Senator Bonacic Supports Senate Resolution that Invests $1 Million to Combat Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases

(Albany, NY)- State Senator John J. Bonacic (R/C/I-Mt. Hope) supported a Senate Resolution that was passed this week that would provide a record $1 million to help fight the scourge of Lyme and other tick-borne diseases (TBDs) throughout the state. The new funding will help support a wide variety of local investments identified by the Senate’s Task Force on Lyme and Tick-Borne Diseases, which Senator Bonacic serves on, to increase education, research, prevention, and treatment options, and combat the ongoing increase in TBDs throughout New York.

The Senate Majority – and specifically the Task Force – led the charge in securing this historic level of funding in the 2018-19 state budget. Based on the Task Force’s recommendations, the final budget restores $400,000 in Executive Budget cuts and includes $600,000 in new funding for a total of $1 million.

“For years, New Yorkers have dealt with the devastating impacts of Lyme and tick-borne diseases, and this funding will continue the fight against the devastating impacts,” said Senator Bonacic.

Highlights of the resolution passed today include:

• Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Inc. – $192,000 to research community-based prevention methods;
• Stony Brook University – $175,000 to open a state-of-the art infectious disease laboratory;
• Cornell University – $130,000 to study the distribution of ticks and the diseases they carry in various parts of the state;
• New York State Association of County Health Officials (NYSACHO) – $112,000 to increase public awareness throughout New York;
• SUNY Adirondack – $100,000 for laboratory research on lesser-known TBDs;
• Southampton Hospital – $75,000 to fund the Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center;
• New York State Department of Health – $60,000 to increase the number of tick collection sites in New York;
• Cornell Cooperative Extension – $26,000 for a series of regional Lyme and TBD forums; and
• New York State Department of Health – $25,000 to continue database mining.