One of the most significant elements is language contained in the Turning 22 account that provides funds for the incoming "graduating" class of young adults entering the DMR service system. The line item language provides flexibility for the Department to annualize funds across fiscal years $7.7 million for 7/1/07-6/30/08 and $17.6 million for the following fiscal year, 7/1/08-6/30/09.

The Senate Ways & Means Committee funded the EOHHS salary reserve at $20 million, consistent with the final House figure. Cuts in the transportation account and some day/work reductions from last year were restored.

Unfortunately, the community residential is still $2 million below level funding, similar to the Governor's budget. This had been restored in the House version. The Family Support account is $608,000 below level funded amounts. The autism division is $50,000 beneath level funding, $200,000 less than the final House allocation and is saddled with a new $50,000 earmark in addition to the existing $200,000 Melmark earmark.

In its executive summary, the Senate Ways & Means Committee described steps it has taken to "streamline drug purchasing to lower pharmaceutical costs". One if these steps involves the removal of funds used to purchase drugs, previously allocated through the DMR state school account (along with similar funds from other agencies such as Department of Mental Health, Public Health and the Department of Corrections). The funds have been placed into a new line item from which all drug purchasing and administrative costs for agencies with large pharmacy needs will be paid.  Specifically, $6.3 million has been removed from DMR using this rationale, yet the department claims its costs are closer to $5.4 million, which would mean the Senate's action produces an actual deficit of $900,000. Although some of funds will be sent back to the Intermediate Care Facility accounts in the form of pharmaceuticals, the remaining deficit will likely affect payroll and furniture/equipment.

Early Intervention:  "Due to the increased cost of providing early intervention services and complexity of the cases, investing in this important cost-saving programming would improve the lives of children and families throughout the Commonwealth. In addition to increasing the retained revenue ceiling for Early Intervention, the Committee also recommends increasing the funding by $1 million over FY07. This additional funding will allow the providers of early intervention programming to ensure children who need assistance and services will be able to receive them."

Special Education Circuit Breaker:   "Recognizing the strain that rising special education costs put on school district budgets every year, the Committee adds $12.3 million in funding over FY07 for the to help defray the costs for these services in FY08."

Mass. Rental Voucher Program: $2.475 million more for low-income rental - a key source of housing for many people with disabilities.