Gov. Rick Scott orders immediate cuts to programs for disabled

[mfcorey1]

Florida Gov. Rick Scott ordered deep cuts Thursday to programs that serve tens of thousands of residents with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism and other developmental disabilities.

Though a range of state services face cuts from this year's Legislature, the governor invoked his emergency powers to order the state Agency for Persons with Disabilities to immediately roll back payments to group homes and social workers by 15 percent — an amount providers say could put them out of business and threaten their clients' safety. "lt's not like, 'Gee, does this mean I have to skip a vacation this year?'" said Amy Van Bergen, executive director of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Florida. "Potentially, these cuts have life and death implications for these people."

An estimated 30,000 Floridians with severe developmental disabilities receive services that help them live outside of nursing homes — typically with family or in small group homes. Aides help them eat, bathe, take medication and otherwise care for themselves. But the governor said the Agency for Persons with Disabilities' ongoing budget deficit — currently at $170 million — had reached a critical point and needed to be addressed immediately.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/politics/os-scott-cuts-disabled-20110331,0,2216817.story

[WCGreen]

1. compassionless conservatism....

[inademv]

2. Killing more jobs

Does this guy know how to make any jobs at all? Does he know how to make money other than scamming the government?

[indimuse]

3. This *Being* has got go!

i get the willies when I see him...there is something very sinister about him...apart from HE IS A CRIMINAL! The US is trouble...

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

6. He's completely disgusting

I think the "jobs" he plans on creating are in the debt collection, urine testing, car-reposessing, pain pill shops. It's been suggested that Solantec would do all the drug testing he plans on implementing, which he (oh, I mean, his wife) has an financial interest in.

Despicable. And criminal. Megalomaniac.

[Maraya1969]

4. That is what happens when you elect a CEO as a representative of the people

[quaker bill]

5. People might die, but, as long as

we don't have to tax corporations or the wealthy, he is ok with it. Taxing those who can afford to pay is the only "tragedy" he cares to avoid.

[Ed Suspicious]

7. The guy is a ghoul.

[Danmel]

8. Gotta love those pro-life values

Seriously, Floridians, what were you thinking???

[woodsprite]

9. This is the same party that would have forced life support on Shiavo. n/t

[Ilsa]

10. My son will someday end up in a group home. I guess I'm going to

have to rob a bank to prevent that.
I suppose I should seek a managerial position.

[tech9413]

11. For every one of those 30K affected there are tens that care

Go ahead Snotty, cut your own throat. Every person you sell short will have friends and family that see the results of your policies.
I hope that moves like these will put those who sell themselves as "conservative/republican" to the curb forever. I'm sorry that we'll all have to feel the pain until then.

[Keith Bee]

12. Kick for Comparison--Original

[deacon]

13. K + R