Rep. Thomas P. Murt
152nd District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(215) 674-3755
(717) 787-6886

Contact: Sean Yeakle

syeakle@pahousegop
(717) 787-3406

Member Site: RepMurt.com

Caucus Site: PAHouseGOP.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 22, 2010

Murt Testifies Before House Appropriations Committee

Lawmaker urges increased funding for Community Mental Retardation services

HARRISBURG - In testimony before a House Appropriations Committee hearing on Gov. Ed Rendell's 2010-11 budget proposal, Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) today urged lawmakers to increase funding for Community Mental Retardation services to care for adults with intellectual disabilities across Pennsylvania.

"The plight of these Pennsylvanians does not appear on the front pages of the Philadelphia Inquirer or the Harrisburg Patriot News, or on television very often," Murt said. "But this issue is vitally important to the people who are affected by it, their caregivers, and their families."

Murt noted that Rendell's proposed budget calls for a $6.1 million reduction in state funding for Community Mental Retardation Services which would result in a reduction of $11.2 million in federal funds.

"In total, community-based services for people with mental retardation would see a $17 million cut under this proposal," Murt said. "This will have a profound impact on people who rely on these services. In many cases it will result in services being denied to people who have nowhere else to turn."

Murt also noted that this would be the first cut in community service to people with mental retardation since the program began in 1966.

"I appreciate that state government must live within its means," Murt added. "But we cannot balance the state budget on the backs of adults with special needs, many of whose caregivers are senior citizens."

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