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SACRAMENTO – Senate Republican Leader Shannon Grove (R-Bakersfield) recently delivered a letter to the Chairs of the Senate Budget Committee and Assembly Budget Committee requesting three budget actions for the upcoming 2019-20 fiscal year. All 10 members of the Senate Republican Caucus signed on to the letter which advocates for more funds and services for vulnerable members of the developmentally disabled community.
The letter outlined the following budget item requests:
- Re-invest savings from the closure of Developmental Centers (DCs).
- Allocate an 8 percent rate increase across-the-board for providers who serve the developmental disabled community.
- Restore benefits such as social recreation and camps that were removed during the recession.
More than four decades ago, Republicans pushed for legislation which called for a hand-up, not a hand-out to members of the developmentally disabled community. Named after a Republican statesman, the Lanterman Developmental Disabilities Services Act outlined the rights for individuals who are developmentally disabled and their families.
“My colleagues and I stand united in advocating for California’s most vulnerable. With an anticipated $21 billion surplus in the state budget, let’s do the right thing. Our developmentally disabled community deserves better. Families and the community members will benefit alike since these services offer necessary support and needs.
“Funding support for the developmentally disabled has not been a priority. Recent budget cuts to programs prevent the developmentally disabled community from achieving critical life experiences such as socialization and interaction. We have an opportunity to restore these experiences and do the right thing,” said Senate Republican Leader Grove.
Media can read more about the letter here.