A group of advocates for individuals with disabilities is planning a lawsuit to block nearly $100 million in proposed cuts to services for Californians with developmental disabilities, the Los Angeles Times reports (Goldmacher, Los Angeles Times, 9/28).
Background
In June, state lawmakers passed an $86 billion budget plan that depended on strong revenue projections. The state anticipated it would take in $4 billion more in tax revenue than was expected in Brown's earlier version of a budget plan.
The state controller's office recently reported that general fund revenues already are short of estimates this fiscal year. In December, more spending cuts could be triggered if tax revenues fall short of assumptions.
Triggered cuts could include:
- $100 million from services for individuals with developmental disabilities; and
- $100 million from the In-Home Supportive Services program for the elderly and people who are blind or have disabilities (California Healthline, 9/14).
Details of the Lawsuit
The advocates are opposed to the proposed cuts to services for those with development disabilities.
Tony Anderson -- executive director of the Arc California, a disability-rights group that is a plaintiff in the planned lawsuit -- said the lawsuit is necessary to preserve programs for those with disabilities.
H. D. Palmer, a spokesperson for the state Department of Finance, declined to comment on the lawsuit because the office had not seen it.
School Officials Plan Lawsuit
Meanwhile, a coalition of California school officials also is planning to file a lawsuit on Wednesday alleging that the budget package violates state law that requires 40% of state spending to go toward public schools.
Prospects for Federal Approval of Medi-Cal Cuts
In related news, Palmer said state officials are "feeling good" that the federal government could grant at least part of California's request to make $1.7 billion in Medi-Cal cuts as part of the budget package. Medi-Cal is California's Medicaid program (Los Angeles Times, 9/28).