Pubdate: Fri, 04 May 2007
Source: Providence Journal, The (RI)
Copyright: 2007 The Providence Journal Company
Contact:  http://www.projo.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/352
Author: Steve Peoples and Bruce Landis
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

SENATE VOTES TO KEEP MARTINEZ AS HEAD OF DCYF

PROVIDENCE -- The Senate voted yesterday to reappoint Patricia 
Martinez to head the state Department of Children, Youth and 
Families, an agency facing millions in projected cuts next year as 
Governor Carcieri tries to rein in social spending.

The chamber unanimously endorsed Martinez as the $127,501-a-year 
director of the agency with 789 authorized employees and a 
$293-million budget this year. She has held the director's position 
since her appointment in 2005.

The DCYF is facing substantial cuts in the coming year. Facing 
hundreds of millions in projected deficits, the governor has proposed 
reducing the department's budget by 26 percent, to $215 million.

Cuts to services for former foster children and developmentally 
disabled youths have been immensely unpopular, as has a plan to end 
Family Court jurisdiction at age 18.

The move would prohibit youths from serving sentences at the state 
Training School for Youth past their 18th birthday. Family Court 
sentences can currently continue through age 21.

Finance Committee Chairman Steven M. Costantino has asked Martinez to 
develop alternatives for balancing the budget without the same service cuts.

Martinez' reappointment came the same day the state settled a 
contract dispute with Local 580 Service Employees International 
Union, which represents social workers and others in the DCYF.

The governor's office announced the ratification of a four-year 
contract with the state's second-largest union about an hour before 
Martinez' confirmation.

The contract gives the union's 1,100 members 4-percent pay raises in 
each of the first two years, and 3-percent raises for the last two. 
It also requires members to pay a percentage of their health-care premiums.

"I am pleased that both sides worked together and have resolved the 
contract and our hard working members are now able to focus on the 
vital services we provide for the citizens of this state," union 
president Lucie Burdick said in a statement.

During a confirmation hearing last week, some legislators voiced 
concern about mounting caseloads in the face of three dozen vacancies 
that hiring restraints prevent Martinez from filling. Acknowledging 
morale as a concern, she said, she is hoping to transfer some of the 
more "tedious" work to some of the private agencies with which the 
DCYF interacts.

Also yesterday:

The Senate passed an amended version of the bill permanently 
legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes, which legislators say 
makes the House and Senate versions identical. That sets up an 
expected collision with Carcieri, whose spokesman, Jeff Neal, has 
said he will probably veto the legislation. Rep. Thomas C. Slater, 
D-Providence, the House sponsor, predicted the veto will be overridden.

The current bill, as amended in the Senate yesterday, would allow a 
patient diagnosed by a physician as having a debilitating medical 
condition to possess up to 12 marijuana plants and 2.5 ounces of 
marijuana. A caregiver -- an adult who has agreed to assist an ill 
person' medical use of marijuana -- could have 12 plants and 2.5 
ounces of marijuana for each of up to five qualified patients. The 
state Health Department would supervise the process.

Senate sponsor Sen. Rhoda Perry, D-Providence, said the legislation 
will help victims of cancer and other agonizing diseases "to 
alleviate their pain and suffering without fear of arrest and 
prosecution." About 250 Rhode Islanders have used marijuana under 
temporary legislation that expires June 30.

The House passed a bill intended to provide health insurance for 
low-income, uninsured persons by establishing "basic wellness health 
benefit" plans, to serve as a foundation for private insurance coverage.

The Senate passed a bill to close a loophole in the state's "peeping 
Tom" law that derailed prosecution of a Middletown fitness club owner 
accused of spying on a woman showering in the locker room. The 
existing law, part of the state's disorderly conduct law, is aimed at 
people entering another's property, for example by walking across a 
lawn to peek into a window. The legislation passed yesterday would 
make it illegal to peek in on someone who has "a reasonable 
expectation of privacy" no matter who owns the premises.

The Senate passed a bill requiring high schools to sell only 
"healthier" beverages and snacks on their premises. Elementary, 
middle and junior high schools are already supposed to be selling 
only healthier beverages, and supposed to be selling healthier snacks 
beginning next Jan. 1.

State law defines "healthier" beverages and snacks in detail, 
limiting the amount of fats and sweeteners they can contain and 
steering offerings toward fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman