AHRC New York City and its statewide disability service partners never cease advocating for increased governmental support for our programs. Governor Kathy Hochul is currently working with her staff to finalize her 2025 budget proposal, which will determine her administration’s priorities heading into fiscal negotiations with state legislators.
To keep New York State’s I/DD services front of mind for the governor during this crucial time, AHRC NYC joined with dozens of colleagues at a rally at the New York State Capitol in Albany on Tuesday, November 19th. Leading up to the rally, on Friday, November 15th, dozens of self-advocates gathered at AHRC NYC headquarters to learn about the budgeting process, discuss the policy issues at hand, and make signs together.
How the NYS Budget Gets Passed
Matthew Estep, Self-Advocacy Advisor at AHRC NYC, explained to our self-advocates how the budget is proposed and passed:
- New York State’s fiscal year runs from April 1-March 31. Between spring and early fall, state agencies assess their budgetary requirements and submit reports to the governor’s office.
- In October and November, the governor and her aides work together to determine the administration’s priorities. This is a crucial time to get the governor’s attention, as items proposed in the governor’s initial budget have a much higher chance of being included in the final budget when it is time to vote.
- The Governor’s office begins communicating its decisions in December, culminating with the Governor’s State of the State address in January, outlining her priorities for the upcoming year.
- Legislators meet throughout the winter months to hammer out the issues. This is the most active advocacy time, as stakeholders across the state lobby for their issues directly with their representatives in the Assembly and Senate. The legislature usually finalizes its proposed budget in mid-March.
- Towards the end of March, the Governor gathers with the Assembly Speaker, Carl Heastie, and the Senate Majority Leader, Andrew Stewart-Cousins, to find a compromise budget containing elements of the governor’s and the Legislature’s proposals. The final budget is then voted upon by the Assembly and Senate, and if passed, signed by the Governor.
Matthew and Tommy Heller, Quality Improvement Officer, encouraged self-advocates to be informed and involved in the budgetary process throughout the year, not just during the busiest advocacy times during the winter months. It is imperative for disability services to remain at the forefront of the governor and local legislators’ minds year-round.
A Plea for Funding from Albany
Statewide advocates organized a rally in the Capitol’s famous War Room on Tuesday, November 19th. Nonprofit leaders, direct support professionals, and people with disabilities spoke about the Governor’s need to fund a 7.8% Medicaid rate increase. Current rates no longer reflect the full cost of care. Every aspect of care, including direct support, housing, food, transportation, and more, must be funded adequately.
“I am one of thousands of parents who feel that we can’t die yet,” said a passionate Elly Rufer, mother of Katie, who lives in an AHRC NYC residence.
Katie’s future safety and happiness remains in jeopardy as a result of a staffing crisis that continues on today.
Elly Rufer, parent
Many service providers face high staff vacancy rates and high staff turnover rates because funding of programs has not kept of with inflation and costs of living for years. Programs and people with disabilities are left with overworked staff members and forced to constantly adjust to unfamiliar faces.
Elly added, “We implore the Governor and the legislature to understand that providers of services must remain solvent in order to keep Katie and her friends safe. Without them, there is nothing.”
