Gov. Rick Scott: APD Good Till Fiscal Year's End

Gov. Rick Scott today announced an agreement with the House and Senate that will provide an infusion of cash to prevent the Agency for Persons with Disabilities from discontinuing services.

I thank Senate President Mike Haridopolos and House Speaker Dean Cannon for joining me to protect the community APD serves, and I applaud the hard work of the staff at APD for finding a solution to this problem, Scott stated. After years of deficit spending that put these services at risk, Im glad were taking steps to finally bring responsible financial management to this agency and the people they serve.

After an inspector general report disclosed that, due to an unprecedented $174 million shortfall, the agency likely will run out of cash in early May, Scott issued an emergency order stretching funds through the end of the fiscal year to avoid any cutoff of services.

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The governors office worked closely with the Legislature to find a way to provide immediate funding so that the emergency order could be lifted and to find a long-term solution to the problem. Gov. Scott also continues to work with the Legislature and members of the disability community to develop strategies to prevent future shortfalls in APD's budget.

Todays deal lifts a hold on approximately $30 million that will cover the agencys provider costs through the end of the fiscal year.