Governor Releases Year End Report

Gov. Cuomo issued his New York Rising Year End Report for 2013, which outlines all of the governor’s initiatives and accomplishments for the year. Throughout 2013, the governor and his administration were able to conquer a third consecutive, on-time, balanced budget, closing a $1.3 billion budget gap with no new taxes or fees. In addition, the middle class saw tax cuts and parts of the state were awarded $750 million in the third round of the Regional Economic Development competition for high priority, job creating projects, among countless other accomplishments. For member purposes:

• The Cuomo Administration is investing $1 billion in resources over five years for the House New York Program to preserve and create nearly 14,300 affordable housing units, including the preservation of 8,600 Mitchell-Lama units. 
• New York opened its Health Plan Marketplace, the NY State of Health, allowing New Yorkers to access and enroll in affordable health plans. 321,000 New Yorks have completed applications and 141,000 have enrolled in coverage.
• Through MRT initiatives, Medicaid spending was lowered by $4 billion; the state stayed $200 million under the global spending cap; and the state absorbed a $1.1 billion federal revenue loss due to a change in Medicaid financing for services for people with developmental disabilities.
• The governor announced the allocation of $86 million to support nearly 5,500 people through the MRT Supportive Housing Program.
• The Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs began operating. This will ensure those individuals who receive care from facilities or programs under the jurisdiction of the state's six human services agencies are protected from abust, neglect and mistreatment.
• Gov. Cuomo created the Olmstead Development and Implementation Cabinet to transition people with disabilities into the community; enhance integrated housing; provide employment and transportation services; and to improve services overall.
• The state submitted the People First Waiver to transform the current system of supports to people with developmental disabilities into a system that is more person-centered and based on a managed-care framework.
• NYS Evacuation of Facilities in Disasters System (NYS e-FINDS) was developed to ensure the safety of patients when facilities are forced to evacuate. Currently, over 2,500 providers cover up to 300,000 patients and residents with e-FINDS.

To read the report in its entirety, click here.

Contact: Alyssa Lovelace, alovelace@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8844