Assembly Budget Action Provides NYC with Funding to Keep Maspeth and Woodside Senior Centers Open

“We win fight to keep critical programs like senior centers and summer youth employment,” says Assemblywoman Markey; Assembly action also cuts $375 million to reduce 2010-11 budget deficit

June 15, 2010

Albany – Assemblywoman Marge Markey (30th District- Maspeth) reports that legislation just adopted by the Assembly provides the City of New York with funding it needs to keep operations open at many NYC senior centers, include two local ones, SelfHelp Maspeth Senior Center and Woodside Senior Center.

She says the funds were included in emergency extender legislation that was adopted Monday night as part of a budget package that includes over $325 million in reductions to human services ($175 million) and mental hygiene ($150.2 million) programs for the coming year while restoring funding to vital local services.

“We fought hard to restore critical programs that had been chopped out of the Governor’s Executive spending plan – and we won. Our budget restorations have preserved funding for such vital programs as senior centers for some of the city’s most deserving citizens,” said Assemblywoman Markey.

These include restoration of full discretionary Title XX funding that will help save senior center services in New York City. More than a third of centers in the city, including ones in Maspeth and Woodside depend on this funding for their operations. The restorations also included $72.7 million in Temporary Aid to Needy Families initiatives, which will help fund the Summer Youth Employment, Career Pathways, Advantage Schools and SUNY/CUNY Child Care programs.

"The severe economic downturn and this unprecedented fiscal crisis have forced us to accept reductions to programs and services we deeply believe in," said Assemblywoman Markey. “However, I am proud that we were able to win restorations that will keep senior centers open and restore critical funding for our youth."

What's New