State services, nursing homes face cuts

Hartford (WTNH) - Hundreds of health care workers picketed the State Capitol, Wednesday, saying proposed cuts will force those in most need of state service onto the streets.

"We give them hope that they can change their way of living and not smoke crack cocaine, or do barbiturates, or shoot heroin," said mental health worker Al D'Arena.

Some are predicting that there will be more break-ins and crime as those who are turned away end up back on drug habits.

"We're already working on a bare bones budget," said educational instructor Samantha Hand. "If we have cuts, it'll hurt us dramatically."

Meanwhile, patients and residents at nursing homes around the state are sending e-mails and writing regular letters to the Governor and state lawmakers urging them not to further cut funding for the nursing homes that serve 30,000 state residents.

Dennis Letendre was the victim of a car crash. At 52, he's one of the younger residents at a home. "I think it's unfair for to, I'll say the word, pick on nursing homes because it's a people's business," he said. "It's not a factory, you know?"

An event was held at Central Connecticut State University to draw attention to proposed cuts in higher education. The Co-Chair of the Appropriations Committee said that the Democrats have a budget ready that doesn't cut as much as the Governor proposes and won't cut services so severely.

"We're going to come out with a budget very soon that has about $300 million more in cuts than the budget that came out of the Appropriations Committee in April," Rep. John Geragosian. "And, it'll have a little bit less on the tax side."

But that doesn't mean it can pass. And even if the Democrats do have the votes, chances are the Governor would veto it and they definitely don't have the votes to over-ride.