Dear eNews Reader,
February is always a very busy time as the Legislature is hard at work on the state budget. Last month was especially busy with many local activities as well. I had a Guest Viewpoint in Sunday’s paper which discusses how I am approaching budget discussions this year; about the need to focus on the basics. With a limit of 500 words I could only discuss a few of the many issues we are working on. Click here if you’d like to read more.
Donna
1. NYS Nursing Homes in Crisis Mode
I am working with legislators from across the state to raise awareness about the financial crisis facing our nursing homes. Because the state Medicaid reimbursement rate is based on 2007 costs, each Upstate nursing home is losing an average of $2M per year. As a result 15,000 beds are already off-line statewide, causing a backlog at hospitals and emergency rooms. Senator Webb and I held an event at United Methodist Homes with nursing home administrators and residents to sound the alarm. #NursingHomeSOS is being used on social media; you may have seen TV commercials and received mail as well.
2. Resource Center for Veterans Breaks Ground
I helped break ground on the new Veterans Resource Center on Binghamton’s Northside. The center, expected to open next year, will be a unique one-stop shop for veterans’ support and services. It will also have 10 “tiny houses” on site for veterans at risk of homelessness. I secured a $500K Assembly grant to support the project, in recognition of the debt of gratitude we owe to our veterans. I appreciate County Executive Garnar’s persistence in advocating for the center through COVID and other setbacks. And a big thank you to all of our government partners for their support.
3. UHS Child Care Opens in JC
The new UHS Child Care Center in Johnson City is officially open! The facility is located at the site of the former Aldi’s on Main Street, and has slots for 82 children, available to both UHS employees and other community members. We need accessible and affordable quality child care to help parents enter or stay in the workforce. I provided a $300K Assembly grant that paid for a spectacular new playground, complete with musical instruments. A big thank you to everyone who helped make this happen, including the UHS Foundation, Bright Horizons, and Empire State Development.
4. Utility Assistance is Available
You may be eligible for assistance if you are struggling to pay utility bills. I teamed up with Senator Webb and the Public Utility Law Project (PULP) to get the word out about programs being offered. PULP is a great no-cost resource that can help connect you to this type of assistance. You can call their hotline at 877-669-2572 or send an email to info@utilityproject.org for further assistance.
5. Honoring Ukraine on Anniversary of Invasion
Saturday, February 24th marked two years since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. I presented a Resolution with Senator Webb at the “Believe in Ukraine Interfaith Vigil,” a solemn ceremony in Binghamton. It’s important that we show support for the people of Ukraine and for the many people of Ukrainian descent who live in the community. Everyone expressed hope that new resources from America reaches the troops in Ukraine soon.
