April 21, 2025

URGENT: LATE NYS BUDGET NEARING THE FINISH LINE

The New York State budget is now three weeks late, but negotiations are starting to move forward. While very important fiscal conversations have yet to be tackled, we are expecting those matters to be resolved shortly, and anticipate a final Enacted Budget will be released soon.

When legislators return to Albany on Tuesday for their Senate and Assembly party conferences, they will be briefed on the progress that has been made. Given that, we need everyone to be on high alert and take action!

We need all hands on deck. We've updated our one-click campaign to help facilitate action, and reworked the info sheet created with our New York Disability Advocates partners, which details the current need and talking points, and outlines ways to take effective action. Our budgetary ask has not changed. We are laser focused on a flexible 7.8% Targeted Inflationary Increase (TII) for FY26.

We encourage each of you to reach out to your legislators that you have spoken to since the fall and impress upon them the need for them to stand up in their respective Conferences and INVEST IN US!

The Arc GLOW Hosts Community Forum on Federal issues

As the conversation with our federal leaders continues, we are very proud of The Arc Glow for hosting a town hall, to which Congresswoman Claudia Tenney was invited. Unfortunately she chose not to attend, but the message was carried, and our interactions with her office continue.

Issues ranged from cutting the federal Education Department, reducing Medicaid and Medicare, and deportation to cuts in aid to food banks and healthcare, and how to best support what matters to people Tenney represents.

The Arc New York’s Bobby Greco Publishes Op-Ed on NYS Budget Needs

Bobby Greco sits on board of The Arc Ontario and The Arc New York Board of Governors. In a recent op-ed in the Finger Lake Times, he stated, "between being on these boards and having to fight for my needs my entire life, I have a good perspective on how things work."

We agree! His perspective as a self-advocate and Board member is unique, and we encourage you to read his entire message here.

Erik Geizer Sends Response to NYS Congressional Delegation on Their Support for Medicaid

After disability advocates from all over New York and the nation came together in Washington for Disability Policy Seminar earlier this month, The Arc New York CEO Erik Geizer sent a letter thanking Congressional representatives for their availability and openness during Hill visits.

Within his comments, he noted a recent letter sent to Speaker Johnson from thirteen members of Congress, four of whom represent New York, urging the Speaker to prioritize care for our nation’s most vulnerable populations. 

In Geizer’s letter he commended Reps. Lawler, Malliotakis, LaLota, and Garbarino for their letter and for committing to preserving Medicaid funding. "It is the moral, just and appropriate position to take," Geizer stated, "and I encourage the other Representatives on this letter to join in this public position."

This and all advocacy updates are archived on The Arc New York website for future reference. Please contact us if you have questions regarding any of this information.