New York State Insider: New York State Assemblyman Thomas Abinanti 92nd District: People with Disabilities Need More.

 

ABINANTI PROPOSES BUDGET AMENDMENTS TO MAKE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES A PRIORITY

Assemblymember Tom Abinanti, as Chair of the Assembly Committee on People with Disabilities, has submitted a letter to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assembly Ways & Means Committee Chair Helene Weinstein urging that the Assembly make a broad range of amendments the Governor’s proposed budget to better support people with developmental and physical disabilities.   “While Governor Kathy Hochul’s proposed state Budget adds money in all of the right places, the total amounts are insufficient to meet current needs and do nothing to repair the damage done by years of neglect by the former governor,” said the Westchester Assemblymember.   Assemblymember Abinanti’s proposal would add significant funding to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities for:             -Workforce development (25% of support personnel jobs are vacant)             -Housing expansion and independent living opportunities             -Crisis services             -Job training and placement for people with disabilities             -Dentistry services   Assemblymember Abinanti’s proposal would add education funding including:             -Increase 853, 4201, 4410, and Special Act Schools funding to match inflation   Assemblymember Abinanti’s proposal would also:             -Properly fund Early Intervention             -Fund a Center of Excellence             -Provide a Tax Credit for Workers supporting people with disabilities             -Create a Credentialing and  Career Ladder Program             -Reform Tier 6             -Expand the Nurses Loan Forgiveness Program             -Create a Co-Navigator Pilot Program for people who are deaf/blind/hard of hearing             -Increase funding for programs for people who are deaf/blind/hard of hearing and programs for people with brain injuries