More funding problems

As I am writing this, the State legislature is looking at what was originally a 14 billion deficit for the state that quickly escalated to 40 billion. Naturally, the legislature is looking to cut spending and, like any typically difficult budget year, people with developmental disabilities are right there at the top of the cut list. It always seems such an easy target. But, as is the case with special education, in the long run spending cuts only cost taxpayers more – and usually much more than paying up front. The people requiring special services don’t disappear, and without the necessary support, their problems compound. So, does anyone win in a situation like this? I think not. While we hear lots of discussion of reforming the budget system and eliminating the structural problems inherent in the way State funding is done, we seem unable to make any serious changes until the state coffers are under the gun – and then, education, and especially special education, seems to get a bull’s eye painted on it. With the entire state, and even the country in such dire economic straits, we recipients of public funding all have to buckle our seat belts and hang on for what looks to be a wild ride!