FROM: Politico, March 15, 2017

Heastie: All sides agree on more money for direct care workers

By Josefa Velasquez

03/15/2017 02:10 PM EDT

ALBANY — The Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo appear to have reached an agreement to fund wage increase for direct care workers, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said Wednesday, but details are still elusive.

“Money for direct care workers, I think that’s something we all agree … that’s a perfect example where I think all sides agree on more money,” Heastie told reporters.

Direct care employers, those who work with the elderly and disabled, have been complaining that the increase in the minimum wage, while a positive for the state overall, means it will be harder to recruit and retain employees if they can earn as much working at a fast food restaurant.

The Assembly’s one-house budget proposal includes $45 million for direct care workers beginning in April, the start of the fiscal year.

While the Senate also supports $45 million for direct care workers, its one-house budget resolution calls for $11.25 million for the implementation of direct care workers’ salary increase beginning Jan. 1, 2018, the final quarter of the fiscal year.

A spokesman for the state’s budget division remained non-committal, despite Heastie’s remarks.

“Budget negotiations on this and hundreds of other issues continue,” said budget spokesman Morris Peters.

A spokesman for bFair2DirectCare — a coalition that includes nonprofits that serve the developmentally disabled — lauded the Legislature for committing to wage increases for direct care workers.

“We are hopeful that the final budget will include this funding to start providing direct care workers with a living wage,” said spokesman Steve Greenberg. “We hope it will start as soon as possible because the crisis is real and it’s upon us today and clearly lawmakers, Democrats and Republican, Senate and Assembly recognize this crisis that direct care agencies are facing and it requires immediate attention.”

To view online:
http://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2017/03/heastie-all-sides-agree-on-more-money-for-direct-care-workers-110395

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