Standing Up for People with Developmental Disabilities
I am outraged by the Governor's failure to devote adequate resources to caring for people with developmental disabilities who count on the State for assistance. The New York State Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) was subject to a draconian cut of $90 million in the recent budget. Coupled with the resulting loss of federal matching funds, this constitutes an overall cut of $180 million – a cruel blow to some of the most vulnerable New Yorkers. The Legislature must move immediately to restore this mean-spirited funding cut.
The original proposed cut to OPWDD in the State budget was $120 million, which when combined with the resulting cuts in federal support would have resulted in a total loss of $240 million to the agency. Fortunately I and like-minded legislators were able to reduce the amount of cuts being proposed. As an outspoken advocate for the disabled community, I will do everything in my power to reverse this deplorable trend in the future.