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Get Moving On DCF Plan
Get Moving On DCF Plan
February 24, 2004 You can't blame U.S. District Judge Alan Nevas for questioning the state's commitment to what is supposedly a joint plan to improve the state Department of Children and Families. In the Feb. 4 introduction to his 2004-05 midterm budget adjustments for DCF, Gov. John G. Rowland criticizes the plan as "at best questionably attainable and at worst unrealistic." That is hardly an incentive for the legislature to back more funds for improvements. Mr. Rowland's grudging cooperation is at odds with his enthusiasm at the time an agreement was forged last fall to get DCF out from under a 1991 court order. The agreement, which the governor called historic back in October but which behaves a lot like receivership, put DCF in the hands of a "team" including DCF Commissioner Darlene Dunbar, budget secretary Marc Ryan and federal court monitor D. Ray Sirry. Together, they were to forge a mutually acceptable exit plan. Judge Nevas was to have the final word. After signing off on the plan, the state called it unrealistic and asked the judge to reconsider. The judge's final word earlier this month was a resounding no. The judge had little patience for the state's plight, going so far as to suggest that at least one of its reasons for appeal was frivolous. He said all parties were heard before the exit plan was presented to the court and approved by the judge. He denied that it will force the state to violate its spending cap. Any money needed for the improvements, Judge Nevas said, could come from anywhere within the budget but under the cap. Still, this will require a reordering of priorities that may be difficult for taxpayers to swallow. It is not reasonable for the court to expect the state to write a blank check. DCF already has a whopping annual allocation of about $600 million, with $51 million more proposed. The team's challenge will be to find a way to meet the terms of the exit plan by living within a reasonable budget and to avoid subjecting taxpayers to unpalatable choices. To his credit, Mr. Ryan said he would recommend there be no more appeals of the exit plan. Both he and Ms. Dunbar pledge to work with Mr. Sirry to meet the goals. That is all anyone can ask. It's time to get on with it. http://www.ctnow.com/news/opinion/ed...nes-editorials Defend your civil liberties! Get information at http://www.aclu.org, become a member at http://www.aclu.org/join and get active at http://www.aclu.org/action. |
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