Disability rights advocates protest Newsom's proposed cuts to in-home support services

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SACRAMENTO — Disability rights advocates on Monday gathered outside the state Capitol to push back on Gov.Gavin Newsom’s proposed cuts to in-home supportive services.“These aren’t just numbers in a budget; these are real people,” said Assemblymember Jeff Gonzalez (R-Indio).

“These are children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities whose independence and quality of life depend on these services every single day.” The In-Home Supportive Services program helps disabled and elderly people remain in their houses by providing in-home care.It pays assistants to help with tasks such as showering, cooking or attending doctor appointments.

Newsom’s revised budget proposal, which was unveiled last month, would cut $367.7 million from the program and shift some of that financial burden onto counties.Gonzalez explained that the issue hits close to home for his family.

He said his son has cerebral palsy and a seizure disorder, and relies on assistance to live with dignity.“Families should not have to wonder every budget season whether the support they rely on will be taken away,” Gonzalez said.“These services should not be treated as bargaining chips in budget negotiations.”Assemblymember Laurie Davies (R-Laguna Niguel) questioned why a successful state like California would need to enact such cuts.

“It’s hard to go a day without hearing the governor or the administration brag about how we are the fourth-largest economy in the world and yet we can’t fully fund [this program for] the most vulnerable?” Davies said.The governor has previously explained that difficult decisions must be made as the state could soon face an economic downturn.

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