And Democratic Representative John Dorn of Mankato suggested that the cuts may have been politically motivated at the federal level.

“Somehow or another, they have targeted something that we are good at,” Dorn said.

Tony Cornish, however, said he was divided.

The Republican from Good Thunder said there’s frustration about the budget deficit, which would rise to $423 billion with the adoption of Bush’s budget.

“No matter where you make the cuts, you’re going to get a reaction from some states or some counties,” Cornish said. “It’s a struggle for me, to balance my conservative roots against my emotions.”

Spokesmen for the area’s elected officials in Washington, D.C., said this issue is on their radar.

A spokesman for Gutknecht said the congressman is still gathering information and awaiting details from several agencies.

An online statement from the congressman reads: “It appears that (the bill) has particularly severe effects on the way we deliver social services in Minnesota.”

And a statement from Coleman said he has concerns regarding the reductions in case management funding and would send a letter to the Medicaid program’s administrator, urging him to broadly interpret the activities that could be billed for the service.

County officials are putting their hope on that re-interpretation. But even if that effort fails, they want to know that every avenue to secure the funding was tried.

Marc Buchanan is hoping they find a way.

“People don’t realize how hard it is (for those with mental illness) to get through the day,” he said.