As you may have already heard, Governor Cuomo has proposed a 6% cut to all voluntary agencies funded by the New York Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD.) This cut amounts to approximately $308,000 for The Arc of Orleans County. This is HUGE, and it will be challenging for the Agency to manage. The Arc's Management team is already working on developing a list of ideas of items to cut within an already lean budget. In addition, we need to advocate strongly with our Senators and Assemblymembers to reverse this devastating cut to our field. Your help is CRITICAL!!
Many of us are represented by NYS Senator George Maziarz and NYS Assemblymember Steve Hawley. They have been very supportive of The Arc's services and the Agency. Others have not been as supportive or we do not know their particular record on the issues. Letters of support to Senator Maziarz, Assemblyman Hawley, or your representatives are desparately needed to voice displeasure with this issue.
If you are interested in a sample letter of support, please email Denise Withey, Community Relations Specialist, at dwithey@arcoforleans.org. She will be happy to email you the letters. Please feel free to modify the letters as you see fit, remembering that any changes should be honest and respectful in nature.
Unsure of who your NYS Senator is? Click on the link below to the NYS Senate website. You will be prompted to include your address, which in turn will tell you who your Senator is, along with their contact information.
New York State Senate website
Unsure of who your NYS Assemblymember is? Below is the link to the NYS Assembly website. You will be asked to input your address, which in turn will give you your Assemblymember's contact information.
New York State Assembly website
If you need any help, please feel free to contact The Arc of Orleans County at 585-589-5516 and we will be glad to assist you. You are also welcome to call your elected officials rather than mailing letters.
On behalf of The Arc of Orleans County, Board of Directors, Agency staff, individuals supported, and their families - Thank you for your help and support of this very important advocacy effort. Please forward this email to your family and friends and ask for their support of this effort.
The Arc of Orleans County
122 Caroline Street, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5516 (phone) / 585-589-5669 (fax)
www.arcoforleans.org
The Arc of Orleans County
122 Caroline Street, Albion, NY 14411
585-589-5516 (phone) / 585-589-5669 (fax)
www.arcoforleans.org
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