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September 20, 2000

Dear Senator:

The National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL) urges you to support the Graham/Grassley Social Services Block Grant (SSBG) Amendment to the Community Renewal Tax Credits bill. The amendment restores funding to the SSBG, Title XX of the Social Security Act, to the $2.38 level mutually agreed to by Congress, the President and states in the historic welfare reform law of 1996. It also reinstates states' ability to transfer 10% of their TANF funds to Title XX.

Title XX was designed to give states the flexibility to provide a critical range of services to the elderly, disabled, and children and families struggling to achieve self-sufficiency. Your help is needed to protect these critical services. NCSL strongly supports the Graham/Grassley SSBG amendment, which among other things, will ensure that states are able to protect children and the elderly from abuse and neglect and keep the elderly and disabled in their own homes rather than institutions.

State legislators believe that now is the time for the Congress to show its support for continued full funding for Title XX at the $2.38 billion level. Certainly, this action would send a clear message to states that the federal government is willing to stand by its decision to grant flexibility to states in administering social programs through block grants.

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 SSBG has more than contributed its share to balance the federal budget through past reductions.

Given NCSL's and state legislators' inherent commitment to balanced budgets, we are very selective in defending funding for what we deem are the most vital state federal program partnerships. SSBG is definitely one of them and warrants our staunchest defense. We respectfully urge you to share our commitment to SSBG and support the Graham/Grassley (SSBG) amendment.

Sincerely,

Senator Jim Costa
California State Senate
President, NCSL