Chanting “Save our services!” and “No more cuts!” hundreds of Marylanders rallied in Annapolis Monday against a proposed state budget that includes cuts to planned spending for the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
They filled Lawyers Mall outside the State House, waving signs that read “Save our DD services” and breaking out into chants as speakers talked about the risk of losing hard-fought progress in keeping individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities in their communities and out of institutions. The rally in Annapolis was an expression of frustration and concern over the future of essential services that so many depend on.
“This is unacceptable,” said Ken Capone, policy director for The Arc Maryland. “We understand that the state is in a deficit, and we all need to tighten our belts, but this should not be done recklessly and without representation from the disability community.”
Facing down a $3 billion budget gap and sharply increasing costs for caring for Marylanders with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Gov. Wes Moore has proposed cutting back on about $200 million of planned spending at the state Developmental Disabilities Administration as part of his budget. These cuts come at a time when many in the disability community are already struggling to receive adequate care and services, and advocates argue that such reductions will harm those who are most vulnerable.
The Democratic governor’s cuts target multiple programs within the Developmental Disabilities Administration, including those for individuals who receive services from organizations and those who hire their own caregivers and assistants, known as self-directed care. Moore’s budget plan would also eliminate a program that provides small grants to help individuals and their families with short-term needs, such as attending summer camp or providing respite care, two vital services that make a significant difference in quality of life.
The budget immediately alarmed people with disabilities, their caregivers, advocates, and organizations that provide services. The ripple effect of these proposed cuts is deeply concerning, with many fearing the long-term impact on both individuals and families.
On Thursday, the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Coalition decided to plan a rally, and by Monday night, they had gathered hundreds of people in Annapolis as lawmakers passed by on their way to evening sessions at the State House. The rally highlighted not only the urgency of the situation but also the collective strength of the disability community.
Sen. Craig Zucker was the only lawmaker to speak at the event, pledging to carry the crowd’s message to his colleagues in the State House.
“These are tough budget times, they are,” said Zucker, a Montgomery County Democrat. “But we have to make sure that we’re continuing to look out for the most vulnerable in our community.”
Zucker noted the quick planning of the rally. “Look what we’ve done in three days,” he said. “Imagine what we can do over the next three months.”
Some speakers had pointed criticism for Moore. They expressed frustration with the governor’s proposal and called for a better, more thoughtful approach to addressing the state’s budget deficit without compromising vital services for those in need.
“It’s not fair for Governor Moore to ask me and 3,500 other people in self-directed services, as well as provider-supported services, to take budget cuts, and we will not stand for it,” said Mat Rice, executive director of the advocacy group People on the Go Maryland.
Laura Howell, CEO of the Maryland Association of Community Services, emphasized the significance of the rally’s turnout and the message it sent.
“It is a testament to how dire these cuts would be for our community, and your presence tonight sends a powerful message: We will not stand by while our community suffers at the hands of Governor Moore’s proposed funding cuts,” Howell said.
A spokesman for Moore declined to comment ahead of the rally, instead pointing to a guest column authored by Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller that was published in The Capital Gazette on Monday. Miller’s column aimed to defend the administration’s position, framing the proposed budget cuts as necessary to curb unsustainable growth in the costs of services provided by the Developmental Disabilities Administration.
Miller wrote that the administration has spent record amounts in the Developmental Disabilities Administration, but the rising costs can’t continue.
“Regardless of the cause, unsustainable expense growth threatens to hold us back from making continued progress in developing top-quality care for Marylanders,” Miller wrote.
Miller wrote that while the budget will bring costs in line for service providers, some of whom make varying hourly rates, it will also focus on “consolidating program services” and using federal funds. The administration believes these measures are necessary to balance the budget and continue offering services in the face of rising costs.
The Moore administration notes that even with the slowdown in spending, the Developmental Disabilities Administration’s budget is still $500 million more than it was three years ago. However, advocates argue that this increase doesn’t account for the growing needs and demands for services in the state.
Some at the rally acknowledged that the changes at the Developmental Disabilities Administration could be worthwhile to make programs more efficient, and one parent who spoke said she’d be eager to share her ideas. While efficiency is important, many believe that cutting services rather than improving them is not the right solution.
But they balked at the idea of solving problems in the programs by simply rolling back planned spending. They see these cuts as a step backward in terms of progress and services that have taken years to build.
“We should not have to suffer for the mistakes of the Department of Health,” Rice said. “We should not be victims of accounting errors.”
The rally in Annapolis was more than just a demonstration; it was a plea for fairness and equity for individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities. It was a call to action for lawmakers to consider the long-term impact of their decisions on vulnerable communities and to protect the services that so many Marylanders rely on.
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