Social services subcommittee flags federal funding risk, priorities DSPD and youth services
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Summary
Social Services subcommittee reported $21 million in ongoing reductions and $22 million one-time cuts, emphasized mandated DSPD needs and services for youth aging out of custody, and warned that meeting a 5% cut target could risk more than $1 billion in federal funds to the state.
The Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee presented a report stressing the tension between state budget reductions and federally funded programs.
Presenters outlined a total social services budget of $8,600,000,000, with $5,000,000,000 coming from federal funds, and said the subcommittee adopted reductions of $21,000,000 ongoing and $22,000,000 one-time. Leaders emphasized that many of the highest-priority items are ongoing needs required to keep existing programs functioning, noting, for example, mandated additional needs in the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD) and support for youth aging out of custody.
The subcommittee also highlighted a change in opioid funding policy — shifting to use only interest from the fund — which reduces available dollars from that source, and urged consideration of how to manage those decreases. Presenters warned that pursuing a full 5% cut target could trigger the loss of more than $1 billion in federal funds to the state and urged care in choosing cuts that would not undermine federally funded programs.
The transcript records appreciation for staff work and no final committee vote on the subcommittee’s package at this meeting; presenters said they would offer backup cut lists if deeper cuts were required.