Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg's bill to restore funding to the New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) has been signed into law. This new law will restore up to $90 million for essential programs for people with developmental disabilities.

"I extend my thanks to the Governor and his administration for agreeing to provide the resources necessary to care for New York's most vulnerable population," said Assemblyman Weisenberg.

Earlier this year, the 2013-14 budget cut $90 million from the programs that care for children and adults with developmental disabilities. The state reduced funding because the federal government demanded that the state pay back "overpayments" for services to these individuals.

During the passage of the budget, Assemblyman Weisenberg made a heartfelt plea to his colleagues on behalf more than 125,000 families of vulnerable New Yorkers who rely on the services provided under this funding. Assemblyman Weisenberg and Senator Martin Golden (D-Brooklyn) later introduced this legislation to restore the cuts. By the date of the bill's passage in the Legislature, every member of the Assembly - 147 Assembly Members from every area of the state - had joined Weisenberg in sponsoring the measure. The unprecedented amount of bipartisan support ensured the success of this bill.

Jimmy Costello of Oceanside, New York, is the parent of one of the many individuals with disabilities who are served by the impacted programs. In a letter, Mr. Costello wrote to the Assemblyman, he stated, "I want to thank you for getting the funding back for our kids. You always keep fighting and never give up."

Ben Golden, Director of Governmental Affairs for NYSARC, stated, "We applaud Governor Cuomo for signing this legislation and the Legislature, in particular its sponsors Assemblyman Weisenberg and Senator Golden, for making sure it got to the Governor's desk. It is our belief that this new law marks a renewed commitment by both the State and providers to retain existing resources levels to build an efficient and sustainable system of services for New York's most vulnerable residents and their families. All of New York's advocates can take pride in showing that they can and will stand up to make their voices heard."

Seth Stein, Executive Director of the Alliance of Long Island Agencies, Inc., said, "On behalf of our voluntary agencies on Long Island and the individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities they serve, we thank Assemblymember Harvey Weisenberg for championing the bill, passed by the NYS Senate and Assembly and signed into law today by Governor Cuomo. This law will ensure that critical services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities will not be cut."

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg and his wife, Ellen, were joined by his Assembly and Senate colleagues at a press conference urging OPWDD funding restoration.

Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg pictured with Senator Martin Golden on the day the bill was approved by the legislature.