Sen. Fasano Urges Gov. Malloy to Restore Funding for Senior Meals
June 29, 2018Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Len Fasano (R-North Haven) today wrote to Governor Dannel P. Malloy urging him to reconsider his decision to cut $2 million from elderly nutrition in the state budget. Information confirming this reduction was shared with the General Assembly yesterday. The governor’s reduction will be effective July 1, 2018.
In his letter to the governor, Sen. Fasano also outlined an alternative course of action to restore funding for senior meals and reflect savings in the Medicaid account without reducing services.
“The state’s senior meals program is a direct service that helps feed thousands of vulnerable seniors every day. I was very disappointed to see Governor Malloy target this vital service for cuts yet again, unfairly hurting elderly individuals in need of the most basic and vital assistance. I was also surprised to see that 21% of his total holdback was taken from elderly nutrition, disproportionately targeting some of the most vulnerable people in our state. While the governor’s office has argued that a $2 million reduction to elderly nutrition in the budget is effectively flat funding the program, the reality is this program was in need of additional funding and the legislature specifically committed to this important service by purposefully increasing funding in the bipartisan budget for this service. I ask the governor’s office to reverse this cut to senior meals, and consider alternative savings that can be achieved without impacting services for the most vulnerable.”
Full letter to Gov. Malloy is attached.