Topeka — Undeterred by brisk winds and near-freezing temperatures, more than 600 people, many in wheelchairs, rallied Monday on the south steps of the Capitol.
They came to protest planned cuts in services that help keep disabled and elderly Kansans out of institutions and living in their own homes.
Representatives of Independence Inc. in Lawrence were among the hundreds of people who marched with the Disabled Elderly and Workers Coalition down Kansas Avenue to the Statehouse in Topeka. The group rallied Monday against proposed reductions in spending for programs for the disabled.
Speakers at the hourlong rally didn't harp about money or bad-mouth Gov. Bill Graves or the Legislature. Instead, they talked about democratic process, freedom and the importance of being heard.
"We are not consumers demanding services. We are constituents demanding our rights," said Gina McDonald, president and CEO of the Salina-based Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living, a group that includes Lawrence's Independence Inc., 2001 Haskell Ave.
The rally, preceded by a five-block march through downtown Topeka, coincided with the start of the 2002 legislative session, during which lawmakers will decide whether to endorse spending cuts in the governor's proposed budget.
Last week, administration officials revealed plans to offset revenue shortfalls by cutting programs that help disabled and elderly adults maintain their own homes or apartments, thereby avoiding a nursing home.
The plan eliminates services for 3,000 frail elderly Kansans now getting state help.
Kansas Gov. Bill Graves pauses in his State of the State address to acknowledge members of public service.
"If 300 of the 3,000 people who lose their services that's just 10 percent of the total end up moving to a nursing home, that will cost the state more than $7 million a year. That's a lot more than they'll save," said Brenda Van Slyck, head of the Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
The governor's budget also includes cutting state block-grant support for community mental health centers by 30 percent.
If approved, Lawrence's Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center expects to lose about $75,000.
Eighteen-year-old Daniel Edwards, who relies on Bert Nash for help dealing with his mental illness, said he thinks that's a bad idea.
"Some of us need help with our everyday lives," he said. Edwards was one of three users of Bert Nash's services at the rally. Twenty-three attended from Independence Inc.
Also present from Lawrence were members of The ARC of Douglas County and the Living Wage Alliance.
The governor's budget also calls for making low-income disabled adults pay more for their prescription drugs.
Kathy lobb, Lawrence, makes her voice heard. Lobb was among more than 600 advocates who gathered in Topeka to rally in support of people with disabilities.
"It's two dollars (per prescription) now, they want to raise it to four dollars," said Kenda Miller, 30. "That would cost me $52 a month, but I only make $530 a month."
Miller, who accompanied the group from Bert Nash, said her income is set by her monthly Social Security disability checks.
The rally was coordinated by the newly formed Disabled, Elderly and Workers for Budget Fairness, and coalition of more than a dozen advocacy groups for the physically and developmentally disabled, the elderly and organized labor.
"Today is Phase One," McDonald said. "Phase Two begins with 'Remember how they (legislators) voted,' getting people registered (to vote) and then making sure they vote.
"That last part won't be a problem," she said, because, believe me, once they're registered, they definitely vote."
Staff writer Dave Ranney can be reached at 832-7222.
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