(Thanks again to Margaret Puddington for this..)
Please share with your groups & programs!
This is our last chance to influence the budget! Call today and tomorrow (3/23 and 3/24), even if you’ve already called.
Despite the fact that there is more than a $7 billion surplus in the State plus an additional $300 million in revenue, neither the State Assembly nor the Senate has recommended additional funding for services for people with developmental disabilities!
FAMILIES CANNOT BE CAREGIVERS FOREVER, AND SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES MUST BE SAVED!
MAKE 4 QUICK CALLS RIGHT NOW:
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: (518) 455-4800
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos: (518) 455-3171
Your State Senator: Senate Switchboard: (518) 455-2800. To find out who your Senator is, go to: www.nysenate.gov/senators.
Your State Assembly Member: Assembly Switchboard: (518) 455-4100. To find out who your Assemble Member is, go to: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/search/.
TELL THEM TO FIGHT FOR:
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$30 million in funding for development of residences and other vital services for people living at home with families struggling to meet their needs
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An increase of $37 million for 4410 Special Education Preschools for 3-5 year-olds, and an increase of $20 million for 853 Special Education programs for children ages 5-21. These programs will close their doors without additional revenue now.
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A 4.8% increase for Early Intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. Many Early Intervention programs have already closed because of insufficient funding.