Families had come from across the state to share their stories. Some cried when they talked of sick children without treatment, or mentally ill parents with no place to live but a state-run hospital. Legislator Howard blames Bruton for problems with the state's child support collection system. Some lawmakers wanted to try the system on a small scale to make sure it worked. Bruton decided to roll it out statewide, and the system was instantly swamped by a caseload larger and more complex than officials anticipated.
Families say the apology comes too late.
Choices, priorities Critics say Bruton has also failed to hire strong, creative managers. One of his most recent hires was Iverson Riddle, the state's new mental health director. Riddle wasn't popular among some families and patient advocates because he spent most of his career working in a state institution and has little experience with community-based programs. Lawmakers question other staffing decisions. At a recent legislative meeting, department officials unveiled a new organizational chart they said would greatly improve the state's mental health system.