Florez: Half million in pay bonuses returned to state
CV Regional Center reverses decision to give “leftover” funds to staff during budget crisis

SACRAMENTO – Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, D-Shafter, is pleased to learn the Board of the Central Valley Regional Center has acted promptly to reverse the distribution of half a million dollars in “leftover” funds as pay bonuses in the midst of a budget crisis.

Florez wrote Tuesday to CVRC executive director Robert Riddick upon learning that the Board of the center, which contracts with the state to provide services to people with developmental disabilities, had voted to distribute $500,000 to its staff as pay bonuses even as the services they provide face steep cuts.

Florez called on Riddick to document the rationale used in deciding to give the money out as bonuses rather than return any excess funds to the state’s General Fund, which faces a staggering $24 billion shortfall. 

Riddick responded today by informing Florez the Board has voted to rescind the bonuses.  He asked that Florez help ensure the money returned to the General Fund is earmarked for programs and services under the Department of Developmental Services.  Florez has made inquiries to see if that is still possible, as it would have been if CVRC had returned the funds before the fiscal year ended.  

“With multiple vacancies, CVRC could have expected to realize a savings in operations and transferred those funds to their account for services instead of handing them out to staff.  All of us would like to see funding preserved for our regional centers and other critical care providers, so it’s disappointing that wasn’t the decision made, but I will see what avenues are still available to make that happen,” Florez said.   

“I appreciate very much the hard work done by the regional center’s staff on behalf of those with developmental disabilities, and I hope this controversy does not detract from the service those individuals provide,” Florez said.

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For Immediate Release                           Jennifer Hanson
July 9, 2009                                            916-651-4016
 
07-09-09 cvrc response.pdf