Legislative Bulletin: March Monday Materials Available Online

Budget Update – Legislature to Agree on Revenues
On Wednesday, the Senate and Assembly released their revenue forecasts for SFY 2014-15. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos and Independent Democrat Conference Leader Jeff Klein released the Senate’s Revenue Report, estimating that revenues are $265 million more than the Executive’s estimate for the 2015 fiscal year and $88 million more for the reminder of the 2014 fiscal year. The Assembly’s Revenue Report estimates All Funds receipts are $410 million more than the Executive's forecast.

The Legislature is expected to reach consensus on revenues by tomorrow, March 1, but an agreement may be reached at some point today. The Senate and Assembly are scheduled to pass one-house budget bills by March 12, with Joint Budget Conference Committees convening immediately thereafter, with a final budget expected to be finalized by March 27. With budget negotiations moving quickly, we must continue to our advocacy effort to ensure our priorities are included in one-house budget bills, and ultimately, a final budget.

Advocacy Alert: March Monday Materials Available Online
This coming Monday, March 3, LeadingAge New York will host the first March Monday Virtual Lobby Day. We are asking all members to undertake a local grassroots effort to encourage staff, consumers or residents, families and board members to contact their legislators about budget issues critical to your organization’s survival and the provision of quality aging services. There are several key budget issues impacting all provider types, including home care, assisted living, managed long term care, nursing homes and housing. Utilize our advocacy materials, including our Issue Brief and Talking Points to help develop your organization’s “ask.” As they say, all politics is local, so whether you’re concerned about Wage Parity, Standard Wage, CMI cap, EQUAL funding… be sure you and your supporters are telling your legislators the impact that these proposals will have on your organization, the individuals you serve and the people you employ.

For your convenience, we have developed a number of materials to assist you plan a Virtual Lobby Day at your organization. And once again, LeadingAge New York will hold a drawing for two $100 awards for participants in our Virtual Lobby Day. All the materials to make your Virtual Lobby Day a success are available on our Legislative Action Center, including:

To access your legislator's contact information, click here, enter your zip code and select "elected officials." Legislators' contact information is also available on the Senate and Assembly websites. Once you've contacted your legislators, please fill out the response form, and return it to Alyssa Lovelace via email at alovelace@leadingageny.org or fax to 518-867-8384. Don't forget to indicate on your response form if you want to be included in the drawing to win $100! The two winners will be announced in April!

Last Call for February Fridays
Today is the final February Friday letter writing campaign. Have you sent your letters to your legislators? Effective advocacy requires consist messages repeated throughout the budget season. Visits, letters and phone calls are all important parts to effective advocacy. We encourage you to continue sending letters to your lawmakers through our Legislative Action Center, in addition to participating in March Mondays. If you need assistance with connecting with your lawmakers or would like more information on advocacy opportunities, please contact Alyssa Lovelace or Ami Schnauber at 518-867-8383.

IDC Expansion and Senate Leadership Changes
Queens Democratic Senator, Tony Avella, has joined the Independent Democratic Conference (IDC), aligning himself with IDC Leader Jeff Klein, Sen. David Valesky, Sen. David Carlucci and Sen. Diane Savino – all of whom share leadership with the Senate Republicans and Senate Republican Leader, Dean Skelos. With his switch to the IDC, Senator Avella has now been appointed as Chairman of the Senate’s Social Services Committee.

Senator Valesky has been appointed as Chairman as the Senate’s Aging Committee. This is a committee that Senator Valesky has held in the past and he and his staff are well versed in aging services issues. He has been and remains a strong advocate for Leading Age New York’s members.

A recent article by the New York Times, offered great insight into the politics of the three conferences, the impact of vacant Senate seats and the struggle with defining what constitutes a majority vote.

President to Release his Budget Next Week
President Obama is scheduled to release his FY 2015 budget next week. With a rapidly shrinking deficit, Obama is expected to offer a budget that seeks billions of dollars in new spending and protects Social Security and other benefits.

On March 18, Leading Age New York staff and members will be in Washington D.C. visiting with our Congressional representatives during LeadingAge’s PEAK conference. We will be ensuring that aging services are not overlooked in the federal budget. Are you planning to attend?

NYS to Preserve SNAP Benefits
Gov. Cuomo announced that New York will step in and cover the $457 million a year in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits that have been cut by the recently enacted federal Farm Bill. In announcing the funding, OTDA Commissioner Kristin M. Proud said, “By negating the impact of these harsh cuts to maintain SNAP benefit levels, we are taking action to preserve vital nutrition assistance that makes a real difference in the lives of so many low-income households in New York State, including senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, children and low-income workers”.

Register to Play in the PAC Golf Tournament
The annual LeadingAge New York PAC Golf Tournament is back at Saratoga Spa Golf Course on Mon., June 16. Shotgun start will be at 12:45 sharp! In addition to the PAC’s traditional 18-hole tournament, we will once again host a pro-clinic and 9-hole tournament for those who have not golfed with us in the past or want to try out the sport. Register now!