Backers of adoption subsidies push panic buttons on Blunt (great idea!)

Backers of adoption subsidies push ‘panic' buttons on Blunt

By SARA LUBBES

The Kansas City Star


JEFFERSON CITY— Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt had four panic buttons installed in the governor's mansion earlier this year. He now has 400 more.

Adoption advocates gathered at the Capitol on Wednesday to deliver hundreds of red plastic computer keys labeled “panic” to Blunt's office to draw attention to plans to cut adoption subsidies.

The Missouri General Assembly has approved a bill that would eliminate subsidies for adoptive families with incomes of more than 200 percent of the federal poverty level. For a family of four, that would be more than $38,700 a year.

Blunt has said the cuts to adoption subsidies are necessary to balance the budget and make sure the money will remain for those who need it most. But the cuts worry some adoptive parents, who say they will be forced into poverty.

http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/local/11446234.htm