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Senior, Disabled, Low Income Budget Cuts Loom

Written by John Palminteri

Story Created: Jun 19, 2008 at 10:12 AM PDT

Story Updated: Jun 19, 2008 at 6:40 PM PDT

A grim warning about the state budget. Some local groups serving seniors, the disabled and families in poverty say they are about to be cut out of badly needed funds.
"Without new revenue, essential programs will be slashed and people will be hurt. Some will die," said Hank Lacaya, a tri county advocate for services. He says the most vulnerable will feel budget impacts the most.
In a town hall meeting Wednesday, hosted by the Quality Home Care Coalition, others who spoke said services for children's health care could also be cut.
One study shows more than 3000 low income children could lose coverage.
A letter from Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to a concerned Lompoc residents says, "we will continue to provide funding for children's health care through the healthy families program which will receive $1.1 billion dollars in the 2008-2009 budget."
On the issue of housing, budget cuts could reduce subsidized payments for those living on a limited income who get rental housing assistance. "We'll have lines out the door with those who are newly homeless looking for Section 8 housing, or applicants for some kind of housing that most likely isn't going to be there for them," said Michael Just, a housing advocate.
Steve Day with the Tri County Regional Center said he is having trouble getting state legislators to understand the impacts of funding cuts to those in need. "Year after year we have to re-educate the different people on the very same issues from ground zero. Some of our legislators know nothing about this and we have to spend time over and over again educating them," he said.
Caroline Vance from Assemblymember Pedro Nava's office, attended the meeting and encouraged those with concerns or suggestions to contact their office and they would be informed of the budget outcomes, impacts, and remedies.
The state is currently working on a balanced budget plan, due at the end of the month, that makes up for an estimated $16 billion dollar funding problem.


Senior Reporter John Palminteri has our story.
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