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After protracted debate, the President signed the budget reconciliation bill last week. While the new law doesn’t directly impact people with IDD specifically, it does affect Medicaid and SNAP recipients, and we anticipate new fiscal pressures on states will affect their budgets in the coming years. You can read a summary of what’s included in the new law here, and the full text here.
While the outcome is not what we hoped for, our collective advocacy was heard and recognized. We successfully fought back against even more destructive versions of the bill, and we will continue to fight to ensure legislators uphold their commitment that people with disabilities will not be harmed by these cuts. We thank you for your dedication, your voice, and your continued partnership in this critical work. Our fight does not end here.
So what's next?
As we move forward, it is important to continue building relationships with state leaders, and engaging with our federal representatives, especially as we head into August recess. We will update you with key talking points on any upcoming policy proposals that require your voice.
Join the NYDA Legislative Engagement Challenge
The NYS session just ended, but we are turning our attention back to state lawmakers to strengthen our relationships in preparation for budget advocacy in the late summer and early fall. We are excited to announce the launch of NYDA's In-District Legislative Engagement Challenge, an agency competition to spur direct, in‑district engagement with State Senators and Assemblymembers.
As you know, The Arc New York joined forces with other provider agencies to strengthen our unified advocacy efforts as New York Disability Advocates (NYDA), and this friendly competition is open to all IDD providers across the state. This is your chance to show off your programs and your commitment to advocacy!
This guide explains the full rules, scoring system, timelines, and tips to help your agency participate and WIN!
The Challenge in Short:
Timeline: July 1 – September 30, 2025
Who Can Participate: All not-for-profit I/DD Provider Agencies
Eligible Targets: Senate and Assembly members representing the agency’s service region
Grand Prize: $2,500 donation to the winning agency
Reporting: Submit each interaction within five business days using the Google form here. Note: connections made in early July can still be reported.
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