In the News ... "Budget status, needs of local organizations topic of forum"

By Meredith Moriak
Reporter
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Numbers were the subject of conversation Tuesday night at the Cogdell Learning Center as representatives from the education and health and human services sectors came together to discuss how state budget cuts have affected them locally.

Though the budgets and programs offered by the four organizations vary, all entities reported the number of caseloads, clients and students are increasing, while the funds in place to run the programs are stagnant or decreasing.

"As Midland's population grows, more people are coming in and we're being expected to serve more people with the same funding," said Joanne Mundy, a Department of State Health Services program specialist. "...There is absolutely no caseload growth funding in our budgets."

Mundy was one of four panelists at the community forum hosted by the Midland Association of Churches, League of Women Voters, Midland College and United Way of Midland.

The forum was established because local organizations need to know what they can do to help, said Edna Hibbitts of the Midland Association of Churches.

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