Today, Assemblyman Brian Miller (R,I-New Hartford) attended a rally in the capitol building in support of thousands of direct care workers statewide who have been left behind by Gov. Cuomo’s “Fight for $15” campaign.

“Today I attended a rally in support of those who care for the needs of the most vulnerable in our communities – our direct care workers,” said Miller. “These amazing professionals perform a very important yet thankless service; they care for those who cannot care for themselves. They work with 128,000 New Yorkers, statewide, with developmental disabilities. While the governor traipsed around the state in a fancy tour bus calling for a minimum wage increase, he did not consider the impact on direct care professionals and those they care for.”

Last year, Gov. Cuomo pushed for a statewide minimum wage increase many not-for-profit agencies that care for those with developmental disabilities cannot afford. This has resulted in a significant amount of layoffs leaving these organizations with very lean staffs, and incapable of providing all of the services that are needed. While it has taken Gov. Cuomo until March 28 of this year to signal support for these not-for-profits and direct care workers, Assemblyman Miller has been calling for state funding since before his election to his Assembly seat.

“The not-for-profit organizations that provide care for those with developmental disabilities cannot afford to pay their workers what they deserve without the state fully funding the wage increase,” said Miller. “Without critical state funding, these organizations have been forced to cut jobs resulting in far less qualified direct care workers to tend to the needs of our most vulnerable. I attended today to show my support and to join the fight to obtain a decent wage for these dedicated professionals.”

Today’s rally in Albany was part of the #bFair2DirectCare campaign that began last year.