Our disability service providers are in dire straits. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, they’re forced to operate at just 50% capacity, which not only underserves a population that already struggles to find necessary care, but also slashes already razor-thin margins to the point where many providers are paying out significantly more than they bring in. This is unsustainable, for both providers and the people they serve. We must act now.
The Senate held hearings on bills that address the desperate needs of service providers during the 2020 regular session and during both special sessions, even passing the Senate with unanimous support. Their proposals have included more than $30 million to keep service providers afloat as they try to keep their doors open and safely serve the people who need it most during this unprecedented time. Unfortunately, House Democrats neglected to give any of those proposals a final vote. That’s unacceptable.
Through the end of session and both special sessions, there has been extensive talk about more spending from Democrats in the Legislature and in the governor’s administration, both supplemental budget spending and bonding. However, this issue is an incredibly important one, and deserves real debate. The Senate has already unanimously passed a bill addressing this situation. During the upcoming special session, it’s time for House Democrats to do their part, passing a standalone disability services bill instead of using it as a bargaining chip to spend more money the state doesn’t have.
Our most vulnerable citizens, our neighbors with disabilities, need us to work together to pass funding for our disability service providers across the state. We cannot leave them behind, and we cannot use them as a negotiating tactic. In our community, we look out for our neighbors. It’s time for the Legislature to do the same.
Rep. Ron Kresha
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R-Little Falls
