Cuts could close several Tenn. youth group homes
Published: November 23, 2009
Tennessee Children’s Services Commissioner Viola Miller says proposed additional cuts by Gov. Phil Bredesen would be “very painful.“ The governor heard from the agency’s officials during budget hearings on Friday.
In case economic conditions persist, Bredesen has asked state agencies to prepare an additional 3 percent cut from their spending plans in addition to the 6 percent he’s already requested.
Miller says the cuts would mean closing several group homes and downsizing youth development centers. She says about $76 million would be cut from the agency’s budget.
The governor has said children’s services is one of the most difficult areas to make cuts.
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Reader Reactions
But there will be NO cuts to the Economic Development Commission for aid to corporations who promise jobs.
Thought Bresden said EVERYONE would have to take a hit.
This is not the place to make the cuts needed. Why not start trimming salaries at the top? Give the highest paid employees time off without pay. Two days a month cut from the top beauracrats pay would be a start.
Don’t take these children’s future away from them. We will all pay in the future.
Every time a Gov. enity makes budget cuts they start at the bottom end where it really affects people. They need to start at the top end where these people would not even feel the effects.
Why is that the children are always the first to suffer when the budget gets tight. Most of these kids have suffered enough in their own homes, now the State who has promised to protect and help them, is going to close doors or cut staff on facilities that are actually trying to keep our youth from going into the adult criminal system. Way to go TN-let’s show everyone what we think about our Future!
Where would these children go?
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