The Arc responded today to Gov. Rendell’s 2008-09 state budget, which was just announced a few days ago. Here’s a copy of the press release we issued recapping the new budget and expressing our disappointment over the governor’s decisions.
For an abridged version of the release, here are the major take-aways for The Arc community:
- Mental retardation programs are only getting a 1 percent COLA (cost of living adjustment), but program inflation is at least 3 percent.
- The community mental retardation budget is being cut by 1.3 percent.
- Less than one third of Pennsylvanians on the emergency waiting list will be funded by this budget.
Clearly, Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities and their families are not a priority for the state’s elected officials. The budget is further evidence that a law is needed requiring the governor to propose sufficient funding annually to maintain existing services (the COLA bill).
So what is The Arc community’s call to action? You can fight back by contacting your state representatives and senators to:
- Express your disappointment in the budget and demand to know why people with intellectual disabilities are not a priority for them.
- Urge them to pass SB 1373 or HB 2241 before this legislative session ends in December. HB 2241 would require the state to provide the funding needed to support county mental health and mental retardation programs, including the COLA. HB 2241 is the companion bill to SB 1373.
