The state Developmental Disabilities Administration released its proposed FY2010 budget and only a 1 percent increase in funding will be allotted to community service providers, such as The Arc of Prince George's County, as the state attempts to weather the economic storm ravaging the entire nation.

As reported in the Blade-News last week, more than 18,000 Marylanders await assistance from the DDA. The number of families in Prince George's County awaiting assistance is 2,843 - the most in any county in the state. The nearly 3,000 county residents in need of assistance is a 125 percent jump from 2004 to '08.

More than 100...