Just two weeks after imposing an immediate 15 percent cut to disability services in Florida, the state’s governor is backing down.

Gov. Rick Scott said Thursday that he would rescind the cuts after taking heat from disability advocates who warned that stripping money from group homes and other programs could seriously jeopardize residents with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.

The change of heart came after Scott reached a deal with members of the Florida House and Senate to provide about $30 million to the state’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Without any action, an inspector general’s report found that the agency would have gone broke by mid-May due to a $174 million budget shortfall.

“After years of deficit spending that put these services at risk, I’m glad that we’re taking steps to finally bring responsible financial management to this agency and the people they serve,” Scott said in a statement.

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