Abilene Reporter-News from Abilene, Texas • 10

10A Wednesday July 18 2012 abilene reporter-news THEBACKPAGE States that say no to reform could lose out inu encourages students to participate in similar auctions "When I was an ag teacher I wanted my students to come out to things like this because a good place for young kids to get Caddell said "The animals terribly expensive they Ye nice quality and good place for kids to learn" Colt family has gone to the sale each year fat many years but Ibesday was his first time to bid He brought- home 1 six lambs good prices for good lambs for a good Sanchez said "My little sisters show them in livestock shows and we these out for shows county and around Texas I used to do it but now I just help raise and Gov Rick Perry has spoken out against health care reform if the state dees not reform its health care system 1 million people would be left without access to affordable health care through either insurance or Medicaid AUCTION fromSA their 4-H and FFA projects' and they can carry them off to county shows and maybe Some of the ma- jor stock shows he said the money we raise helps kids to get therapy if they afford The West Texas Rehabilitation Cehter is a nonprofit organization that offers several therapy programs and other rehabilitation services to people the area There are three locations: one each in Abilene Ozone and San Angelo provide services regardless of the ability to Isbell said Dale Caddell a volunteer and chairmen at the auction said been volunteering at the lamb and goat sale for about 18 years Mow the principal at Baird Elementary and Junior High School Caddell' used to be an agriculture1 teacher and insured people who could dean the animals and give be newly eligible for cover-my sisters some pointers age ip his state the entire cost for the first three years with the federal share then dropping to 90 percent The Medicaid expansion accounts for about halfthe total number of uninsured peopleprojected to get coverage under the law If every state were to reject that Medicaid as the Supreme Court ruling now allows some low-income people would still be picked up by other Coverage provisions meant to help foe middle flag But nearly 1L5 million uninsured people below -the federal poverty line -would be left behind in a new coverage gap according to recent estimates from the Urban Institute That brings to mind the infamous in the Medicare prescription drug benefit in whicn seniors with high drug costs find themselves paying out of pocket much offoe year Those who fall into the new gap would neither qualify for Medicaid in their states under current rules nor be eligible for subsidized private Insurance in new state marketplaces that ObamaY law calls exchanges Low-income children and mothers would continue to have insurance through Medicaid Then starting in 2014 millions of people over the poverty line would have subsidized private coverage through the new exchanges "And then this group in the middle has said Matt Safe executive director of the National Association of Medicaid Directors His or- Thos who opt out We extra funding ByRkarrio WASHM6TDN- For Gov £ick Perry saying to the federal health care law could also mean turning away up to L3 million Texans nearly half the un- Gov Chris Christie not only would be saying to President Barack Obama but to as many as 245000 uninsured New Jersey resident as well The Supreme jCourfs recent ruling gave governors new flexibility to reject what some Republicans deride as But there's a downside too States that reject the law's Medicaid expansion risk leaving behind many of their InwMnrrtmp nnimairpd residents in a coverage gap already being called foie new hole" a refereratoaMedicarcgap faced by seniors Medicaid is a giant federal-state health insurance program for the poor now mostly covering children mothers and disabled people The expansion in ObamaY health care over: haul was originally expected to add roughly 15 million uninsured tawincamepeo-ple mainly adults without children who currently are not eligible in most states Washington would pick up BUDGET fromlA "One of the things that happens in cases like these is negotiated settlements with specific said Dan Mendebon president of Avalere Health an analytical firm serving health care industry and government clients "What I expect to happen hefe is that foe federal government is going to be more flexible and allow states to do the expansion in ways that suit hard to see that happening now Opponents of the health care law are as adamant as ever even after the Supreme Court upheld most of it including the mandate that most Americans carry health insurance or pay a fine "I will not be party to socializing health care and bankrupting my state in direct contradiction to our Constitution and our found-ing principles oflimited Perry sail last week About one-fourth of Ifcxas residents are uninsured the highest percentage of any state But John Hawkins' top lobbyist for the Texas Hospital Association says his group isnY dropping foe subject "We have told the governor we are willing to continue the said Hawkins "ItY hard to imagine how you get from here to there without accessing federal funds at some 3L6 percent Overall revenue for the general fund is projected to decrease by about $709000 DCOA The Development Corporation of Abilene is projected to begin next fiscal year with about $1303 million about $167 million more than the organization had in coffers at the beginning of the current fiscal year OTHER ITEMS The proposed budget includes replacing two air-conditioning chillers at the Abilene Chrk Center for $L5 million The proposed budget does not include a subsidy for Maxwell hlu-nicipal Golf Course The current budget includes a $40000 subsidy DISCUSSIONS proposed budget is available on the website www under the Spotlight" hftaHtng Council members and will begin fine tuning the budget in a series of workshops that start July 30 in the City Council second floor of City Hall SL hearing will continue July 31 workshops will air live on Television Network the education and government ATN is available on Sud-denlink Cable Channel 7 and broadcast Channel 7 KXN-TV council usually approves the in September unpaid furloughs because unexpectedly low sales-tax revenues fenced the city to cut expenses SALES TAX REVENUE City staff project sales tax revenue to dip in fiscal year 2013 compared with the current fiscal year The decrease is the result of a project that occurred in 2011 and 2012 and wonY continue in 2013 City staff cannot comment on that project per an agreement with the state SaWhreatnwriirtHtrpnprat $2912 million in 2013 or 384 percent of the general fund balance Property taxes are predicted to generate $2396 million or not on what states should do Things only get tridqpr from there Many states might actually go along with the Medicaid expansion Since the Supreme Court ruling last month Republican leaders in at least 10 states have indicated they will reject or lean toward rejecting the Medicaid ex-panskm They cite a combination ofreasans including strained budgets lack of confidence that Washington will honor its financial commitments in the long rdn and years of frustration with Medicaid mandates that limit state chokes and shift costs from the federal But other state officials are saying they will study their options and wait until after the November elections to decide If Republican Mitt Ramneywins the White House ana starts dismantling ObamaY law opt-out stales might not have to face the Medicaid doughnut hole But foe whole calculation changes if Obama is re-elected and his overhaul starts looking more send more like a done deaL If that happens some experts xpMt that states now refusing will try to cut deals with the fecleral government angling for concessions on the expansion itself or the rest of their Medicaid programs to a test according to Reporter-News archives Bruch had refused in the past according to archives but said during forums that he would have no problem taking a drug test if the request came from a legitimate source In debate which is to air at 630 pun today Bruce defended for several minutes his refusal to take a drug test calling the demands fin: a screening "the biggest red herring ever seen in (his) adding that he was "not above taking a drug and "would take a drug test every under proper conditions but in a public Then Bruce still re- spending to why he hadnY submitted to any drug-screenings said be went in May to his "physician and submitted to a drug obviously it was negative" noting that he paid for the test with personal money BUDGET The online abUenetxxom CitV staff proposed public 830 ajn chambers 555 Walnut The if necessary The Abilene channel The budget the Air Tuesday alleged was fied after officials least 31 be victims A separate nearly called Walker female or or personal as best I can1 For information about the rehab center go to westtexasrehaborg hydrates herself duringthe heat donY go out Alaniz walked her guests out the door and waived as each left in separate vehicles The next day perhaps will be routine once again: She goes out at 6 ajn to sit on her porch for a few minute and watch people go by Alaniz would stay inside and anxiously awaits the many volunteers who deliver her lunches every day Challis said they deliv- er about 180 lunches a day Approximately 35 to 45 clients come to the center to get their meals daily Food costs about SL500 a day $1100 of which is shouldered by the state For Tuesday's Beat the Heat program TXU donated $500 for the meals Sperry said TXU have been doing Beat the Heat throughout the state for nearly 15 years but it was the first tune in Sweetwater The program partners with Meals on Wheels affiliates in Texas communities "Our aim is to educate senior citizens and meal recipients on ways to avoid heat related emergencies and also to reduce their energy consumption es- pedaliy during the mer when bills tend to be at their Sperry said "Seniors are more likely to suffer from heat-related illnesses So critical to touch base with them We like to refer to it as check on your neighbor program" Wortham said city officials are planning to build a new senior facility For now SNAP activities are held in a temporary facility in the 1700 block of Elm Street contributor was the Texas Medical Association a political action committee from Austin which contributed $9000 pm Keffer the Republican from Eastland who represents District 60 received contributions of $9504010 and had expenditures of $11203337 He received a $10000 contribution from theTexas Association of Realtors and $5000 donations from Cu-tardPitts Land and Cattle Ca of Dallas the Texas Cfil Gas Association and foe Texas Medical Association Many of his expenditures were donations to the campaigns of other Republican candidates as well as $20000 to repay a personal kwh he made to his campaign in 1996 report was hot posted Tiesday morning on the state's website www ethicsstate4xu8 but appeared by early afternoon She said she had filed her reports on time but often there is lag time between when the reports are submitted and when theyYe filed "There are some dates you donY forget because theyYe burned into your memory" she said "You donY forget filing your taxes and you donY forget filing your campaign finance reports more likely to forget a family memberY birthday than you are those-two HEAT from 1 A is a blessed day a truly blessed day Sperry gave Staten tips how to conserve ener-' gy how to keep cool during the summer season and handed tier a small cooler with a TXU logo containing am energy efficient light bulb ana a night light She highlighted the importance or having ceiling fens as a way to cool the hoifte at a savings Minutes earl ier elsewhere on Arkansas Street Anna Jones 92 rode her power chair to the door and let Sperry the mayor and Challis inside She rolled into the kitchen where she listened intently to Sperry and Wortham at times adjusting her thick Having stranger in her home turned out to be a welcoming experience Jones said she didn't mind the sound of clicking cameras and the added attention AH she cared about was she could talk to the people who visited 1 ler Even for just a few minutes Therewasarusty walker on the front yard of the home of Lus Alaniz on Lubbock Street The yard was unkept and the exterior paint of the hous appeared to have been jpeel-lng for a long time But there was warmth inside the home as A1 aniz slowly with the aid of a walker walked towardlher front door and with a smile on her face told everyone in please" just drink plain water" she said after Sperry told her to make sure iihe CAMPAIGN fromlA peace Precinct 1 Pla ce 1 Lydia Long has raisied more money and outspe nt Mike McAuliffe the winner of the May Republican primary Long raised $2095 and has spent $150809 while McAuliffe raised $751 and hasnY spent anything since the primary The majority of Long'Y contributions have come from two donors Noi'- man Dozier ($500) ami Michael Dunahoo McAuliffe received a $500 donation from WW Moutray III State officeholders also had to file their reports with the state Monday Most of the big Country state representative and state senate officeholders are running unopposed in the general election and their campaign finance reports indicate that Neither Susan King Republican state representative in District 71 nor Troy Fraser the Republican who represents Abilene in senate district 24 showed any activity in their reports Republican Sen Robert Duncan who represents District 28 whichincludes the Big Country raised $39325 and had expenditures of $95096 COURT-MARTIAL fromSA Base officials have described case as the of an ongoing investigation: In June Staff Sgt Peter Vega-Maldonado admitted that he had sex with a female recruit The base instructor was sentenced to 90 days of confinement as part of a plea deaL He later acknowledged he had been involved with nine other trainees which prosecutors didnY previously know about Prosecutors are not seeking charges in foe other cases The alleged sexual misconduct at the base apparently began in 2009 but the first alleged victim didnY come forward until last year Marie Ryan a special agent with Force Office of Special Investigations who was the first witness told jurors that the initial victim who claimed she sexually was identK another female trainee told about it Investigators have identified at female trainees believed to in the sex scandaL two-star general Maj Gen Margaret Woodward has launched a independent probe and 80 members of Congress have fin a hearing of the scandaL is charged with raping one recruit and sexually assaulting having inappropriate sexual contact with nine others airmen but abused his authority "He used (his power) so he could gain sexual favors" Gruen said used it as a way to get his way with Dennis told jurors there is no evidence to substantiate the charges against Walker "Ten victims 28 charges Those are just numbers Numbers Dennis said "This case requires you to dig deeper to find the truth Once you start digging you will find some pretty incredible BRUCE from 1A drug screen on May 16 2012 at the Hendrick Re-1 gional The letter certifies Bruce tested negative for alcohol amphetamine methamphetamine barbiturates benzodiazepines cannabinoids cocaine opiates and phencyclidine (PCPX Drug testing became an Issue in the race leading up to the Republican primary election after resident Lance Voorhees asked the candidates during a Jan 12 public forum at the Cotton Patch restaurant to submit to screenings right there at the restaurant immediately following the meting challengers Bishop and Art Casarez who is not in the July 31 primary runoff after fin-' election took drug tests before the primary elec- tion Both passed their tests: Bishop submitted to a urinalysis drug test on Jan 13 by Any Lab Test Now! in Abilene Hie results were negative for cocaine marijuana opiates amphetamines propoxyphene (a narcotic pain killer) barbiturates benzodiazepines (a sedative) Ecstasy methadone and methamphetamine according to a drug detail report from the company Casarez took a hair-follicle test at Any Lab Test Nowl and revealed in early May that the results were negative for cocaine marijuana opiates amphetamines and phencyclidine according to test results that were distributed to the media by a lab technician After releasing the results Casardz publicly called on Bruce to submit not campaign funds After the debate Bruce explained that he was if he would have announced he had ever taken the drug test if not asked during foe debate He said he yielded to a drug screening after hearing from family members friends wondered why he take a test if he knew he would pass Bruce said he took the test as an individual rather than as the sheriff After Tuesday debate Bishop said rather focus on SheriffY Depart-1 ment issues as opposed to personal issues 1 have nothing to Bishop said after the debate adding that he would have "no problem instituting randfon drug infoeT Staff writer Greg KendaB-BaN and Brian Bethel contributed to this report' Ishing third in the May 29 BEST AVAILABLE COlfV.