PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Rhode Island lawmakers are being urged to reverse $24 million in budget cuts to programs serving the state's developmentally disabled residents.
Hundreds of relatives and caregivers for people with developmental disabilities rallied at the Statehouse Wednesday.
They say budget cuts have reduced services that help developmentally disabled people and led to layoffs at social service agencies. Several people at Wednesday's rally said lawmakers should consider raising income taxes on the state's wealthiest residents to reverse the budget cuts.
Caregiver Karen Baldwin says the cuts are disrupting the lives of vulnerable Rhode Islanders who rely on the services every day.
Lawmakers approved the cuts last year to eliminate a budget deficit.
Legislation has been introduced in the General Assembly to restore the lost funding, but no vote has been scheduled.