NCGA: State Budget Update The Vote and Devastating Changes to HHS

Today the House and Senate are voting right now on the state budget.  In a last minute turn of events, House and Senate Appropriation chairs choose cut $40 million dollars from state funded services for people receiving services in Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities, and Substance Abuse Services.  

This was an extremely unexpected cut, not only to advocates monitoring the budget but also to the HHS Appropriation Chairs.

Just last week advocates had been told that the original cut of $50 million dollars would reduced to a $10 million dollar cut. 

As of this evening, the Senate passed has voted 27 Yes to 17 No to pass the budget. The Senate will vote for the third time on the budget tomorrow. The House, as of 5:00pm are continuing to debate the budget.

This cut of $40 million dollars in state funded services will be devastating to a community based system of care. You will not find in the budget equally as severe cuts to state institutions.

We will send updates when they become available.