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Budget Deficit Discussed at MACS Legislative Breakfast

Pictured (L-R) are Maryland Secretary of Disabilities Carol Beatty, Jubilee Executive Director Steve Keener, MIH Executive Director Tim Wiens, MIH Director of Communications Andy Krauss and Delegate Aaron Kaufman (D-Montgomery County District 18) (in front).

On Jan. 22, MIH representatives attended the Maryland Association of Community Services (MACS) Legislative Breakfast at the Gov. Calvert House in Annapolis. The event is a traditional kickoff for the Maryland Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) community’s state initiatives.  

Unfortunately, the morning’s overwhelming theme was Gov. Wes Moore’s FY26 budget, which includes several significant cuts and cost containment measures that negatively impact people with developmental disabilities and community providers. The historic funding cuts will negatively impact provider capacity, making it challenging to expand and maintain quality supports Marylanders with IDD.  

MIH was fortunate to learn that its grant that it receives from the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Association (DDA) will remain unchanged for FY26, which begins on July 1, 2025.  “We’re grateful, as always, for the DDA’s support, specifically at this difficult time for the state,” said MIH Executive Director Tim Wiens. 

Wiens and MIH look forward to supporting continued funding for the DDA Rent Subsidy Program during the 2025 legislative session. The program currently covers the cost that allows Marylanders with IDD to pay just 30% of their household income for rent and utilities. 

Senator Guy Guzzone and Delegate Emily Shetty remained optimistic that the budget deficit would be overcome while mitigating some of the proposed DDA cuts.  

“The conversation is just getting started,” said Senator Cory McCary. “We still have 70+ days to go. Let me be clear that we’re ready and ready to work.” 

“I will fight for this community ‘til my last breath, because it helped me, and my family get to where we are today,” added Delegate Aaron Kaufman.  

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