Democrats Deny Funds for Developmentally Disabled Services 

in New Hampshire

Republican Attempts to Solve the Problem this Biennium is Ignored

Concord --For the second time during the current legislative session, House Democrats have turned their backs on the developmentally disabled of New Hampshire .  Today, they voted down a proposed floor amendment to SB 138-FN-A that would have fully funded and completely eliminated the Developmental Disability (DD) Waitlist in two years.

“I’m extremely disappointed that the legislature took a political route that will hinder our efforts to end the DD Waitlist in two years,” said Rep. Peter Batula (R-Merrimack), who co-sponsored the amendment along with Rep. Charles McMahon (R-Windham).  “It is with regret that although we could have eliminated the waitlist in two years, Democrats have chosen the easy way out and by making it a three year plan,” he added. 

The State Commissioner of Health and Human Services, John Stephen, has told legislators that the $2M dollars necessary to accomplish the elimination of the waitlist in two years instead of three is available.  During previous hearings on the issue, Commissioner Stephen, and the heads of the area agencies responsible for the oversight of the waitlist, testified that they are ready and able to fix the problem right now.

“It is clear to me that House Democrats are playing politics with the lives of the developmentally disabled of New Hampshire ,” said Republican Leader Mike Whalley.  “This is a political maneuver to take credit for eliminating the waitlist during the next election. If the Democrats were so concerned about ending the waitlist, why were they not concerned enough to do it now, during this legislative session?  These are our most vulnerable citizens and they need our help now and not in three years.”

In early March the House Democrats also reneged on a promise to fully fund the program and eliminate the waitlist when they voted down yet another floor amendment that would have fully funded and eliminated the waitlist in this biennium.  Since the Laconia State School closed its doors in 1991, individuals with developmental disabilities and their families have been waiting for the state to make good on its promise and once again House Democrats have turned their backs on our most vulnerable citizens.

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