Appropriations panel grills Department of Public Health on cuts to local health district funding, ARPA accounting and 988 expansion

Deputy Commissioner Lisa Morrissey appeared before the Appropriations subcommittee to defend the Department of Public Health’s (DPH) budget and to answer questions about proposed reductions to funding for local health districts, ARPA transitions and the 988 crisis line.

Morrissey told the committee: “public health saved your life today and you don't even know it.” She said the governor’s budget under consideration “reflects the need to continue and preserve the great work that we do,” but acknowledged the governor recommended a cut to the per‑capita grants line that DPH had asked to keep level.

Committee members pressed DPH on the local health district reduction and its practical effects. Representative Walker and other legislators said the proposed cut — which Morrissey confirmed is in the governor’s budget, not DPH’s request — risks forcing local departments to curtail services. Morrissey said her team has “been talking to the local health districts” and pledged increased technical assistance, but acknowledged that “supporting them, in conversation or, other means doesn't really support them in funding.”

Why this matters: local health departments provide immunizations, disease surveillance, lead abatement work and other…