09/12/2024
PLEASE READ! This article highlights just a couple of the now thousands of individuals who have NO SERVICES due to over $70 million in funding cuts courtesy of Missouri House Budget Chairman Cody Smith. The state reportedly has an over $1 billion fund balance, yet this is the population chosen by the House of Representatives to make steep reductions. Cody Smith cut funding that both Governor Mike Parson, the Missouri Senate, and Senate Appropriations Chairman Lincoln Hough recommended. The lack of funding in the budget is also slashing transportation and therapy for people with disabilities across the state. Without adequate reimbursement for transportation, contributing members of our society won’t be able to get to their respective day programs, sheltered workshops, or places of employment. The Developmental Disability (DD) community is one of the State of Missouri’s most vulnerable populations. Payton and Andrew, who are highlighted in this article, are blessed with families that are advocating for their needs. Countless of others do not have people speaking out for them. Therefore, those with disabilities, are now stuck in various settings like jails, hospitals, and homeless shelters, where they receive no help or critical services required for them to live with human dignity. We look forward to working with the new Governor and new House Budget Chairman next session for help in getting back the necessary services once received by our vulnerable disability population.
Lincoln Hough
Missouri House Communications
Missouri Senate Democrats
Missouri Senate Conservatives
Cory W. MacNeil/News Tribune Andrew Forrest takes a seat Thursday in the foyer of One For All Day Program, a program for adults with developmental disabilities. Adults with disabilities are in limbo across Missouri as they wait to get into day habilitation programs because a lack of requested fundin...