Developmentally Disabled To Push For More Md. Funding

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Advocates for the developmentally disabled are planning to urge lawmakers to restore funding cut from the state budget.

They are gathering Thursday at a hotel in Annapolis.

Advocates will be urging lawmakers to restore cuts to wage increases for direct support staff who help the developmentally disabled live independently.

They also will be asking lawmakers to address a growing list of people who qualify for state services but are on a waiting list because of available funding. The waiting list is now more than 8,000 people, including 125 who are in on the state's highest level of emergency need.

Advocates are asking for about $9 million to restore funding for the wage rate increases and about $3 million for people in the highest level of need on the waiting list.