Bryan:  Perception is independent from fact, but not excluded from the decision making process.  We have 60 legislators who have 60 different flavors of world view, which can range from well thought out and balanced, to closet psycho.  They control every State agency's budget.  They get bombarded almost daily with budget requests.  Because there are only 24 hours in a day, they often have to take mental short-cuts in their decision making.  In short, they often make "gut reaction" choices.  This makes every agency's budget a "crap-shoot".  And experience has shown that "politically correct" management, and approach to securing their next years budget, is the safest bet.  So, when some teacher or other concerned person reports that some kid has a small bruise from a spanking, Child Services feels the need to become heavily involved, so that nobody can accuse them of being slack in their duties.  This usually results in a CYA approach to every "child in need" report ... founded or not.