Statement by Senator Golden Urging Governor Cuomo to Maintain Title Xx Funding in Next Year’s State Budget

New York – State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-C-I, Brooklyn), a former Chairman of the State Senate Aging Committee, issued this statement through a representative, at a press conference today hosted by the Council of Senior Centers and Services calling on Governor Cuomo to preserve Title XX Funding in next year’s State budget so to keep more than 100 senior centers open in New York City:

“Senator Golden joins you in sending a message to Governor Andrew Cuomo asking him to not propose cuts to Title XX funding in next year’s New York State budget. Our message today is that these budget reductions unfairly target New York's senior population and New Yorkers will not accept this.

We had this same fight on our hands last year and we were successful in fighting against the proposed elimination of such funds. Many of you will remember that Senator Golden was at that time at the front lines of this battle.

Senator Golden strongly supported letter writing campaigns and petition drives against these cuts. Last year, our message was heard, a message that was simply to leave our senior centers alone.

The planned reductions proposed by Governor Cuomo would eliminate more than $25 million from New York City senior centers and force more than 100 centers to close. If approved, the true meaning of those numbers translate to 5,000 seniors that will be abandoned and left without food, case management, and the socialization that senior centers offer.

We all know how important a neighborhood senior center is to the health, well-being and livelihood of a senior citizen here in New York. We cannot let this happen and Senator Golden reassures you today that he will oppose any reductions in funding for these programs.”