Budget Cuts Hurt
Submitted by Carol on Tue, 05/26/2009 - 9:59am.
Today's Tennessean carries an article by Chas Sisk about the impact of state budget cuts on families and individuals with disabilities. The Coalition's Donna DeStefano and Julie Sullivan assisted in identifying families for the story.
Excerpt
“We’re seeing reductions to programs that help people to function very well,” said Donna DeStefano, assistant director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, an advocacy organization. “You start taking them away, and people end up getting hurt. Then you have a higher need. In the short-term, it can be very cost effective, but in the long-term it’s not.”
Several lawmakers said they hope to find some ways to keep mental disabilities and other social services from taking a harder hit. There comes a point in time where you cut a service so much, you have to ask yourself why you’re providing that service,” said Sen. Jim Kyle, the Senate Democratic leader.
But the alternatives are few. Tax increases have been ruled out, several legislators and other government officials said. Staffing reductions also are possible, though Bredesen pledged in March to avoid layoffs until at least next year.
“We run a pretty lean government anyway in Tennessee,” said Rep. Mike Turner, a Democrat representing Old Hickory. “There’s not a whole lot of room to cut. You’re getting into hurting people pretty quick when you start to cut.”
Read the whole article: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090525/NEWS0201/90525008/State+budget+shortfall+may+force+deep+cuts
Excerpt
“We’re seeing reductions to programs that help people to function very well,” said Donna DeStefano, assistant director of the Tennessee Disability Coalition, an advocacy organization. “You start taking them away, and people end up getting hurt. Then you have a higher need. In the short-term, it can be very cost effective, but in the long-term it’s not.”
Several lawmakers said they hope to find some ways to keep mental disabilities and other social services from taking a harder hit. There comes a point in time where you cut a service so much, you have to ask yourself why you’re providing that service,” said Sen. Jim Kyle, the Senate Democratic leader.
But the alternatives are few. Tax increases have been ruled out, several legislators and other government officials said. Staffing reductions also are possible, though Bredesen pledged in March to avoid layoffs until at least next year.
“We run a pretty lean government anyway in Tennessee,” said Rep. Mike Turner, a Democrat representing Old Hickory. “There’s not a whole lot of room to cut. You’re getting into hurting people pretty quick when you start to cut.”
Read the whole article: http://www.tennessean.com/article/20090525/NEWS0201/90525008/State+budget+shortfall+may+force+deep+cuts
