House Human Services committee backs a set of budget priorities: childcare funding held, Medicaid rates adjusted, more support for shelters and elder services

At a House Human Services committee meeting reviewing fiscal-year budget recommendations, committee staff presented a set of prioritized funding decisions and the committee registered its sense on each item through show-of-hands votes.

The staff recommendation kept a $19 million childcare appropriation intact rather than moving the funds to other uses, approved a partial rate increase for Children’s Integrated Services, recommended one-time and base restorations for emergency shelter and 2-1-1 services, and advanced several elderly- and disability-focused items including Meals on Wheels and HomeShare expansion.

Committee staff told members the childcare recommendation balances an uncertain federal compliance cost and continuing workforce and access concerns. “Given the unknown cost of compliance with the federal rule, continuing need for workforce development, the need to address gaps in service, the committee recommends that it's premature to move any of the $19,000,000 out of the childcare appropriation,” the staff presenter said. The committee registered its support by a show of hands; the tally recorded in the transcript shows a majority in favor.

The committee recommended a partial increase for Children’s Integrated Services, which serves Medicaid-eligible children in early intervention. Staff said a recent…