FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 14, 2010

Significant Action Taken On State Budget
Through Assembly Passage Of Extender Bill
Assembly preserves critical programs including Summer Youth Employment and Advantage Schools, accepts over $325 million in cuts to human and mental hygiene services


Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr. today announced passage of emergency extender legislation which includes over $325 million in reductions to human services ($175 million) and mental hygiene ($150.2 million) programs while restoring funding to vital services (A.11437).

The Assembly fought for restorations that will preserve funding for critical programs for New York's most vulnerable citizens, including: "These cuts are the product of a severe economic downturn and unprecedented fiscal crisis that have forced us to accept reductions to programs and services that we deeply believe in," said Silver (D-Manhattan). "Despite these cuts, I am proud that the Assembly was able to win restorations that will keep senior centers open, restore critical funding for our youth and provide more relief to families living in poverty."

"This budget extender includes cuts to an area that we in the Assembly Majority have always fought to preserve - human and mental hygiene services," said Farrell (D-Manhattan). "Although we were forced to accept painful cuts, we protected areas which affect children, the elderly and low-income individuals by guaranteeing that funding for certain programs was saved. We were also able to safeguard the public assistance grant increase. This will ensure that some of our most vulnerable citizens do not face undue hardship during these difficult times."