Fighting to Save our Senior Centers

I am strongly opposed to the proposal in Governor Cuomo’s Fiscal Year 2011-2012 Executive Budget that would result in a reduction of $25.2 million in Title XX funding for New York City senior centers and effectively force 105 of them – including the Stein Senior Center in CB6 – to be closed.  This would be devastating to the elderly New Yorkers who rely upon these centers for meal programs, activities and companionship, which are critical for their well-being and prevent their premature institutionalization.

A similar cut was proposed last year in former-Governor Paterson’s Executive Budget but Senate Democrats, along with our colleagues in the Assembly, were successful in securing a full restoration of this Title XX funding in the adopted Fiscal Year 2010-11 budget.  I and my Senate Democratic colleagues are again fighting for these vital funds to be fully restored and I am pleased to report that the New York State Senate has completely restored Title XX funding for discretionary programs in its one-house budget bill.

I appreciate all the constituents who have reached out to me on this important issue and I will continue working with individuals, advocacy organizations and legislative colleagues to overturn this devastating cut.