Maryland Advocates Warn of Devastating Cuts to Disability Services

Proposed $126 million in budget reductions could slash caregiver wages by 50%, impacting thousands of vulnerable residents

Mar. 25, 2026 at 12:56am

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Advocates in Maryland are sounding the alarm over proposed state budget cuts of $126 million to the Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA), warning that the reductions could pose an immediate threat to the safety and well-being of thousands of the state's most vulnerable residents. The cuts could slash home-based caregiver wages by as much as 50%, devastating the lives of those who rely on these critical services.

Why it matters

The DDA provides essential services and support to individuals with developmental disabilities, allowing them to live independently and thrive in their communities. These proposed cuts would severely undermine the ability of many Marylanders to access the care they need, potentially forcing them into more restrictive and costly institutional settings.

The details

The budget cuts were initially proposed by Governor Wes Moore as a cost-containment measure, but have faced fierce opposition from disability advocates. A recent state audit revealed that the DDA had failed to collect $118 million in provider payments, and struggled to keep up with increasing caseloads and required client service plan updates. The Senate has since reduced the cuts from $150 million to $126 million, but advocates argue that any reductions will have devastating consequences.

  • The budget cuts were proposed by Governor Wes Moore in March 2026.
  • Dozens of advocates rallied against the cuts on Tuesday, March 25, 2026.

The players

Carin Smith

The founder of Maryland Self-Direction Services, an organization that advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.

B.J. Surhoff

A former Baltimore Orioles player whose son has autism, and the keynote speaker at the rally against the budget cuts.

Jessica Gallatin

A board member for the Self-Directed Advocacy Network of Maryland, an organization that supports individuals with developmental disabilities.

Amy Gallagher

The president of the Cool Kids Campaign Frederick, a group that advocates for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Guy Guzzone

The Democratic chairman of the Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, who acknowledged the difficulty of the budget cuts.

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What they’re saying

“We are here to demand a better path forward.”

— Carin Smith, Founder, Maryland Self-Direction Services

“It's the difference between surviving and thriving. Cuts to self-direction won't just affect the budget, because our individuals, they are not just a line item. They're real people. We're real families. And there are real lives that are affected every single day.”

— B.J. Surhoff

“They feel humanity and the people surrounding them. They feel respect when it is given, and it should be given — not as a choice, but by default for being human.”

— Jessica Gallatin, Board Member, Self-Directed Advocacy Network of Maryland

“We just can't afford it. I actually sold my photography studio of 25 years, sold my house. I downsized so that I could be available to afford this lifestyle, so I could give my daughter a better life.”

— Amy Gallagher, President, Cool Kids Campaign Frederick

“This was a tough one. It was tough because you never want to be in a position to be pulling back some resources in that community at all.”

— Guy Guzzone, Chairman, Maryland Senate Budget and Taxation Committee

What’s next

Advocates are calling on state delegates to use a budget surplus to fill the wage cuts and work with the Senate in a conference committee to find a solution that avoids devastating reductions to critical disability services.

The takeaway

These proposed budget cuts to Maryland's Developmental Disabilities Administration highlight the fragility of the support systems that many vulnerable residents rely on, and the urgent need to protect and strengthen services that allow individuals with disabilities to live with dignity and independence in their communities.