Several dozen supporters of funding for Connecticut’s autism programs met at the Capitol Thursday to deliver nearly 12,000 signatures to the governor, who proposed millions in cuts to the state Department of Developmental Services.
"It's disgusting, honestly. I don't know how else to put it," said Dr. Michelle Rivelli, mother of a 20-year-old who has autism.
Rivelli helped to start a MoveOn.org petition that has collected thousands of signatures over the course of two weeks.
She said the funding cuts directly affect the plans she had for her daughter, Jessie. Rivelli and her husband had planned to move Jessie into a state-funded facility for adults to live while they work with therapists.
"You know, these cuts eliminated funding for when she turns 21, so she would just be sitting at home," Rivelli said. "I didn't know what we were going to do."
GOP lawmakers at the event said they are going to work to put the funding back into the budget. House and Senate GOP leaders and their caucuses will unveil their budget Friday morning.
"There's a lot of holes to fill within the budget and we are working day in and day out with our leadership to try and make things right and try to get the services for the most vulnerable people in the state of Connecticut," said Republican State Rep. Jay Case, of Winchester.
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A spokesman for Gov. Dannel Malloy responded to the activists with the following statement:
"When it comes to government spending, we need to make tough but smart decisions today to build a brighter Connecticut tomorrow. The Governor’s budget does propose an increase in spending for DDS and mental health services, and while these are difficult decisions, they are nevertheless ones that will put our state on a path to success in the long-term."
Democrats in the legislature have discussed potential tax hikes to deal with the state’s budget hole for the next fiscal year. They have said publicly that some elements of the governor’s budget are unworkable. A revised spending plan for the state is expected to be voted on during a committee meeting on Monday.
