Gregory
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Assemblyman Dinowitz: “Assembly Budget Protects Seniors, Rejects Cuts to EPIC and Title XX”
The New York State Assembly unveiled it’s 2011 budget plan which included full funding restorations to two of the most vital programs for New York’s seniors, Title XX and EPIC.
As part of his Executive Budget, Governor Cuomo proposed drastic cuts to both programs: a $36 million dollar reduction in discretionary funding to Title XX, which the City claims would force 105 senior centers to close, and a $34 million dollar cut to EPIC, a program that currently provides over 300,000 enrollees with secondary coverage for prescription drugs.
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (D-Bronx), Chair of the Assembly Aging Committee, led the fight in the Assembly to have this essential funding restored. “While nothing is set in stone, this is an important step in making sure our final budget for 2011 isn’t a cold and callous one,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said. “I know we have a $10 billion budget deficit to close, but doing it on the backs of our seniors is unacceptable.”
Reductions in funding for both programs would be disastrous for thousands of New York seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes. As part of the governor’s plan, all EPIC enrollees would be forced to join a Medicare Part D plan, regardless of financial hardship. The Assembly’s proposal also continues the vital “wraparound” coverage for prescription drugs not covered by Medicare, as well as state payment assistance for Part D premiums and deductibles. Eliminating this aid could cost seniors up to $1,000 or more annually.[1]
“This cut was short sighted, and we had to reverse it,” Assemblyman Dinowitz said. “We can’t put seniors in a position where they must choose between putting food on the table and the medicine they need. Our budget has to consider the fiscal challenges of our constituents just as much as the fiscal challenges of the state.”
The battle over Title XX funding was previously waged last year, when then Governor Paterson proposed a similar monetary reduction. After a furious campaign led by Assemblyman Dinowitz made clear the importance of this money, funding was restored first in the Assembly budget and then in the final budget. The Assemblyman hopes for a similar result this time around. This year’s funding was restored in the Assembly budget after Assemblyman Dinowitz sent a letter in February to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver signed by almost five dozen New York City Assembly Democrats strongly urging that this critical funding be restored.
Said Dinowitz, “As I’ve stated time and time again, our senior centers are vital to our neighborhoods’ quality of life, and shuttering them would be devastating to the seniors who rely on them. I will not rest until this funding is restored. WE CANNOT CLOSE SENIOR CENTERS!”
12 comments:
These press releases can be tedious. Why not give the first paragraph and a link to the rest. No need for your sometimes lengthy introductions. You're just begging for the critics.
Agreed. It's the lazy way to do it.
Write something original. Why should I read this blog? Why don't I just get on the press list from these horrible pols you shill for?
I like the idea of reading or providing the original press release or source document without interpretation. Even though I try to add my perspective before any press release I find posting the press release is the best way to get the news out QUICKLY and show which political leader or group is doing what. Besides Bronx News Network does a great job of writing about press releases it receives. That’s their niche and I respect them for it. I think I provide something different. They also have a full staff and I believe some type of funding. I am basically one individual who spends about an hour or two each day reading through press releases sent and posting what I believe affects our community. There must be some appreciation for what I am doing since traffic is up and every know and then I do get a gracious thank you from the readers.
Over a four year period since the BoogieDowner has been around total articles read is about 120,000. For the first two months since Erin and Lou passed the site on to me we are receiving about 18,000 articles reads per month. As traffic increases so will advertising and the potential to pay a few staff writers. If I am able to sell a property and generate some side revenue from the site that will also help justify spending funds to make the site stronger. As per your request to post the first paragraph and then continue the story as a link please notes it has been considered along with other improvements. In time positive changes will happen. Once again your comment is appreciated.
Gregory
chico malo!
No criticism...
What you are dealing with here, Boogiedowner, is an Internet troll. Here's a definition - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troll_%28Internet%29
Now, if you respond to a troll, you will simply encourage them to keep posting (they are very lonely, you see, and love any kind of attention). Realize that you can't reason with this person (no doubt it's the same person every time), and either ignore what they have to say or delete it. Or change the blog settings so you catch comments before publication.
I, for one, am growing tired of the troll's snarky 'you spelled this wrong' nonsense. Don't let him or her continue to poison the conversation.
deleting again
you are disgusting. if you can't take the heat, don't blog.
Make a point without being insulting and it will stay up. All you’re doing is bashing me without even providing a screen name so we can at least know who is saying what. I think you’re disgusting and since I am the one that owns and maintains this web site ,with my labor and time, I set the standards. Your decision is to participate or not. Please do let me know what your blog address is so I can see what you have done.
Ninny!
you are so defensive! I set the rules...I am the master of this fake, very small universe. If you dont like it, read your press releases elsewhere...what a boob.
That's why he referred to himself as "Boobie Downer" in an early post.
Some people can't recognize their weaknesses, even when others point them out. He's to be pitied. He may be good at real estate.
To the select few Anonymous commentators who enjoy bashing me:
Again, please say something meaningful. My deleting some of these posts does you a favor, not me. Please try discussing an idea or topic. If you can't, then sit back for the ride and watch me and the BoogiDowner community do some good, without undermining our efforts.
Gregory
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