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Action Alert: 17,500 LETTERS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR = 65 SENIOR CENTERS SAVED - LET'S DO IT AGAIN!
17,500 LETTERS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR =65 SENIOR CENTERS SAVED
17,500 LETTERS SENT TO THE GOVERNOR =
65 SENIOR CENTERS SAVED
LET'S DO IT AGAIN - CITY BUDGET TIME
When we come together and unite in a common voice, we win!
The Senate and Assembly passed the final budget this weekend which included funding for aging services, as well as a provision adding an unprecedented $125 million in capital funding for senior housing for low income seniors. LiveOn NY thanks Aging Committee Chairs Senator Sue Serino and Assemblywoman Donna Lupardo for their strong leadership during the budget process and for fighting vigilantly for aging services. We also thank Housing Chairs Senator Betty Little and Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz for their strong leadership on affordable senior housing funding.
Key highlights include:
- $17 million in Title XX funds restored for senior centers, saving the 65 NYC Senior Centers that were at risk
- $875,000 in new funding for for Community Services for the Elderly (CSE) - which helps to address the 17,000 seniors on waiting lists statewide
- $945,000 for statewide elder abuse victims’ services (same as last year)
- $500,000 for Enhanced Multi-Disciplinary Teams (EMDTs) (same as last year)
- $125 million for developing or rehabilitating affordable housing for low income seniors
The entire budget moves to Governor for final approval, and we are hopeful that he will sign and approve it. We will keep you updated.
CITY BUDGET
Clearly your advocacy works and now it is time to focus our efforts on the city budget.
This is why we are introducing our:
2017 Year of the Senior: City Letter Writing Campaign! Click here to get started right away!
Senior services deserve to be a priority in the City Budget - YOU are the safety net that supports Older New Yorkers and it's time your city supports you. Just as we did in fighting for Title XX funding, we will be writing letters to key elected leaders who can influence the amount of funding your program receives in the budget. Letters to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and your respective Council Member will send a clear and united message: 2017 is the Year of the Senior.
Just like before, we've made it easy by providing sample letters and clear instructions.
Click here for Instructions to print out
Click here for senior letter packet
Thank you - your efforts make THE difference!
- Have questions about the letter writing campaign? Contact Katelyn Hosey at 212-398-6565 x244 or khosey@liveon-ny.org
- Have questions about the budget? Contact Bobbie Sackman at 212-398-6565 X226 or bsackman@liveon-ny.org or Andrea Cianfrani at 212-398-6565 x233 or acianfrani@liveon-ny.org
- Want to know more? Check out LiveOn NY's webpage which contains information on our full budget ask, as well as other advocacy information: http://www.liveon-ny.org/budget-advocacy
- Want to stay connected? LiveOn NY is active on both Twitter and Facebook, where we will post updates on the letter writing campaign, as well as other aging issues. Be sure to follow and like @LiveOnNY
Join our City Budget "Year of the Senior" Letter Writing Campaign
Senior services deserve to be a priority in the City Budget - YOU are the safety net that supports Older New Yorkers and it is time your city supports you. We need seniors, staff and board members to send letters to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Council Members to send a clear and united message: 2017 is the Year of the Senior.
2017 YEAR OF THE SENIOR
CITY LETTER WRITING CAMPAIGN
Click here for a downloadable copy of the Instructions.
Click here for a downloadable copy of the senior letter packet.
Clearly your advocacy works and now it is time to focus our efforts on the city budget.
Senior services deserve to be a priority in the City Budget - YOU are the safety net that supports Older New Yorkers and it is time your city supports you. We need seniors, staff and board members to send letters to Mayor Bill de Blasio, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, and Council Members to send a clear and united message: 2017 is the Year of the Senior.
Our current goal is to get as many letters as possible sent by Friday May 19, 2017.
o Click here for instructions
o Click here for senior letter packet to personalize
o Click here for a general public letter to the Mayor
Thank You!
- Have questions about the letter writing campaign? Contact Katelyn Hosey at 212-398-6565 x244 or khosey@liveon-ny.org
- Have questions about the budget? Contact Bobbie Sackman at 212-398-6565 X226 or bsackman@liveon-ny.org or Andrea Cianfrani at 212-398-6565 x233 or acianfrani@liveon-ny.org
- Want to know more? Check out LiveOn NY's webpage which contains information on our full budget ask, as well as other advocacy information: http://www.liveon-ny.org/budget-advocacy
- Want to stay connected? LiveOn NY is active on both Twitter and Facebook, where we will post updates on the letter writing campaign, as well as other aging issues. Be sure to follow and like @LiveOnNY
Action Alert: Contact your Legislators to Push for Funding for Aging Services
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!
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
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.
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.
LiveOn NY's Spring Gala Dinner- This Year's Honorees!
An inspiring evening of cocktails, dinner, silent auction and a very special performance from Alive! 55+ and Kickin'!
Click here to learn more about sponsorship, tickets and journal ads!
This Year's Honorees
FreedomCare, Corporate Leadership Award
Sally Goldenberg and Gloria Pazmino, POLITICO New York, Media Award
Vy Higginsen, Mama Foundation for the Arts, Human Spirit Award
Funds raised through the Spring Gala help us provide critical advocacy, develop policy initiatives, work with seniors in need and change the way New Yorkers age.
Please join us for this inspiring event!
David V. Pomeranz, President
Support LiveOn NY by purchasing sponsorships, tickets, ticket packages and journal ads
click here or contact Regina Burden at rburden@liveon-ny.org or at 212-398-6565 x 232