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What's 'conservative' about dumping mental health costs on counties?

The Longview News-Journal on Sunday published a notable editorial demanding that Texas lawmakers avoid cuts to the mental health system that would shift costs to local governments, particularly jails and courts. The editorial opens with the question: "Can state lawmakers be 'conservatives' in Austin if they are cutting funding for necessary programs that governments back home will have to spend tax dollars to support? We think the answer is a resounding no." Here's a particularly pertinent excerpt:Routine mental health services were the first to fall during the 2003 budget crisis, which was preceded by pre-session cuts the fall and summer of 2002.East Texas mental health professionals, judges, law enforcement and elected officials tell us such cuts already have curtailed routine services with demonstrated success keeping patients faithful to their prescription drug regimens...continue to full post

Full post as published by Grits for Breakfast on December 21, 2010 (boomark / email).