No More Cuts to Disability Services

Dear Friends,

It is imperative that we keep pressure on Gov. Cuomo and continue to tell him that we will not accept any funding cuts for disability services.  The budget negotiations are still on-going.  There continues to be a divide between our legislators and the governor in regards to the 6% funding cut to OPWDD services.  We have been advised that continuing to call and email the Governor's office is having an impact.  THEY ARE KEEPING A COUNT OF EVERY CALL AND EMAIL.  YOUR VOICE COUNTS.  Please call Gov. Cuomo's office now.  the number is 518-474-8390.  Choose Option #3 to speak with an assistant.  Leave your name and your zip code and let Gov Cuomo know that you oppose these cuts.  Our time to speak up for those who cannot always speak for themselves is running out.  Please call now.

Hello Everyone-

We are in the final stretch and we really need your help.  Please call your legislators and and tell them it is imperative that they keep their promise to fight to restore full funding for programs for people with developmental disabilities to the budget.  Please call Gov Cuomo and tell him that you are not willing to sacrifice our most vulnerable citizens to budget cuts.

The phone number for Governor Cuomo is 518-474-8390.  

BUDGET: IF YOU HAVE A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR LEGISLATOR, CALL HIM OR HER
Please help us fight to have the 6% cuts restored that threaten to negatively impact services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across our state.  If you make a few simple phone calls, leave voicemail messages, or send email messages to your legislators today, they will hear our voice!  Our legislators have told us that this has the greatest impact on their decisions.  They told us not to let up!  Keep the pressure on and stand together.  We are getting attention, because we have a concerted effort and we are mobilized. 

IT'S NOT OVER YET, BUT IT COULD BE AT ANY TIME, so call asap

The budget was supposed to conclude yesterday or the night before. It didn't. There are a number of issues that have become stuck, including ours. That's good. Too many members aren't willing to give in. But they will fold up if you let up.

Execs. key board people, people who know your legislators, call them - especially Republican Senators, IDC Members (Senators Klein, Carlucci, Smith, Savino, Valasky) and Democratic Assembymembers (also, Senate Democrats are a minority only by a thin margin). Let your legislators know they must keep their promise to you and their constituents. There are a lot of competing interests. Don't let up.
 MESSAGE TO YOUR LEGISLATORS: Keep your promise to your constituents with developmental disabilities and their families and all those employees they depend on who work in your district. Please let us know how our request for restoration of the $120 million cut is unfolding. TEll them:  The Legislature has so far only designated $40 million for possible restoration.  It MUST hold onto that and CAN do much better.  DON'T let us down Insist that your legislator advocate with their leadership (Senator Skelo, Senator Klein, Speaker Silver) for the money to do this restoration. Finally, have your local press call your legislator for an update, status report.  Local press are following this and can be our greatest advocate as they report back what your local legislator is doing for their district
ASSEMBLY CONTACT INFO GO TO: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/

SENATE CONTACT INFO GO TO: http://www.nysenate.gov/senators

Hello-

Just a quick update to let all of our supporters know that we need your help.

Negotiations on the 2013-14 State Budget continue in Albany. NYSACRA has learned the mental hygiene budget, specific to the restoration of the 6% cut to the not for profit developmental disabilities sector is the subject of intense negotiations between the Assembly, Senate and Executive. A full restoration, as contained in the Assembly and Senate one-house approved budget measures, is in jeopardy.  Therefore, we call upon you to make five telephone calls today and tomorrow. 

Please contact your member of the State Assembly and your member of the State Senate, Also call Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Republican Conference Leader Dean Skelos and Senate Democratic Conference Leader Jeff Klein (see contact information below).

Here is your message:

"Thank you, again, for the restoration of the 6% cut to the not for profit developmental disabilities providers in your one-house budget bill. We understand negotiations are ongoing and the full restoration is in jeopardy.  Please remain committed to the full restoration in the final State Budget.  People with developmental disabilities and agencies are counting on you.  Thank you for your leadership."

To contact your Senator call the Senate Operator at 518-455-2800 and ask to be transferred to your Senator's Office. You may also visit the Senate website at www.nysenate.gov to obtain your Senator's direct Albany office telephone number. 

To contact your Assembly member call the Assembly Operator at 518-455-4100 and ask to be transferred to your Assembly member's Office. You may also visit the Assembly website at www.assembly.state.ny.us to locate your Assembly member's direct Albany office telephone number.

The following are contact numbers for key leadership in the State Legislature:

Senator Dean Skelos:                        518-455-3171

Senator Jeff Klein:                             518-455-3595

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:     518-455-3791

Thank you for your continued support.  We need to keep the pressure on during budget negotiations.  Please take a moment to contact your legislators, email or call them.  Time is running out and we need your voice.

Thank you!

Kelly

Hello Friends-

We are making an impact!  The NYS Senate and Assembly are unilaterally proposing to Gov Cuomo that the OPWDD budget cuts be restored.  We need to continue to communicate our position to Governor Cuomo.  The budget is scheduled to be finalized by March 21.  Budget negotiations will be beginning.  Gov Cuomo needs to know that these cuts will hurt very vulnerable people in our communities and must be restored. Please continue to forward this petition via FACEBOOK, Twitter and email.  Let your friends and family know that we are getting close, but need their support to prevail.  Time is running short and every voice counts!

Thank you for your ongoing support

Kelly

Dear Friends--

Today, some of our supporters (many were people who will be or who love someone who will be directly impacted by these drastic cuts) visited their legislators in Albany.  

Thanks to each and every one of you for all of your efforts to help our friends with developmental disabilities, their families and their service providers.

Respectfully and with many thanks,

Kelly

Hi Friends-

Thank you so very much to all  of  you that have shown your support for this very important and time sensitive action.  As a quick update, we are up to over 7,000 signatures in just a week - and are still growing  I am so excited and thank each and every one of you for taking your time to sign and forward this petition along.  Let's keep it growing!  In the coming week, supporters will be visiting Albany to lobby to restore funding to the OWPDD budget, writing letters, emailing and calling their state representatives and Gov. Cuomo.  A link to send your letter to Gov Cuomo is now included in the body of the petition, along with some updated information.  The NYS Assembly and NYS Senate are aiming to present their budget recommendations (both which recommend restoring funding to OPWDD) to Gov. Cuomo by March 21.  Please continue to forward this to friends and family through Facebook, Twitter and Email.  Every voice counts.  Thank you so very much!  Kelly