Press release on services for the disabled

Citing the need to protect the underprivileged and the vulnerable, Lancaster County Chairman Kevin Bernadt called upon Governor Heineman to stop passing the buck on the mentally and physically disabled.

"The State is shirking its duty to fund and oversee programs that provide food, shelter, and other critical services for the disabled," Bernadt said, "The current policy under Governor Heineman simply pushes the State's responsibility onto towns and cities - without providing any additional funding."

In an article in the 10/27/05 Lincoln Journal Star, Lincoln/Lancaster County Planning Commission Chair Jon Carlson states, "The State is not fulfilling its duties to fund and oversee care for the mentally ill and the disabled and instead is pushing the issue onto cities to deal with."

Bernadt agreed with the Planning Commission, "The Lancaster County Democrats believe that protecting the underprivileged is a fundamental Nebraska value." Bernadt pointed to a letter dated February 24, 2004 stating the County Party's opposition to LB 1083, "Efforts from the Governor's office like this bill cut services for the disabled, undermine public safety, and pressure cities to raise taxes."

Bernadt thanked the efforts of State Senator Matt Connealy who said last year regarding LB 1083 "I think the funding sets it up for failure" and State Senator Chris Beutler who last year said the bill "raises a number of concerns about the supervision of group homes."

Expanding on Senator Beutler's point, Bernadt said that improper supervision could have terrible consequences for both the disabled and the community, "How many people have to be injured or assaulted for Governor Heineman to take notice? The State is more interested in saving money than in protecting the community and providing proper care."

Bernadt concluded, "The Democratic Party record has been consistently on the side of disabled citizens, neighborhoods, and public safety. We urge the Governor to join us in our strong efforts to protect and promote these important policies and values."