Just as last year, the budget was a concern.

The Department of Developmental Services has seen nearly $500 million in cuts to its budget in the past couple of years.

In July, lawmakers cut $254 million from the department's 2009-10 budget.

Advocates said those cuts are draining the services they offer. Any further cuts could lead to services being discontinued, said Carl London, a lobbyist for the California Disability Services Association.

But with the state trying to close a $20 billion gap in its budget, Friday morning's breakfast was more significant than in the past, said Karen Jones, executive director of Pomona Valley Workshop.

"We're really educating the legislators and understand the importance of the cuts," London said.

Assemblywoman Wilmer Amina Carter, D-Rialto, who was recognized by the caucus for her efforts to reduce cuts to disabled services, was not in attendance because she is on medical leave.

Instead, her field representative, Esther Rodriguez, read a statement from Carter. In her letter, Carter said she would continue to try to keep cuts as minimal as possible.

After hearing testimonials on the importance of disabled services funding, state Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Montclair, addressed the group.

"This is going to be a really hard year," she said.

McLeod, who sits on the budget committee, said it has been an extremely difficult process. At least twice a week, she hears similar stories from the public asking her not to make cuts to their programs or services.

Realistically, the budget woes facing the state probably won't get any better until 2014, she said.

For McLeod, the only promise she could make to the group was to make decisions that provided the least harm to the public.

"It's not what I got elected for. You have to understand we got elected and we do have to make the tough choices," she said. "It's tough as heck but it's my responsibility."