By Lori Kersey HUNTINGTON - If West Virginia lawmakers don't agree to Gov. Jim Justice's proposed budget and its tax increases, the budget for a program that helps more than 4,600 developmentally disabled West Virginians live somewhat independently will face a 25 percent cut. That was the message from Department of Health and Human Resources officials at the latest of Justice's "Save Our State Tour" events - a news conference Friday afternoon at Huntington's Autism Services Center. The event highlighted the potential effects of Justice's "alternative budget," a list of nearly 50 items totaling $450 million the governor has said will get cut to make up a $500 million shortfall for the next year's budget if the state Legislature does not approve his proposed budget, which includes approve $450 million in tax increases and cuts. The state's Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program, which provides in-home and community based services for West Virginians with developmental disabilities, could see a 25 percent cut. Newly-appointed DHHR Secretary Bill Crouch said a 25 percent cut would slice $22 million from the waiver program's budget and would likely lead to a cut to services and to the number of slots available for the program, Crouch said. The program serves more than 4,600 developmentally disabled people who have diagnoses that include autism, Down syndrome, spina bifida and others. Already, the state has more people who need the program than can get on the waiver program.

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Sections:  u.s.   
Topics:  West Virginia   Kanawha County   Charleston   
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