Clackamas County advisory council to review proposed state cuts after warning eligibility for some with autism could be removed

Clackamas County Developmental Disabilities Advisory Council members spent most of their meeting discussing proposed state budget reductions that could change eligibility for some people who receive IDD services.

During the meeting a council member raised a report that "level 1 autism" might no longer qualify for IDD services; county staff said that change appears on a proposed budget-reduction list from ODDS but is not yet a final decision. Council members were told ODDS cannot change eligibility without approval of state statute and that the item is still at the proposal stage.

The potential change drew urgent reactions. "This is very concerning, like, that people could die from this," one participant said as members discussed how losing services might put vulnerable people at risk. County staff and council leaders described ongoing advocacy and said they would work with the county's lobbyist to flag high-priority concerns during the short legislative session.

To respond quickly, staff committed to email a revised list of proposed cuts (a November draft of 47 items has been pared to a more recent public list of about 28 items with budget-impact notes). The council agreed to review that list and identify no more than two priority items by the following Monday. Council staff (Malika) will distribute the link and Tracy (county staff) will collect the council's priorities and pass a short, bulleted statement to the county lobbyist for monitoring and outreach in Salem.

County staff advised the council that lobbyists will be in Salem during the entire session and that quick, concise materials from the council increase the chance issues are noticed. Staff cautioned members that the governor's and legislature's lists and priorities can change as revenue forecasts shift, so items can be added or removed during the session.

Council members also discussed options for individual advocacy such as personal letters to legislators, and asked staff to provide contact information for legislators and Ways and Means committee assignments. Staff noted that attendance at committee hearings does not allow public testimony in those venues; written comments to legislators or communication through lobbyists are the most effective avenues for influence during the session.

Next steps: staff will email the revised list of proposed budget reductions and budget-impact notes; council members will review and return up to two priority concerns by Monday; Tracy will consolidate council priorities into a short statement for the county lobbyist to monitor and raise with legislators in Salem.