Fasano Statement on Rally for Funding for Private Providers

HARTFORD – Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding a rally today that called for increased funding for private providers who provide services through the Department of Development Services.

“I have never wavered on my beliefs that there should be an increase in funding and responsibilities for private providers. That is why our Republican budget proposed last year would have transitioned services to the private sector and enhanced reimbursements because we value the work that these employees do every day to care for the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, those efforts were blocked when the Democrats approved extending the SEBAC deal. I deeply appreciate the many workers who care for people with disabilities and Republicans have worked to try to find ways to prioritize funding for these services. We have always made it clear that increasing fixed costs by extending the SEBAC deal would crowd out the possibility of increasing funding for private providers. Democrat lawmakers unfortunately rejected that notion and that is why private providers face more obstacles today.”