March 2, 2001

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United States
The White House
Washington, D.C. 20500

Dear President Bush:

The Social Services Block Grant (SSBG, Title XX of the Social Security Act) is a vital part of delivering community and home-based services to the most vulnerable segments of our society, including the disabled, elderly, and children in need of protective services. NCSL urges you to fund the SSBG in FY 2002 at $2.38 billion, the level agreed to as part of the enactment of the 1996 welfare reform act. It is also critical that the amount states can transfer from their TANF grants to the SSBG remains at 10% and is not reduced.

I recognize the budgetary constraints you face and appreciate the need for a federal budget that is in balance, but I must also point out that in the last several years, the SSBG has more than contributed its share to balance the federal budget. States use their SSBG funds to provide protective services for children and adults, adult day care, meal preparation and delivery for the elderly, counseling services, and serve the disabled in their homes, rather than in institutions. Further reductions in funding for this grant would mean programmatic losses and service reductions

The nation's state legislators respectfully ask you to share our commitment to this block grant. Please fully fund the SSBG, retain transferability, and ensure that these vital services are available to individuals striving to attain self-sufficiency.

Sincerely,

Jim Costa
California State Senate
President, NCSL