Legislation Goes on to Governor for Final Action
(Queens, NY) Saying that it will “help make state services for some of our most vulnerable New Yorkers whole again,” NYS Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Queens) is praising the Senate approval of legislation (S.4777/A.6692) he co-sponsored to restore hurtful cuts made to programs for developmentally disabled adults and children in the 2013-2014 State Budget.
“While the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) was originally slated for a $120 million cut in the 2013-2014 budget, I found it reprehensible that the State Legislature was only able, in the end, to restore $30 million for these services,” Addabbo said. “This basically chopped $90 million in state support from some of our most important programs serving some of our most fragile residents. Even worse, when federal matching funds for these services were factored in, these programs for disabled children and adults were actually targeted for a $180 million hit. That’s why the passage of this legislation is such a great victory and I am gratified to have been a part of it.”
Under the legislation, up to $90 million will be provided for the OPWDD, fully restoring the lost support. The agency has been working with advocates for the developmentally disabled to propose and implement an action plan to achieve savings in the programs without sacrificing quality of care, and this bill will help to fill in any funding gaps that might not otherwise be addressed.
“If we had not been able to restore this funding, children and adults in need of services would have suffered, along with their families,” said Addabbo, who voted against the budget bill containing the OPWDD cuts in protest of the reductions. “Programs would have closed, putting people out of work and depriving developmentally disabled people of support and vital resources. In short, we would have made it much harder for those who struggling every day and who need our help to live up to their highest personal potential.”
In praising the Senate passage of the legislation, Addabbo also congratulated advocates for the developmentally disabled who worked so hard to demonstrate the need for funding restorations. “These are the real heroes and heroines in this battle, and I am glad that I was able to help fight the good fight on their behalf,” he said.
The legislation has also been approved by the State Assembly and will now go to Governor Cuomo for final action.
