Statement From Senator Gipson on the Opwdd Budget Cuts
March 7, 2013
For Immediate Release: March 7, 2013
Media Contact: Brian Keeler | 845.463.0840 | keeler@nysenate.gov
STATEMENT FROM SENATOR GIPSON ON THE OPWDD BUDGET CUTS
Poughkeepsie, NY ~ Governor Cuomo’s 30 day Amendment Budget release includes a $120 million cut in funding to the Office of People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). These cuts would have a devastating impact on the non-profit organizations that deliver services for the OPWDD, not to mention their clients' families and communities.
Senator Gipson strongly supports a full restoration of the $120 million proposed cut to the OPWDD budget, and he has been working diligently with non-profits in his district and his Senate colleagues to rally support for this restoration.
"Restoring the $120 million will go a long way in providing the care, concern and compassion to those who are neediest among us,” Gipson said. “These cuts will sadly result in closed facilities, loss of services and a potential return to the bad old days of Willowbrook, which no one wants to see happen. I am fully committed to convincing the Governor that these budget cuts must be avoided at all costs."
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