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Enacted Budget Summary
Last Saturday, April 20, the legislature passed and governor signed the 20-day late FY25 Enacted Budget. Although The Arc New York and disability advocates fought hard for a 3.2% COLA and a $4,000 Direct Support Wage Enhancement, the Enacted Budget only included a 2.84% COLA applied to all eligible programs, with the stipulation that a portion of those funds be applied to a 1.7% salary increase. The Executive Budget initially proposed only a 1.5% COLA. On providing a balanced budget Governor Hochul stated that, “FY 2025 Budget makes record investments in the people of New York.”
Unfortunately, those record investments neglected the needs of people with disabilities.
In a letter to advocates last week, The Arc New York CEO Erik Geizer stated, “The 2.84% COLA will provide some funding to support the rising cost of operating programs…it is something, but it is far from enough…New York has again failed to meet the needs of New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities.” You can read the full letter here.
We have assembled a summary update on additional budget items, which were previously highlighted following the introduction of the Executive Budget. Several proposals were unfortunately omitted in the final budget, such as allowing DSPs to perform certain nursing tasks, joining interstate compacts for medical professionals, and changes to Justice Center notifications to the OMIG. View the Division of Budget's Enacted Budget overview here for more information.
New York Daily News Publishes Response to NYS Budget
In immediate response to the Enacted Budget, The New York Daily News published an opinion piece by Marco Damiani, CEO, AHRC NYC. The article succinctly highlights what was and what was not included within the FY25 budget and paints an accurate picture of the current state of supports and services for people with I/DD and how lawmakers should proceed moving forward. In his comments, Damiani noted, “…it’s crucial for policymakers to enact legislation mandating fair wages for DSPs and the frontline workforce, ensuring that their contributions are duly recognized and compensated.”
The Arc New York Supports Expansion of Preferred Source
Erik Geizer, CEO, The Arc New York signed a letter of support for legislation that would help the formerly incarcerated, many of whom live with a disability, secure stabilizing employment opportunities (A9544/S8937).
Geizer noted, “People with disabilities are overrepresented at all stages of the criminal justice system, from jail and prison to probation and parole. According to a February 2024 report by the Prison Population Initiative, the percent of individuals in the prison population with disabilities is 40% as compared to 15% of the US general population. For women, those incarcerated with disabilities rises to 50%.”
One of the sponsors, Assemblyman John McDonald penned an op-ed for the Empire Report and stated, “This bill isn’t just good criminal justice policy, it’s good economic policy, good tax policy, and good human policy. It will reduce recidivism and help the formerly incarcerated secure employment, which generates income tax for the state and reduces human service spending.”
We will continue to track the progress of this important legislation and provide updates as needed.
Tell the FDA to Stop the Shock!
The U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule that could stop the abuse and torture of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities through electro-shock devices—and they need to hear from you!
Submit a comment to the FDA by May 28 and tell them people with disabilities deserve to live free from torture and fear.
For decades, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been tortured by shock devices at the Judge Rotenberg Center, an institution in Massachusetts. Residents are forced to wear a shock device, and staff members use remote controls to administer a shock for perceived misbehavior. The Judge Rotenberg Center is the only place in the country that uses this barbaric and inhumane practice, despite substantial evidence that the shocks are painful and traumatizing to residents.
The Arc is raising our voices nationwide. Send a message now through the one-click campaign and tell the government to stop the shock! The Arc New York will submit comments directly to the FDA as well.
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