ALERT - CALLS NEEDED THIS WEEK!

Last week the Board of Revenue Estimates released revenue projections showing that Maryland faces a budget shortfall of nearly $2 billion next year. The board’s estimates also indicate that the state needs to cut the FY2010 budget further and Budget Secretary Eloise Foster is recommending a cut between $290M and $300M. The Governor is expected to announce where the cuts will be targeted within the next several days. As a reminder, the DDA cuts so far this fiscal year include:

-.9% cut of the partial inflation increase for existing services

-2% cut to community provider rates for existing services

-10% cut to Rolling Access / Low Intensity Support Services

-15% cut to Service Coordination

Additionally, cuts to the DHR Respite Program are also affecting families of people with developmental disabilities.

CALL THIS WEEK!

Please call Governor O’Malley’s office as soon as possible and let him know that:

Ø you strongly oppose any further cuts to people with developmental disabilities

Ø further cuts will jeopardize the quality and safety of services for people with developmental disabilities

Ø further cuts will reduce availability of supports that are already desperately needed by thousands of Marylanders

Ø further cuts must not be made at the expense of Marylanders with disabilities and the staff and programs that provide services.

You can contact the Governor at the following numbers:

410-974-3901 or 1-800-811-8336
MD Relay: 1-800-735-2258


Contact Sheila Mackertich, MACS Director of Public Policy, at smackertich@macsonline.org or 410-740-5125 ext. 3, if you have any questions about contacting the Governor.

-Laura

p.s. It is important that your message be delivered by phone, as opposed to letters or e-mails. Please take a few minutes to make this important call this week!
________________________________________

Laura Howell
Executive Director
Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS)
10632 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 254, Columbia, MD 21044
(Tel) 410-740-5125 (Fax) 410-740-5124
MACS is dedicated to strengthening agencies to better support people with developmental disabilities and their families in their own communities.