A leader in the local disability community is taking a wait and see approach to Governor Corbett's 2013 -2014 budget proposal. The plan, unveiled Tuesday, calls for no hike in sales or income tax. The budget does increase spending 3% to 28 by anticipating revenue from pension reform, gas tax reform and the sale of the state's Wine and Spirits Store system.
The added spending targets education and transportation, but the plan also calls for a $40 million dollar increase in services to help people with physical and intellectual disabilities live independently. We asked Shona Eakin, Executive Director of Voices for Independence, if the proposal is encouraging. She was cautious, saying, "That does happen to children with disabilities who reach the magic age of 18 and all of a sudden things change for them, so it is my hope that the Governor's comments are sincere and that they will be working to address that problem within our current system."
Eakin says that's just one of many problems that need to be addressed. She says funding is important but so are policies. Eakin expressed concern that in her view Governor Corbett has dismantled a structure that would allow him to have input from consumers in the disability community.
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