Governor Brown released his proposed California State Budget on Thursday, [Jan. 7].
This budget affects every person connected in any way to the developmental disabilities community, whether you are a person with a disability, a friend or family member, a staff member of a service-providing organization or a concerned citizen.
For a 10th consecutive year, there is no rate relief for disability service providers written into the budget. This budget ignores the needs of people associated with the developmental disabilities community who will feel the pain of more program closures, chronic understaffing of service providing agencies and the loss of hope for a better future.
The Legislature will now set up budget subcommittee hearings where public comments will be taken. These will likely begin in early March and continue through May until the Governor releases his revised budget on May 15.
We will continue to keep you updated on this issue and notify you as to when and whom you can advocate on behalf of children and adults with disabilities.
For questions, more information or to join our advocacy network email Chris Otero at cotero@abilityfirst.org . More information about our programs and services is available at abilityfirst.org .
AbilityFirst is a member of the Coalition of Service Providers.
