Issues: Developmental Disabilities

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos today announced that the Senate will act next week on legislation to reform and strengthen protections for more than one million state residents with special needs who are served by facilities and programs operated, licensed and certified by State agencies.

Quilt Display As Part of April “Autism Spectrum Disorders Awareness Month”

        Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) recently partnered with Autism Speaks in helping raise awareness about Autism Spectrum Disorders.

        Senator Fuschillo arranged for quilts made by Austism Speaks to be displayed in the State Legislative Office Building in Albany for three weeks as part of Autism Awareness Month. Merrick resident Michael Giangregorio, the father of an Autistic child and Autism Speaks’ Long Island Volunteer Executive Chair, helped Senator Fuschillo coordinate the quilt display.

Budget Comes Early, Controls Spending and Holds The Line On Taxes

Senator Patrick M. Gallivan hailed the 2012 state budget today as lawmakers approved the spending plan ahead of the April 1st deadline, marking the second consecutive year New York State will enact an on-time budget.

“Passing a second on-time budget in as many years is indicative of the larger progress we’ve seen lately in Albany. Just as late budgets were once a symbol of dysfunction, on-time budgets are symbolic of continued progress,” the Senator said. “Even more important than passing an on-time budget, is that we passed a fiscally responsible budget that respects New York’s taxpayers and keeps the State moving forward.”

The New York State Legislature has completed passage of an on-time budget for the second year in a row. Though it was another challenging budget, requiring the closure of a $3.5 billion deficit, we were able to balance the budget without tax increases or fiscal gimmickry. In addition, overall spending was reduced for the second straight year, the frist time this has happened in at least three decades. 

Some highlights include:

Governor Cuomo released the following announcement on March 27, 2012:

The Budget continues the Governor’s commitment to fiscal responsibility while creating jobs and strengthening communities across the state. It closes a multi-billion dollar deficit with no new taxes, fees or gimmicks, limits spending growth to two percent or below for the second year in a row, and launches the New York Works Task Force to invest billions of dollars to rebuild the state's roads, bridges, parks, and other infrastructure and create tens of thousands of jobs.

In recognition of individuals diagnosed with autism, as well as their families and the dedicated professionals who work with them, State Senator Mike Nozzolio is helping to commemorate next month, April 2012, as Autism Awareness Month. Today, the State Senate adopted a legislative resolution co-sponsored by Senator Nozzolio recognizing this important month as a vital opportunity to learn more about the particular challenges that families affected by autism face.