Editorial: Clear up dispute over funding for disabled

Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1999 | 11:48 a.m.

Given the tight budget for the coming two years, the governor's office decided to use the unspent money to help balance the budget. Besides, the budget office noted, it is believed that the program for 50 adults would actually cost $2.5 million a year. But advocates for the disabled question this figure, and even the state employee who allegedly arrived at the $2.5 million amount says it wasn't his estimate.

If people who are disabled are given a choice of living in a convalescent center or in their own home, almost all will pick the latter if it's financially feasible. The Legislature needs to get to the bottom of this to see if the program intended to give the disabled more freedom can be operated at its original and reasonable cost.

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