Families for Families
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Still No Budget
Last Wednesday, the 2017 legislative session adjourned without a budget.  Since then, legislative leaders and Governor Malloy have been in negotiations and have until June 30, to agree upon a new budget before the end of this fiscal year. But the outlook for meeting that deadline is not good. (Budget talks testy as deadline inches closer, CT Mirror, 6/13/17)

If a budget agreement is not reached by then, Governor Malloy will be responsible for running the State's finances until an agreement is reached. During that time Governor Malloy would have authority to make cuts to programs and services without legislative approval. (Malloy Preps For Running The State Without A Budget Deal, Hartford Courant, 6/13/17)

What's at Stake?
Prior to the end of session,  Governor Malloy released budget recommendations for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 that represent a nightmare scenario for people with IDD and their families.  The fact that legislators on both sides of the aisle presented much better budget proposals gives us some hope, but everything the Governor proposed remains on the table until an agreement is reached. 

Governor Malloy has proposed to:
  • Eliminate Day & Employment Funding for 2017 & 2018 Graduates with IDD.

This would amount to a $7.5 million cut in fiscal year 18 and close to a $16 million dollar cut in fiscal year 19.

  • Eliminate the Community First Choice Program (CFC)
This program, a part of Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA), has been a lifeline for many people with IDD who  have used CFC to get off the DDS waiting lists and to start building stable, rich and productive lives in the community. 

Many in CT thought that the real threat to CFC in Connecticut would be Congressional action to repeal the ACA. No one anticipated that Governor Malloy would be the one to propose its elimination as it is our most cost effective, flexible and accessible source of funding to help people with IDD, seniors and people with autism live in the community. It makes no sense! ( Click here for a CFC Fact Sheet to share with legislators.)
  • Cut $2 million from existing Day & Employment Services. 
  • Cut $8.5 million from existing Behavioral Services Program Services. 
  • Decrease funding for the IDD Partnership.
  • Close Camp Harkness & Camp Quinebaug.
What Does This Mean?
Negotiations between legislative leaders and the Governor will continue until an agreement is reached, whether that happens before July 1 or after.   Once that happens, the legislature will be called into a special session to vote.

It is vital that we continue communicating with legislators and to keep the pressure on until a budget is passed that fully funds services for people with IDD and protects CFC.  

Most legislators will tell you they are not involved in budget negotiations, so they cannot impact them, but the voices of individual legislators still matter.  For that reason, we need to ask our own legislators to let their leaders know that we must have a budget by June 30 and that they cannot and will not support a budget that will decimate services for their constituents with with IDD and their families.

What You Can Do Now  
1. Call & send emails or letters your legislators. 
3. Send a letter to the Editor. 
  • Letters to the editor are a very powerful & effective way to influence legislators and public opinion.  This is one of the most simple and effective tools all people with IDD and their families have. Don't pass up your opportunity to use it before it's too late! 
  • Click here for tips on writing a letter to the editor.
PLEASE SHARE THIS EMAIL & STAY TUNED FOR 
MORE BUDGET INFORMATION AND ACTION ALERTS!

For more information, contact Shannon Jacovino at sjacovino@thearcct.org.