Disabled protest possible budget cuts in Annapolis

Posted: 3:38 pm Mon, January 17, 2011
By Associated Press

ANNAPOLIS — Disabled Maryland residents are calling on Gov. Martin O’Malley to avoid budget cuts to Medicaid that they fear could damage community-based support services and force them into nursing homes.

About 10 people held a brief protest inside the Maryland State House on Monday. They chanted “We want O’Malley” and “don’t cut our services” just outside the Maryland House of Delegates and the state Senate.

Few people were in the building at the time. Lawmakers are not scheduled to gather for session until 8 p.m.

Maryland has a $1.6 billion budget shortfall. O’Malley is scheduled to release his budget proposal on Friday.