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Final State of The State Next Tuesday Night
It might be an understatement to suggest that a lot of advocates are sitting on pins and needles waiting for Governor Deval Patrick's final State of the State address to be given next Tuesday, January 21, 2013, in the chamber of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
For the seasoned members of the General Court and the Governor, the State of the State address may be a routine matter. But for those hoping that their issue will become a front burner issue, the Governor's address can give a giant boost to your cause.
The disability community is watching with anticipation for key support on the following items:
- Funding for the Health and Human Service maintenance budgets in compliance with Chapter 257
- Full funding for the DDS/Arc/ADDP Employment Blueprint which if funded will protect the Commonwealth from U.S. Department of Justice litigation, such as the recent Rhode Island finding.
- Continued support for Family Support programs to assist families with respite and home therapies.
- Support to implement the Autism Commission Report
- Support to implement the Brain Injury Commission Report
Noting this is his final budget over which he will both propose and administer, advocates are hopeful that the Governor will maintain his strong record of supporting the aspirations of the disability community.  Beginning with his service for President Bill Clinton, as the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, where he led efforts to support full inclusion for people with disabilities; to his time as Governor when he protected the bulk of disability programs from deep cuts during the worst days of the Great Recession, Patrick has been a strong supporter of disability issues and concerns.
The Governor''s State of the State will give out the themes of his budget message, however details on the budget will not be released until the next day, Wednesday, January 22, 2013, when the Governor's House Two budget is published and released.
In the meantime, don't be surprised to see a few State House watchers climbing the walls as they sing Carly Simon's memorable lyrics:
We can never know about the days to come
But we think about them anyway
And I wonder if I'm really with you now
Or just chasing after some finer day.
Anticipation, Anticipation
Is making me late
Is keeping me waiting
 | | Carly Simon - Anticipation |
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