Senate Budget Chair rejects claims sheltered workshops’ budget cut

The 2009 Fiscal Year budget contains an increase in funding for sheltered workshops – small businesses employing individuals with disabilities. Even though there is a $500,000 increase, that is half the amount that had been requested for sheltered workshops.

Senator Gary Nodler (R-Joplin), Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says those who wanted more money are now calling an increase a cut, which he says is routinely done by groups and departments.

Nodler says there were 424 requests for new or expanded spending totalling more than $2.5-billion, and the Senate has funded 396 requests with new or expanded spending to the tune of more than $2.1-billion. He says that is hardly cutting the budget.

Download/Listen: Steve Walsh report (:60 MP3)