Panel to hold funding review for services to people who are deaf and blind

The Joint Appropriations Committee added a funding evaluation for services to people who are deaf and blind to its interim topics, with chairs asking for testimony from affected individuals about service adequacy and for a financial overview of state spending.

Why it matters: Committee members said the deaf and blind communities have raised concerns about whether state resources and programs meet needs across the lifespan, from children to seniors. The chair said the review is intended to evaluate funding levels and whether statutory or structural changes—such as creating a state commission—would be helpful.

The chair outlined expectations for a half‑day review that would include an overview of state spending for deaf and blind services and testimony from community members about service sufficiency. "I'd like to hear testimony from those communities with regard to whether or not our state services are servicing them in the way that they think is helpful to them," the chair said.

What the committee decided: Members placed the deaf/blind funding review among the prioritized interim topics and directed staff to set an agenda that includes spending overviews and invited testimony. Several members recommended allowing more than a single half‑day session if needed to cover both technical funding detail and community testimony.

What’s next: Staff will draft proposed scope and invite witnesses; the committee discussed scheduling two shorter sessions or a single extended block to ensure adequate time for both briefing and community input.