In the weeks since the Governor released his proposed budget, TDM Coalition member agencies, associations and advocacy organizations have worked to better understand its impact on the statewide system of support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
While the budget proposal includes $20 million for a 50-cent per hour Direct Support Professional (DSP) wage increase, it also cuts nearly 900,000 DSP hours across the state.
That equates to a loss of at least 430 DSP positions and a removal of $32 million from the community residential system. This budget would harm the system far more than it would help. Download our updated Fact Sheet to learn more.
The cut would be a huge step backwards for people with IDD, who rely on dedicated DSPs to provide essential 24/7 support. If you feel déjà vu, you’re right to. In 2024, TDM supporters rallied to prevent a proposed DSP hours cut, but here we are again.
Here’s the good news: The budget proposal is far from set in stone. State legislators will ultimately write the budget and then vote on it in May. They Deserve More recently started meeting with legislators to explain these issues, and we’re finding that many haven’t heard about this cut!
Tell state legislators what people with disabilities need in this year’s state budget:
1) Don’t cut DSP hours from the already fragile community residential system!
2) Make progress on the “path to 150%”! The Guidehouse Rate Study recommends the state reimbursement for DSP wages be at least 150% of minimum wage.
Please take action now, and encourage your friends, family and colleagues to do the same. Together, we can ensure that DSPs get the pay they deserve and that individuals with disabilities continue to receive the support they rely on.
