The Arc is grateful to the Governor for his proposed increases in the House 2 FY 2021 budget. The Department of Developmental Services has increases totaling approximately $50 million. The Arc is especially thankful for the $7.8 million increase in Family Support, as well as the $7.8 million increase in the Autism Omnibus (adult autism) line items.
The legislature fully supported the Governor’s budget recommendation and added $17,850,000 to them for a total increase of $165.85 million. Legislators heard our concerns about the gaps in the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) line items including Family Support, Community Day and Employment, Transportation, Autism Omnibus, and the Autism Children’s Waiver, increasing funds for these services. In addition, Residential Services received a significant increase for unmet needs, the updated Turning 22 formula continued, and Mass Concurrent Enrolment dollars also grew.
The Arc is excited to share the remarkable outcome of the Final FY 2020 budget. We offer our sincere thanks to House and Senate leaders, Ways and Means Chairs and Committee. Their support of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is significant and reflected in the coming year’s budget at the Department of Developmental Services (DDS).
On Sunday night, the House and Senate Conference Committee negotiated a compromise budget bill for FY’2020 (July 1, 2019-June 30, 2020) that includes significant gains for the Commonwealth’s disability community and their families. Yesterday, the House and Senate voted to approve this budget and it was sent to the Governor who now has 10 days to review the budget bill and make decisions on what to approve, veto or return with proposed changes.
The FY2020 budget is currently in Conference Committee and we need your help so that the highest amount of funding possible for our priorities is agreed upon by the two branches. The Conference Committee is composed of the House and Senate Ways and Means Chairs, Senator Michael Rodrigues and Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, and Vice-Chairs, Senator Cindy Friedman and Rep. Denise Garlick, and Senior minority members, Senator Viriato deMacedo and Rep. Todd Smola, to resolve differences in the House and Senate budgets and draft a compromise budget proposal.
