With an ever-growing budget deficit, Gov. Dannel Malloy cut $17 million to the developmentally disabled Wednesday.

The total series of cuts are set to take effect in about two weeks and total about $79 million.

Officials say the poor and the disabled are shouldering a big chunk of the cuts, especially Medicaid and programs for people with mental health issues and people with developmental disabilities.

Katie Banzhaf, executive director of Norwalk's Star Incorporated, says the cuts mean fewer people will be working and paying taxes.

"Everybody's worried about GE moving out, but I'm also worried that the parents who currently have jobs, that now one of them has to quit their job to stay home with their disabled child because they cannot be left alone."

The budget deficit is projected at about $220 million.