We know the issue: funding has been cut to agencies that serve the developmentally disabled, and as a result, the employees and clients are suffering.

When the 2011-12 budget was passed last June, the agencies came together and held a vigil at the State House, encircling the building in what they called “A Circle of Hope.” At that time, the name was appropriate because there was still a shred of hope that something could be done to restore the funding that had so recently been taken away.

But now, it’s February, and the year is halfway over. The General Assembly and the Governor have said that nothing can be done. The budget was voted on and finalized, and funding cannot be restored.

On Tuesday, however, a group of roughly 90 people gathered in the State House rotunda to yet again attempt to get the $24 million in cuts restored. They appropriately picked Valentine’s Day, urging legislators to have a heart for the developmentally disabled and called themselves the “Have a Heart” coalition.

The noise of the rally, which included speeches from clients of agencies like Trudeau Center and the Blackstone Valley Arc, rang throughout the State House. Members of committees meeting in those early evening hours had to shut doors in order to conduct their normal business.

Though the noise was mighty, the message was unclear.

The gathering happened at 5 p.m., after the General Assembly had already convened and many members had left the building, so one has to wonder: whose attention were they trying to get?

In his State of the State address, Governor Chafee suggested raising taxes to help minimize cuts to human services. He has heard the cry for help, and has defended himself in previous months, reminding the public that his budget proposal suggested much smaller cuts than the General Assembly passed.

The General Assembly, too, has heard the cry. On Tuesday, members of the “Have a Heart” coalition delivered Valentines to Speaker Fox and Senate President Paiva-Weed’s offices. The coalition members were told General Assembly has deliberated the issue in preparation for spring budget hearings. No hearings have been scheduled to address the bills that propose immediate restoration of funds.

Now that their cry has been heard, the protesters need to save their voice. Perhaps the clients would be better served if they didn’t attend more rallies at the State House before the new budget is deliberated.

Last year the agencies failed to see the budget cuts and communicate to legislators what that would mean to clients. Now, they are best waiting for the forthcoming budget proposals and making their case in committee hearings where they will come face-to-face with legislators.