Legislative Bulletin: Governor Calls Extraordinary Session
Governor Cuomo Calls Extraordinary Session
It’s not over until it’s over! On Tuesday, less than one week after the end of the 2017 Legislative Session, Governor Cuomo issued a proclamation calling for an “extraordinary session” to extend Mayor Bill de Blasio’s control of New York City schools and address other unresolved issues. Lawmakers returned to Albany and worked through the day on Wednesday, with news of a deal emerging later that night.
On Thursday, following its passage in the Assembly and Senate, the Governor signed legislation “to extend for three years sales taxes in more than 50 counties, extend for two years mayoral control of New York City schools, rename the Tappan Zee Bridge after [former Governor] Mario Cuomo, and provide a financial incentive package for the Vernon Downs racino and harness track.” The bill also included “$55 million in relief for Lake Ontario communities ravaged by flooding…, a tweak to allow New York City first responders to receive an accidental disability pension even if they don’t receive a federal Social Security disability pension, and legislative language [accompanying] a constitutional amendment to create a 250-acre forest preserve land bank to allow for certain public utility projects.”
Action Alert: Urge the Governor to Sign ALP CON, SSI, and Bed Hold Bills
As previously reported, three of LeadingAge NY’s priority bills have passed both houses of the Legislature and are now awaiting the Governor’s approval. We need you to push strongly for his support by sending him our pre-written letters, tweets, and Facebook posts, all linked below. Your voice can make the difference!
- ALP CON Process: A.7727-A (Lupardo)/S.5840 (Hannon), introduced at LeadingAge NY’s request, would convert the Assisted Living Program (ALP) from a competitive solicitation process to a certificate of need (CON) process that awards beds based on demonstrated community need and allow existing ALP providers to add up to nine beds through an expedited process. To connect with the Governor, please click here.
- SSI Increase for ACFs: A.6715-B (Brindisi)/S.6732 (Serino), introduced at LeadingAge NY’s request, would increase the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) rate for adult care facilities (ACFs) by $20 per resident per day over five years, beginning April 1, 2018. Click here to urge the Governor’s support. You may also copy and paste the following messages on social media:
- Twitter: .@NYGovCuomo Please sign A.6715-B/S.6732! An SSI increase for ACF residents will keep them out of nursing homes & save the state Medicaid $.
- Facebook: @GovernorAndrewCuomo, please sign A.6715-B/S.6732 to increase the SSI rate for ACFs by $20 per resident per day! An increase will save Medicaid dollars by maintaining ACFs as financially-viable alternatives to nursing homes and allowing beneficiaries to remain in community-based settings. #SupportOurSeniors
- Nursing Home Bed Hold Restoration: A.8338 (Gottfried)/S.6559 (Hannon) would fully restore the nursing home bed hold cuts included in the final 2017-18 State Budget. Click here to engage with the Governor. In addition, we ask that you share the following messages on Facebook and Twitter:
- Twitter: .@NYGovCuomo Please sign A.8338/S.6559 to ensure that nursing home residents can always return to their beds! #SupportOurSeniors
- Facebook: @GovernorAndrewCuomo, please sign A.8338/S.6559 to ensure that nursing home residents can always return to their beds! #SupportOurSeniors
Save HUD 202 Rally Recap
Thank you to all those who participated in LeadingAge National’s Save HUD 202 Rally in Washington, DC on Tuesday! More than 1,100 advocates, some from as far away as California, rallied on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol in support of one simple goal: preserve every 202 home we have, and bring affordable housing to every older adult who needs it. Speakers included 202 housing providers, residents, and five members of Congress: Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Rep. David Price (D-NC), Rep. Al Green (D-TX), and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA). Videos of the rally can be viewed on LeadingAge National’s Facebook page, and more information about the Save HUD 202 campaign is available here.
Senate GOP Delays BCRA Vote Until After July 4th Recess
On Thursday, Senate Republicans delayed their plans to vote on the Better Care Reconciliation Act (BCRA), their Affordable Care Act (ACA) replacement proposal, until after the July 4th recess. The move came after several Republicans publicly announced their opposition to the bill as written and after a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) report estimated that it would increase the number of uninsured Americans by 22 million over the next decade. This figure is slightly lower than the CBO’s estimate of 23 million under the House-backed American Health Care Act (AHCA).
Republicans will reportedly rewrite the BCRA over the recess, get a new analysis from the CBO, and vote as soon as they return to Washington. Next week is, therefore, a critical time for federal advocacy. Please contact Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and ask them not only to oppose this legislation, but to lobby their colleagues to do the same. Senators need to know that the BCRA and any other proposals to cut and cap Medicaid would be disastrous for our nation’s seniors. LeadingAge NY also encourages you to reach out to your congressional representatives and set up meetings with them, either on your campus or in their offices, to discuss your priorities and concerns. With this flurry of activity on the federal level, we greatly appreciate your efforts!
Assemblyman Brindisi Announces Congressional Bid
Lastly, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi announced on Wednesday that he will challenge Republican Congresswoman Claudia Tenney for the 22nd Congressional District seat next year. In an official statement, he declared that he would be an “independent voice for New York” and would “work with anyone to get things done and bring positive change and new jobs to our community.”
Before the November 2018 general election, the Assemblyman will face off against Patrick Madden, a computer science professor at Binghamton University, for the Democratic nomination.
Contacts:
Ami Schnauber, aschnauber@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8854
Jeff Diamond, jdiamond@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8821