Include 3.2% & DSWE in Enacted Budget

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Your Governor
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Your State Representative or Representatives

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Dear [Decision Maker],

Investment in disability services staff AND service infrastructure is critical to the continued independence, health and safety of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

Gov. Hochul's proposed 1.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) and the additional 1.7% increase in the COLA by the NY Senate and Assembly are appreciated, but do not reflect the urgent needs for staffing AND service provision for New Yorkers with I/DD.

The language in the one-house budget for the Senate and Assembly is too narrow in scope and disregards critical facets of our system, including transportation, technology, facilities management, and even food for the people we support.

Additionally, while the Senate included the Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE), it was omitted in the Assembly's one-house budget and the executive budget proposed by the governor. We need both the COLA and the DSWE if we are going to address the needs of our community.

Now, we must tell Gov. Hochul and our legislators to come back to the negotiating table for:

*A 3.2% Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) with language that does not overly restrict how funds must be allocated.

*A Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) based on S4127-A/A5268-A.

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I call on you to seize this opportunity to continue rebuilding our system of care and fulfilling your commitment to New Yorkers with I/DD. Over the past several years we have finally started to see the needle move in a mostly positive direction, but we must stay the course to help foster a brighter future for people with I/DD and the people who support and care for them.

Thank you for the opportunity to address this important issue and I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]