Dear Friends and Neighbors, 

I co-chaired the budget oversight hearing for the People with Disabilities Committee this week and questioned Commissioner Kerri Neifeld of the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities on the issues impacting New Yorkers with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Hundreds of advocates filled the War Room outside the Governor’s Office to rally for the vital workforce of direct support professionals to have wage parity with State workers.

New laws I cosponsored in the Assembly are taking effect to protect consumers from surprise credit card surcharges and to allow grieving families the option to terminate a lease early for a deceased tenant.    

As a reminder our office is closed this Monday, February 19, in observance of the legal State government holiday Presidents Day. 

Please don't hesitate to reach out to our community office if we can be of assistance.

 Phone: 212.288.4607

Email: SeawrightR@NYAssembly.gov

Sincerely,

REBECCA A. SEAWRIGHT 

Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright focused her line of questioning for the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) on the crisis of disinvestment of the Direct Support Professional workforce putting New Yorkers in harms way. Part one of her remarks can be viewed by clicking the above image.  

Part two of Assembly Member Seawright’s questioning of Commissioner Neifeld can be viewed by clicking the above image.  

"Hundreds of disability advocates filled the Capitol because we are on the precipice of a crisis. Not-for-profit providers are hemorrhaging workers because of unfair wages and a soaring cost of living. We are renewing our fight for these Direct Support Professional workers who are a lifeline for people living with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Without them, people would be in danger of losing their right to autonomy. Together, we will fight for a 3.2% COLA and the Direct Support Wage Enhancement bill to support the recruitment and retention of this vital workforce,” said Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright.  

Assembly Member Seawright joined The Arc for its annual Joint Legislative & Advocacy Forum to provide updates on the Assembly Budget, upcoming legislation, and advocacy strategies. Parents and family members, self-advocates, direct support professionals, not-for-profit agencies, and other stakeholders joined to bring their strong advocacy and input to the budget process.  

Chairs of the Assembly and Senate People with Disability Committees, Assembly Member Rebecca Seawright and Senator John Mannion discuss the Direct Support Wage Enhancement legislation that will provide a $4,000 per year, per worker wage increase.  

Direct support professionals thank Assembly Member Seawright for her support in fighting for more funding in the budget for people with disabilities.  

A new law has taken effect that Assembly Member Seawright cosponsored and strongly supported to help ensure transparency and fairness in credit card usage transactions, helping to safeguard New Yorkers from undue financial stress (Ch. 723 of 2023). There have been far too many instances where someone expects to pay one price only to be hit with a surprise fee for choosing to pay with a credit card. This type of bait and switch makes it difficult for people to budget. The new law will require merchants to transparently and prominently display the price of credit card transactions. It also prohibits them from imposing a surcharge higher than what the credit card company charges the seller. This allows small businesses to recoup those costs while protecting consumers.

Need help doing your taxes? The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) programs offer free basic tax return preparation for seniors and other qualifying taxpayers. For more information or to see if you are eligible for these services, please visit www.irs.gov/individuals/free-tax-return-preparation-for-qualifying-taxpayers.

Prospective members must submit a biography or resume and complete a comprehensive online application explaining why they want to join the board, what skills they offer, and their relationship to their districts. These applications are reviewed and evaluated by an independent screening panel. Qualified applicants are interviewed on the panel’s recommendation by staff members of the Manhattan Borough President’s office. Click here to apply!

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