State Senator Jim Abeler (R-Anoka), chair of the Senate Committee on Human Services Reform Finance and Policy, made the following statement today on the governor’s budget proposal relating to the Department of Human Services. 

“The Human Services budget proposal put forward by Governor Tim Walz is woefully inadequate and critically lacking in support for fragile seniors and our vulnerable persons with disabilities. With many of our nursing homes and group homes on the verge of collapse, there may be nowhere for these people to live. The governor needs to lead the way for long-term solutions for this dire crisis. This proposal fails that task. With a $7.7 billion surplus, this is likely our only opportunity to address this massive problem. This needs to be our number one human services priority.”