Legislative Issues

December 15, 2009

JOIN US FOR A STATEWIDE FAMILY ADVOCACY DAY

on January 7, 2010

OMRDD has just absorbed $65 million in additional cuts under the recently enacted Deficit Reduction Plan preventing, for now, an impact to voluntary agencies such as AHRC Nassau.  But further cuts are expected in the Governor’s 2010-2011 Budget which will impact voluntary agencies across NYS.   The outlook for 2010-2011 is expected to be much worse as the State’s deficit continues to grow.  We must not rest in our outreach and advocacy efforts!

On January 7, from Brooklyn to Buffalo and Montauk to Massena, people with developmental disabilities and their families will meet with their Assembly Members and State Senators, in their district offices, to implore them to fight to preserve our critical OMRDD services.  Family members will let their legislators know that OMRDD services suffered serious midyear cuts. We’ll meet with our legislators or their staff, and we’ll urge them to fight to preserve our critical OMRDD services.

Advocacy works! Our strong advocacy reduced the extent of December’s midyear cuts. Now, to save our OMRDD services, we must do it again. Together.

We will update you as more information becomes available.

December 2, 2009

IMMEDIATE ACTION REQUIRED!!!

The New York State Senate is set to approve a bill later today that will cut a whopping $60 MILLION in State and Federal Medicaid funding to OMRDD services – residential and day programs only. These cuts translate to every $1 the State saves, ($23 million in total) our service system LOSES $1.60 in federal dollars, totaling $60 MILLION.  Reportedly, the Assembly has already passed the bill in the early morning hours and our only hope is to STOP THESE CUTS IN THE SENATE!

We are asking everyone to call both their Democratic and Republican Senators and tell them to REJECT these cuts. Reiterate that for every $1 the state saves, ($23 million in total) our service system LOSES $1.60 in federal dollars, totaling $60 MILLION.

Please call the Senate Switchboard at (518) 455-2800 and ask for your Senator. To find your Senator, please visit: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

November 11, 2009 

Our message is being heard in Albany!

Several media outlets have reported that Governor Paterson and Speaker Sheldon Silver are voicing concerns over the loss of Federal Medicaid funds due to the Governor’s Deficit Reduction Plan (DRP). The DRP calls for a cut of $287 million over two year but that number grows to a whopping $748 million when the Federal share of Medicaid is factored into the equation.

Governor Paterson has called the Legislature back into session on Monday, November 16th to deal with the deficit. 

THE SENATE DEMOCRATS AND THE ASSEMBLY DEMOCRATS MUST HEAR FROM YOU WHILE THEY ARE BACK IN THEIR DISTRICT OFFICES THIS WEEK. 

Here’s how you can help:

1. Call Long Island's two Democratic Senators and thank them for their opposition to the 10% cut proposed in Governor Paterson's DRP.  Implore them to continue their opposition.
2. Call every Democratic Assembly Member and urge them to oppose Governor Paterson's proposed 10% cut to OMRDD local assistance.  Point out the loss of Federal revenue if the DRP is enacted for OMRDD services (Governor Paterson’s cut of $287 million over two-years grows to $748 million when the Federal share of Medicaid is factored into the equation).
3. Point out that Long Island will lose 1,500 to 1,600 jobs in the OMRDD voluntary sector if the DRP is enacted.
4. Call the legislators in their district offices.  District office phone numbers are listed on the Senate and on the Assembly website:

To find your Senator’s phone number go to: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

To find your Assembly member phone number go to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

October 27, 2009

UPDATE on Governor Paterson's Deficit Reduction Plan!

SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE SESSION DATE NOW TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10

The Governor has now set November 10 as the date for the special legislative session to enact his Deficit Deduction Plan (DRP). However, it is not clear that the Legislature has agreed to this date. While the Governor can force legislators into session, without an agreement in advance not much is likely to happen.

GOVERNOR PATERSON WANTS A JOINT SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE

The Governor has asked legislative leaders to allow him to address the Legislature in Joint Session on November 9, just prior to the Special Legislative Session he has called for November 10. Gov. Paterson would use the occasion to promote his budget cuts.

We STILL need your calls, letters and emails! Call your State Senator and Assembly Member and tell them to oppose the Governor’s Deficit Reduction Plan!

Download a sample parent letter

Download a sample staff letter 

For Talking Points, click here

To find your Senator’s phone number go to: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

To find your Assemblyperson’s phone number go to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/

or download a listing of State Senators and Assembly Members representing Nassau County

PLEASE CALL THE FOLLOWING ELECTED OFFICIALS AS WELL:

Speaker Sheldon Silver: Albany 518-455-3791; District 212-312-1420

Senate President Pro Tem Malcolm Smith: Albany 518-455-2701; District 718-528-4290

Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada Albany 518-455-3395; District 718-220-5480

Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson: Albany 518-455-2788; District 718-649-7653

 See the powerful testimony of parent and AHRC Board Member Saundra Gumerove, Esq. at the Senate Hearings on the Governor's Plan on Tuesday, October 27th:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODFxHr_ktZg