Cerebral Palsy

Lisa Carlton, R-Osprey, the Senate's lead budget negotiator.

Critics accuse the agency, which has a waiting list of almost 15,000 Floridians, of poor financial management, with spending on private vendors that provide services far outstripping what lawmakers budgeted.

Carlton and her House counterpart, state Rep.

Ray Sansom, R-Destin, approved the agency overhaul Friday, but they have not settled specifics on how spending reductions will be made.

A more detailed directive on how the agency should tighten its belt is expected to be included in the state's $70 billion-plus budget, which is still being readied for a final vote next week.

Although legislators have $1 billion in one-time money not yet earmarked, Carlton and Sansom said they are reluctant to plug long-term agency expenses with short-term cash.

Advocates said the Legislature's move will represent a 16 percent cut in the agency's budget and translate into reductions in group homes, training programs and the in-home services for disabled Floridians dependent on state financing.

"It certainly means services will be reduced or eliminated for many clients, and that's just not right," said John Askew, president and CEO of Sunr...

Read more...