Straight Talk, Hard Facts: Governor Palin Slashed Autism and Special Needs Funding

hampsona, or Aram, from Southern Oregon has posted on ireport an article by Julie Pippert featuring two Alaska Government operating budget documents. Aram has a seven year old autistic daughter and is concerned by Ms Pippert's report showing that Governor Palin, in one year, actually slashed spending for the department that provides services for children with severe disabling conditions, including schooling, by 60%

The decreases in planned and actual spending are set out in two operating budget documents for 2007 and 2008:

1. State of Alaska FY2007 Governor's Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary

budget actuals are (FY = Fiscal Year):
FY 2005 6945.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 7949.30
FY 2007 Governors 8265.30

2. State of Alaska FY2008 Governor's Operating Budget for the Department of Education and Early Development Special Schools Component Budget Summary

FY 2006 7949.30
FY 2007 Management Plan 3173.70
FY 2008 Governor 3156.00

Some straight talk, "my friends"? Governor Palin's past record is not that of a friend of special needs children.

autism