by as much as 27 percent, potentially forcing thousands of people into nursing homes. It would slash wages for home care workers by as much as 30 percent to the minimum wage -- $8 an hour - below the poverty level for a family of two.

The cuts could end up costing the state more through lost federal reimbursements and higher expenditures as people are forced into nursing homes that cost as much as four times more than home care services.

With thousands expected to participate during the 48 hours, the vigil is intended to send a message that there are better solutions to the budget crisis - such as rescinding huge corporate tax cuts - than cutting pay and services from for vulnerable and low-wage Californians.

TUESDAY, May 26th:

1. What: 48 hour vigil kick-off press conference
When: 11:00am - 12Noon Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Who: Homecare workers and consumers, representatives of seniors and disability organizations
Where: State Capitol Park at 12th & L Street, Sacramento

2. What: Candlelight vigil/prayer circle
When: 9:30pm - 11:30pm, Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Who: Homecare workers, consumers, local Sacramento clergy
Where: Sidewalk on 11th & L Street, off the North side of State Capitol, Sacramento

WEDNESDAY, May 27th:

1. ATTN: Early Morning News Assignment Editor
What: Preparation for major rally: Sign making, setting up picket signs, creating pictures and photo banners
When: 5:45 a.m. - 7:00am, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who: Homecare workers, consumers
Where: State Capitol Park at 12th & L Street, Sacramento

2. What: Rally to protest home care wage cuts
When: 1:00pm - 2:00pm Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who: 1-2 thousand homecare workers, consumers, seniors, people with disabilities
Where: East side of State Capitol, just south of the center sidewalk

3. What: Testimony (Homecare workers and consumers who did not get a chance to testify during hearing, continue to do so outside)
When: 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who: Homecare workers, consumers, seniors, people with disabilities
Where: East side of the Capitol, just south of the center sidewalk

4. What: Catholic Mass urging elected officials to make the right and just decisions
When: 9:30pm - 10:30pm, Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Who: Clergy leaders, home care workers, consumers, seniors, people with disabilities
Where: Sidewalk on 11th & L Street, off the North side of State Capitol, Sacramento

THURSDAY, May 28th:

1. ATTN: Early Morning News Assignment Editor
What: Corporate Tax Breaks Street Protest
When: 5:45am - 7:00am, Thursday, May 28, 2009
Who: Homecare workers, consumers, seniors, people with disabilities
Where: Sidewalk on 11th & L Street, off the North side of State Capitol, Sacramento

2. What: 48 Hour Vigil Closing Press Conference
When: 12noon - 12:45pm Thursday, May 28, 2009
Who: Homecare workers, consumers, seniors, people with disabilities
Where: State Capitol Park at 12th & L Street, Sacramento

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