Action Alert: Contact your Legislators to Push for Funding for Aging Services

Action Alert

March 20, 2017

What is Happening

STATE

• Older New Yorkers and advocates have been calling, meeting and writing their legislators pushing for funding for aging services.  An astounding 17,100 letters from 135 centers were sent to the Governor opposing the Title XX cuts.  Seniors have been loud and clear and this has made a major difference – great work!
• Last week, the Senate and Assembly each passed their own “One House” budget bills. These bills outline each chamber’s funding priorities for the state budget.  While the Senate and Assembly budget bills are not identical, there are encouraging signs that show the legislature’s commitment to increasing funding for aging services.  Highlights include:

o   Rejection of the Title XX cuts that would force the closure of 65 NYC senior centers;

o   Increased funding for Community Services for the Elderly (CSE), as well as restoring   the 25% local waiver language;

o   Funding restored for elder abuse services, transportation, direct care workers;

o   Funding added for COLA and NORCs.

• The next step is for the Assembly and Senate to go into conference committee meetings together where they work out final details and come to an agreement on funding for the state budget.  The final budget will likely be passed by March 31.
• During the conference committee meetings over the next week, Assembly Members and Senators physically stand up in their respective conference meetings for budget issues that they support and are a priority for them.  See more info below for how you can ask for their support during budget meetings.

CITY

• On March 13th, over 400 older New Yorkers from every corner of the city converged on City Hall to for a rally and the aging budget hearing. The message was loud and clear - "This is the Year of the Senior!"   It was an amazing turnout and shows the power and dedication of older New Yorkers and the aging network.  Click here for pictures and more information.

What You Can Do

STATE

• Continue to ask SENIORS to call their Assembly Member/Senator this week to ask for support in the budget for senior centers and programs. Call Albany or local office. The message is simple:

Don't let my senior center close. Restore Title XX funds. Fund services for seniors. Thank you for your support.

No dejes que mi centro de ancianos de cierre. Restaurar los fondos del Título XX. Financiar los servicios para las personas mayores. Gracias por su apoyo.

不要讓我的老人中心關閉.  重新恢復 XX預算.  編列對耆老們服務的預算. 感謝您的支持!

• Ask your STAFF/BOARD OF DIRECTORS to call or email their Senator and Assembly Member with this message: “Please show your support for older New Yorkers and stand up for aging services funding during your conference meetings. This includes the increased funding for Community Services for the Elderly (CSE) funding for the 17,000 seniors on waiting lists for services statewide, elder abuse funding and restoration of the Title XX cut.  Thank you."

CITY

• LiveOn NY will be launching a citywide letter writing campaign on the city budget in a few weeks – stay tuned for more details. 
• Plan to attend Senior Advocacy Day on Wednesday May 3 at City Hall and 250 Broadway.  We will reach out to you soon with more details.

HOW TO FIND YOUR LEGISLATORS

STATE

• Click here to find your New York State Assembly Member
• Click here to find your New York State Senator

CITY

• Click here to find your City Council Member.

For more information contact Bobbie Sackman, Associate Executive Director of Public Policy at 212-398-6565x226 or bsackman@liveon-ny.org or Andrea Cianfrani, Director of Public Policy at 212-398-6565x233 or acianfrani@liveon-ny.org

THANK YOU FOR TAKING ACTION ON THIS IMPORTANT ISSUE.

Click here for a printable version of this alert.

LiveOn NY Applauds Legislature's Commitment to Increased Funding for Aging Services

Click here for a printable version of this Statement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   

March 17, 2017                                                                       

Contact: Bobbie Sackman, Associate Executive Director of Public Policy

917-690-2805 or bsackman@liveon-ny.org

LiveOn NY Applauds Legislature’s Commitment to Increased Funding

for Aging Services in Budget Proposals

LiveOn NY thanks Senator Sue Serino (R, C, I—Hyde Park), Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo (D-Binghamton), Chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging, for their leadership during the 2017-18 state budget process to prioritize vital resources to support older New Yorkers.

Older New Yorkers fuel the economy, create jobs, provide vital unpaid caregiving services and volunteer in their communities.  Currently, 20 percent (3.7 million) of NYS residents are 60 years of age or older for the first time in history, and due to longer life and the aging of the baby boom generation. With more people living longer than ever before, the State faces both a challenge and an opportunity. By 2025, 51 counties will have 25% or more of their population over the age of 60. New York State must have a comprehensive plan to address the millions of older New Yorkers now and the thousands that will turn age 60 over the next few years.  17,000 seniors statewide are already on waiting lists for community based services and this number will only continue to grow without adequate funding and a strong infrastructure.

The aging network is the safety net for New York’s Seniors.  By investing in aging services, New York can say Yes to older New Yorkers.

LiveOn NY looks forward to working with Senator Serino, Assemblywoman Lupardo, their Senate and Assembly colleagues along with Governor Cuomo on important issues affecting the aging network.

News Coverage On Title XX Cuts to Senior Centers

Politico, Feb. 6 – Cuomo plan for federal funds could blow a hole in city’s budget for seniors

Governor Cuomo’s transfer of funds for federal Title XX funds eliminates language that allows $17 million to be used for senior centers. 65 senior centers would close leaving 6000 older New Yorkers a day without their local senior center.

By: Gloria Pazmino and Josefa Velasquez
Monday, 6 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Politico New York

Politico, Feb. 7 – Chairs of Legislature’s Aging Committees push for senior services budget funds

Senate and Assembly aging chairs held the first ever joint press conference of the two chairs moving forward a bi-partisan effort to address waiting lists for senior services statewide and prevent cuts to NYC senior centers.

By: Nick Niedzwiadek
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Politico New York

WBNG, Feb. 7 - Legislature urged to address needs of NY's growing senior population

Hundreds of aging advocates from across New York were in Albany Tuesday to ask state leaders to "Step up for Seniors" by making the state's aging population a priority in this year's budget.

By: Nicky Hickling
Tuesday, 7 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: WBNG.COM

Politico, Feb. 8 – Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle showed concerned over Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to redirect funds from adult care to child care services

At a joint legislative budget hearing on human services, Sen. Cathy Young, the head of the finance committee in the Republican-led Senate, and Democratic Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo, told the acting commissioner of the Office of Children and Family Services that the cost shifting proposal could leave counties on the hook for funding adult care services if the governor’s proposal were enacted.

By: Josefa Velasquez
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Politico New York

HVNN, Feb. 8 -Senator Serino and Assemblywoman Lupardo Stand Up for Seniors

Senator Sue Serino of Hyde Park and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo of Binghamton led a large group of senior citizen advocates and bi-partisan lawmakers on Wednesday in a call to legislative leaders to make New York’s senior a priority in the state budget.

By: Intern
Wednesday, 8 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: HVNN.com

Politico, Feb. 17 – Seniors brace for cuts after Cuomo declines to amend budget language

Thousands of senior citizens are facing the prospect of losing their senior centers after Gov. Andrew Cuomo failed to amend language in his $152.3 billion executive budget proposal, leaving in place a shift of funds that could result in the closing of facilities and a $17 million hole in the city’s budget.

By: Gloria Pazmino
Friday, 17 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Politico New York

Kings County Politics, Feb. 17 – Brooklyn Lawmakers On The Move

Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer yesterday urged Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to reverse the more than $17 million in cuts and cost shifts outlined in his Fiscal Year 2017-2018 (FY17-18) Executive Budget proposal that would result in a loss of funding that supports more than one million seniors in the City.

By: Kings County Politics
Friday, 17 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Kings County Politics

Public News Service, Feb. 20 - Cuomo Budget Cuts Senior Centers

Advocates for older New Yorkers are calling on state legislators to restore funds for New York City senior centers cut from Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget.  In his State of the State address, the governor announced he would make New York the first age-friendly state in the nation.  But his budget calls for cutting $17 million of federal funds for senior centers in the city, shifting the money to child care instead. 

By: Andrea Sears
Monday, 20 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Public News Service

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Feb. 22 – Squadron enlists seniors to fight Cuomo’s $17 million senior center budget cut

State Sen. Daniel Squadron kicked off a tour of Brooklyn senior centers on Tuesday to organize older adults to fight Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budget cuts to the centers.

By: Mary Frost
Wednesday, 22 February 2017
Publication & Publisher: Brooklyn Daily Eagle

NY 1, Feb. 23 - Elected Officials, senior citizens in Bayside protest Governor Cuomo's budget

Bibi Vitberg said when she lost her job a few years ago, she felt empty.  But that all changed when she joined the Self Help Clearview Senior Center.  "I found a new home, I'm here almost every day, and I enjoy everything they do," said Vitberg. 

By: Shannan Ferry
Thursday, February 23 2017
Publication & Publisher: TWC News NY 1

Fox 5, Feb. 27 – Some NYC senior centers could close under budget plan

Many senior citizens in New York City have serious reason to be concerned. If there are no changes made to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget proposal, 65 senior centers in the city could be forced to close.

By: Melissa Etezadi
Monday, February 27 2017
Publication & Publisher: Fox 5

Queens Chronicle, Mar. 2 - Senior centers endangered by guv's proposal

Many are warning that senior centers will be devastated if Gov. Cuomo’s proposal to repurpose federal block grant monies used to fund them goes unchallenged. Sixty-five facilities are expected to close in New York City if the $17 million is redirected to child care programs, as the state’s top executive plans.

By: Ryan Brady
Thursday, March 2, 2017
Publication & Publisher: Queens Chronicle

City & State NY Slant, Mar. 6 -  Age-Friendly New York? Not with Cuomo's budget cuts

Just days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo made the declaration in his State of the State tour that New York would become the first age-friendly state in the nation, he presented a budget that blatantly ignores the needs of older New Yorkers.

By: Bobbie Sackman
Monday, March 6 2017
Publication & Publisher: City & State New York Slant

Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Mar. 7 - Bay Ridge polls urge Cuomo to restore funding for seniors

State Sen. Marty Golden says he will not vote for the state budget if it cuts funding to senior citizen programs. Assemblymember Nicole Malliotakis is also fighting to save the funding. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas

By: Paula Katinas
Tuesday, March 7 2017
Publication & Publisher: Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Assemblyman Braunstein, Senator Stavisky, & Assemblywoman Rozic Join Seniors at SelfHelp to Protest Governor's Proposed Cuts to Senior Centers

Action Alert: Two Quick Ways to Take Action to Support Senior Centers and Programs

ACTION ALERT - March 6, 2017

What is Happening

The city and state budgets are moving forward. As LiveOn NY reported, there are serious threats to Title XX funds in the state budget which would result in the closure of at least 65 senior centers, as well as $13 million in cuts and cost shifts to aging services. In the city budget, there is no new money for home care, despite citywide waitlists of 560 seniors, which grows monthly, and no new money for Case Management Services despite over 1,800 seniors on waitlists - a 30% increase from last year.

What You Can Do

Here are two easy ways to get involved.

CITY

• Attend the Rally and City Council Committee on Aging Budget Hearing on Monday, March 13, 2017 at City Hall.  We need hundreds of seniors to fill up the Chambers for the hearing – you can register to testify at the hearing if you want. You can also attend the rally before the hearing.  Here’s a quick look at the schedule for March 13:
• Arrive by 9:00am if you want to attend the rally on the steps of City Hall, so you can get through security and get to the steps of City Hall.
• Arrive by 9:30/9:45 to attend the hearing to allow time to get through security and get seated inside City Hall.
• Wear shirts and hats with the name of your senior center. 
• Email Andrea at acianfrani@liveon-ny.org if you plan to attend.

STATE

• Ask seniors/staff to call their Assembly Member and Senator this week ask for support in the budget for senior centers and programs. Call Albany or local office. The message is:
• Don't let my senior center close.  Restore Title XX Funds. Thank you for your support of seniors.
• No dejes que mi centro de ancianos cierre. Reponga los fondos del título XX. Gracias por su apoyo a ancianos.
• 告訴他們 :  不要關閉我們的老人中心.  重新恢復 XX預算.  感謝您對耆老們的支持! 

How to Find your Legislators

STATE

• Click here to find your New York State Assemblymember
• Click here to find your New York State Senator

CITY

• Click here to find your City Council Member.

Media Update:  
Click here to read LiveOn NY Associate Executive Director of Public Policy Bobbie Sackman’s Op-Ed titled "Age-Friendly New York? Not With Cuomo's Budget Cuts" that appeared this morning in City & State New York Slant.

Contact Bobbie Sackman, Associate Executive Director of Public Policy at 212-398-6565x226 or bsackman@liveon-ny.org or Andrea Cianfrani, Dep. Director of Public Policy at 212-398-6565x233 or acianfrani@liveon-ny.org

Click here for a printable version of this Alert.

Keep fighting to stop closing of Senior Centers!

ACTION ALERT

 Over 16,000 Letters from 124 Senior Centers and Programs Sent to Governor Cuomo Opposing Cut Closing 65 NYC Senior Centers

We Need Your Help to Keep Fighting!

NEED THOUSANDS OF CALLS, CALLS, CALLS TO YOUR STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND SENATORS!

KEEP SENDING LETTERS TO GOVERNOR CUOMO FROM SENIORS WHO HAVEN’T SENT THEM YET!

JOIN THE MOVEMENT - GO, GO, GO!

What is Happening:

• The Governor had until February 16 to remove the troubling Title XX language that would affect NYC senior centers in the state budget – but he did not remove it, leaving at least 65 centers at risk.

• NYC will lose $17 million in Title XX funds, forcing 65 senior centers to close in virtually every Assembly and Senate district. 6,000 seniors per day would lose their local senior center, 1.5 million meals per year will be lost. There will be 24,000 of lost hours of case work assistance for benefits, housing and other needs. In addition, the 2017-18 State Executive Budget contained $13 million to the State Office for the Aging.

• The budget now moves to the Assembly and Senate to work out the final details. The final budget is typically passed in mid/late March.

What You Can Do: 

1. HOLD A PRESS CONFERENCE WITH YOUR STATE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND SENATORS. Many press conferences have already happened around the city. Legislators are in their city office on Thursdays and Fridays. Call them at the district office to invite them. Elected official and senior center can invite media. Talk about the Title XX issue and the need for aging services in the final budget. Send photos and links to media coverage to acianfrani@liveon-ny.org and we will put them on our website.

2. Click here for LiveOn NY’s Budget Response. Click here for the full state budget priorities agenda. Print out and give them a copy of the documents. Ask them for their help on these issues and thank them for their support.

3. Ask seniors/staff to call their Assembly Member and Senator to ask for support in the budget for senior centers and programs. Call Albany or local office. The message is:

   Don't let my senior center close.  Restore Title XX Funds. Thank you for your support of seniors.

   No dejes que mi centro de ancianos cierre. Reponga los fondos del título XX. Gracias por su apoyo a ancianos.

   告訴他們 :  不要關閉我們的老人中心.  重新恢復 XX預算.  感謝您對耆老們的支持! 

4. Arrange a meeting with your State Assembly Member and Senator to talk about your program and the need for funding in more detail.

5. Keep Sending Letters to the Governor: If seniors at your program haven’t already sent letters – please do so now. We need thousands more to tell him to allow Title XX funds to be used for senior centers so they don't close. Click here for instructions and the model letter which is in English, Chinese and Spanish. Mail the letters directly to the Governor and let us know how many you sent (see instructions)

6. Email Andrea at acianfrani@liveon-ny.org to let us know of the events you are holding, meetings you have and key relationships you have developed with legislators so we can continue to build a supportive network

How to Find your State Legislators

• Click here to find your New York State Assembly Member

• Click here to find your New York State Senator

Thank you for your support!

PLAN TO ATTEND City Council Committee on Aging Budget Hearing Monday, March 13, 2017 10:00am at City Hall We need hundreds of Seniors to fill up the Chambers. You can register to testify at the hearing if you want. Please arrive around 9:15am to get through security and find seats. Wear shirts and hats with the name of your senior center! More information to follow! See ya there!

Printable Version for this Alert