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Act now to prevent cuts to SNAP!
TAKE ACTION
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps millions of low-income individuals and families gain access to food by supplementing their grocery budget.

Right now, there is a bill in Congress that could result in huge cuts to SNAP.

This would be devastating to the nearly 14 million people with disabilities who rely on SNAP to put food on the table.

Cuts to the program would make it even harder for people with disabilities and their families to access the food they need to lead healthy lives.

We must protect and strengthen SNAP. No one should have to go hungry!

MTA

MTA Congestion Relief Zone Tolling to Begin Sunday, June 30

Applications for Discount and Exemption Plans Now Available Online

Comprehensive Public Education Campaign Starts Today with New Program Website

View Ad Campaign Materials

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today announced that Central Business District Tolling, the country’s first congestion pricing program, will begin in the Congestion Relief Zone early on Sunday, June 30, at 12:00:01 a.m. Manhattan below 60 St is one of the most congested districts in the United States, with average traffic speeds of just 7mph. Excess traffic today means the average New Yorker wastes 117 hours a year sitting in gridlock, costing the regional economy $20 billion a year. The toll will result in 100,000 fewer vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone every day, resulting in less traffic and cleaner air, while providing $15 billion in funding for critical transit investments to improve the lives of the millions of people who rely on the MTA every day.

“Five years after the Legislature made congestion pricing New York State law, and with 4,000 pages of analysis, hundreds of hearings and outreach meetings behind us, New Yorkers are ready for the benefits – less traffic, cleaner air, safer streets and better transit,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.

“New York City Transit is ready: we have added subway service over the past year, with more enhancements coming soon, and we are speeding up our buses with more camera enforcement,” said MTA New York City Transit President Richard Davey. “Congestion is a real issue in New York and the start of this program will finally tackle this long-standing and growing problem of traffic and air pollution, while also allowing us to make transit better through historic investments in zero-emission buses, new subway cars, accessible stations, and modern subway signals to run more trains more reliably.”

“Last year, Bridges and Tunnels recorded its highest annual traffic volume in its nearly 100-year history,” said MTA Bridge and Tunnels President Catherine Sheridan. “And while our own efforts have reduced collisions despite the increase, congestion pricing aligns with an agency goal of moving traffic safely and efficiently. Bridges and Tunnels is ready for the start of this program and strongly encourages motorists to use E-ZPass and make sure their license plates are on their accounts, as that is how crossing credits, discounts and exemptions, where applicable, will be applied.”

Eighty percent of the revenue generated will go to capital improvements on NYC Transit subways and buses, ten percent to Metro-North Railroad and ten percent to Long Island Rail Road. Projects to be supported by congestion pricing include ADA upgrades, new electric buses, new subway and commuter railroad cars, systemwide state-of-good-repair work, and expansion projects like Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. For a sample of projects, view this map.

The MTA today also opened the application portals for discount and exemption plans, with detailed information on who qualifies and how to apply. Together with the website, they are part of a comprehensive public education campaign that includes a multi-platform advertising campaign, in-person community events, civic and business outreach, virtual webinars, email campaigns and much more. This builds on months of engagement and hundreds of public meetings over the past several years, including:

  • More than 25,000 comments and nearly 400 verbal testimonies at four public hearings received in just the most recent public comment period earlier this year.
  • Dozens of meetings with different stakeholder groups, with a special focus on environmental justice communities.
  • An extensive public comment period after the release of the draft Environmental Assessment in August 2022 that included six public hearings and resulted in more than 22,000 individual comments and more than 55,000 form submissions.

Those who wish to learn more about eligibility for discounts or exemptions, and/or apply can visit this webpage. Discount and exemption plans include:

  • Low-Income Discount Plan: Households earning less than $50,000 a year who travel frequently into the zone may apply to enroll for a discount on the peak toll.
  • Individual Disability Exemption Plan: As previously announced, individuals who have disabilities that prevent them from using transit may apply to enroll a designated vehicle that would be exempt via E-ZPass.
  • Organizational Disability Exemption Plan: As previously announced, organizations that operate vehicles that transport people with disabilities, such as Access-A-Ride, ambulette services, or schools and special education facilities may apply to enroll a vehicle that would be exempt via E-ZPass.
  • Emergency Vehicles: Organizations that operate qualifying authorized emergency vehicles may apply to enroll a vehicle that would be exempt via E-ZPass.
  • Buses and Commuter Vans: Organizations that operate school buses contracted with the NYC Department of Education, commuter vans licensed with the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission, and buses providing scheduled commuter services open to the public may apply to enroll a vehicle that would be exempt via E-ZPass.
  • Specialized Government Vehicles: Organizations that operate publicly owned vehicles specifically designed to perform public works other than general transportation, and directly engaged in a core agency purpose, may apply to enroll a vehicle that would be exempt via E-ZPass.

In addition, New York State will offer a tax credit for low-income drivers who live in the Congestion Relief Zone. More information about the tax credit will be issued by the NYS Department of Finance in Fall 2024.

All tolling infrastructure needed for the Central Business District Tolling Program to begin has been installed across 108 locations, and over the last year, the MTA has rolled out service enhancements that will complement the start of congestion pricing:

Subways. New York City Transit is operating 1,200 additional subway trains every week with increases that took effect over several months last year on the ​​​​​​​​lines. Six more lines – the ​​​​​​ – will receive increases in service in June. Subway service continues to deliver the best on-time performance in the last 10 years.

Buses. The MTA is redesigning all the boroughs’ bus networks, which focuses on delivering more efficient service, better match today’s travel patterns, reduce travel times, increase off-peak service, and improve connections. The Staten Island Express Bus Network Redesign and the Bronx Local Bus Network Redesign have been successfully implemented with notable service increases during off-peak periods and other service improvements, resulting in an increase of 6% ridership since launch. In coordination with NYC DOT, implementation of busways has led to 27% increases in bus speed and up to 60% increases when combined with other Select Bus Service (SBS) treatments.

Long Island Rail Road. With the opening of Grand Central Madison, systemwide service increased an overall 41%: over 77,000 more trains a year, about a 35 % increase at eastern Queens stations, 30% increase in Brooklyn trains (55% increase in weekend service), and 50% increase in reverse peak service. A $7 peak City Ticket was introduced for travel on the LIRR and Metro-North Railroad between commuter railroad stations within city limits, and an LIRR Far Rockaway ticket, offering more cost-conscious fare options.

Metro-North Railroad. To increase transit options and encourage ridership, Metro-North Railroad has increased service in the Bronx, which is complemented by discounts offered by the $7 peak CityTicket. For the first three months of this year, the railroad averaged an on-time performance of 98.9%. Notably, March’s on-time performance was 98.9%, February’s on-time performance was 99.3%, and service-delivered rate, a service reliability measure, was 99.9%.

FIND MORE INFORMATION WATCH VIDEO

MTA, New York City Department of Social Services Announce Launch of Fair Fares OMNY Pilot Program

CLICK OMNY FAIR FARE

MORE INFORMATION WILL BE AT MTA BOARD COMMITTEE ON MONDAY

TO GET MORE MTA PRESS CLICK MTA PRESS RELEASE

T
he Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Issued Final Rule on Ensuring Access to Medicaid ServicesEarlier this week, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services issued its Final Rule on Ensuring Access to Medicaid Services, commonly referred to as the Access Rule. You can see the Rule here. The Access Rule was originally published in draft on May 3, 2023 for public comment.The Access Rule is an historic action which raises the bar and will improve access to and quality of Home and Community-Based Services, increase transparency in reporting, enhance support for direct support professionals, and refocus the importance of quality measures and outcomes for people receiving services. The proposed changes will strengthen safeguards to ensure health and welfare, promote health equity and achieve a more consistent and coordinated approach to the administration of policies and procedures across Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services programs. You can find more details here.While implementation of the Final Access Rule will be challenging, it presents our service system with an opportunity to create transformative change and to improve holistic access to care. The requirements of the Final Rule align with OPWDD’s ongoing work and goals of our Strategic Plan to improve equity and access to services and to help people with developmental disabilities live as independently as possible within their communities. OPWDD is evaluating the details and timelines outlined in the Final Rule to determine how we can most effectively support the service system to implement reforms collaboratively and to maximize the opportunity for system transformation.  We look forward to working with people with developmental disabilities, family members, advocates, and our provider community on implementation over the next several years.

Safeguarding Against Lithium-ion Battery Fires
Lithium-ion batteries use Lithium-ions to generate power required by many of our personal devices. The
Lithium-ions are comprised of a very light metal with high energy density. While the high energy density
allows lithium-ion batteries to store higher volumes of energy in small devices, such as cell phones,
tablets, scooters, etc., it can also create fire safety concerns. The more energy that you put into a fire
the faster and hotter it burns leading to a faster spreading fire and limiting the amount of time someone
has reach safety.
Proper care and use of lithium-ion batteries is critical for safeguarding against the threat of fires from
combustion or explosion.
The Fire Department of New York (FDNY) has provided the following information on their website, which
OPWDD believes are best practices. Some highlights and additional information are listed below.

Safety Tips for Devices with Lithium-ion Batteries – FDNY Smart
Proper care of Lithium-Ion Batteries:

  • Battery overheating
  • Battery produces an odor
  • A change in shape or color
  • Leaking
  • Odd noises from a device
  • Fire Extinguishers do not work on Lithium-ion Fires. Reignition of lithium-ion battery fires
    commonly occurs, even days after visible fire has been put out.
    Should any of the above occur, discontinue use immediately. If safe to do so, move the device away from anything that can catch fire and call 9-1-1.
    Proper Disposal
  • Putting lithium-ion batteries in the trash or recycling at home is illegal.
  • Recycle batteries by taking them to a battery recycling location or visiting nyc.gov/batteries for
    disposal instructions is always the best option. If not in NYC, contact your local fire authority for
    proper disposal recommendations.
  • Individually bag batteries or tape ends before disposing of them.
    You can find additional information on Lithium-Ion Batteries at the following resources:
  • Lithium-ionBatteries – “Buy Safe, Charge Safe” (youtube.com)
  • https://www.fdnysmart.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/FDNY-Lithium-ion-batteries-060321-
    05.pdf
  • https://www.dhses.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2023/09/lithiumion.pdf
  • Always use the manufacturer’s cord and power adapter made specifically for the device.
  • Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for charging and storage. Including, plug the charger
    directly into a wall electrical outlet for charging.
  • When purchasing devices, be sure that the equipment has the Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
    mark. The UL mark shows that the product has been safety tested.
  • Keep batteries/devices at room temperature. Do not place in direct sunlight or near heat sources.
  • Store batteries away from anything flammable.
    Avoid
  • Overcharging.
  • Do not charge a device under your pillow, on your bed, or on a couch.
  • Plugging into a power strip or overloading an outlet.
  • Using after-market (or generic) batteries or chargers.
  • Do not charge between yourself and the primary way in/out of the room.
    What to look for:
People First News, April 2024
2025 New York State Budget Continues Support for People with Developmental DisabilitiesOn April 21, Governor Hochul announced passage of the Fiscal Year 2025 State Budget. This final enacted budget represents agreement between the Governor and the two houses of the state Legislature, the Senate and the Assembly. The final enacted budget, which grows state spending on OPWDD programs by over $420 million to nearly $5.2 billion, a nearly 9% increase, also includes many of the Governor’s original proposals to benefit New Yorkers with developmental disabilities and expands upon her proposed cost of living adjustment (COLA). 

The budget includes $89 million, leveraging a total of $256 million, to provide a 2.84% COLA – with at least 1.7% dedicated to increasing salaries of eligible staff. Since 2022, the state has invested more than $2.7 billion to support the workforce, including $1.3 billion in one-time federally-participating bonuses, nearly $1.1 billion in total all shares funding through three consecutive COLAs and over $340 million in state-funded bonuses. It also makes $79 million available, leveraging a total investment of nearly $270 million, to recalculate service provider reimbursement rates more accurately based on recent cost data.

The new Budget once again invests $60 million in new state funding for new service opportunities to meet the needs of people coming into the developmental disabilities service system for the first time and people who seek changes to their existing services. The new State resources will combine with federal matching dollars to deliver $200 million in funds for new services. This is in addition to a $15 million commitment to expanding independent living opportunities through the development of safe and accessible housing, for a total investment over the past nine years of $140 million.

The enacted Budget includes $6.7 million to support New York’s commitment to becoming an Employment First state and provide more New Yorkers with disabilities the opportunity to work in competitive and integrated jobs.

The budget also includes more than $3 million for Home Enabling Supports such as assistive technology which will enable more people to live as independently as possible.

NYC FAIR
FAMILY ADVOCACY & INFORMATION RESOURCES

Word is, the budget will be finalized by the weekend.  While budget bills are being voted on, we are still gathering information on what exactly they contain, but here’s a couple of preliminary points…

COLA & DSWE

While we advocated hard for the need for both a 3.2% COLA (unrestricted rate increase that would be utilized to meet the rising costs of service provision in addition to salary increases for Direct Care staff positions) and the DSWE, a wage correction of $2 per hour for Direct Care workers, the final budget includes a 1.5% unrestricted rate increase, plus a 1.7% increase for staff in CFR title codes 100 through 700 excluding executive titles.  Due to the restriction on salary increases, the total COLA increase including the 1.7% salary increases and the 1.5% unrestricted portion, totals 2.84% with no DSWE.   

While the outcome was not what we had hoped for, it is better than the 1.5% that the Governor originally proposed, and included other than Direct Care titles in the restricted portion, which had been proposed by both the Senate and the Assembly.

Are we disappointed?  Sure!

Was our message heard, that we needed both funds to meet rising costs and to increase salaries for a variety of positions including our beloved Direct Care staff, Yes!

Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s advocacy!

NYDA’s statement on the outcome of the budget makes it clear that the final decision may keep us afloat, but it won’t solve our longstanding inequities.  As usual, our fight continues!  We’ll need to carefully consider our messaging for next year while employing some new strategies for achieving the budget results we need. 

Early Intervention:

At first look, it seems that there was no additional increase for EI in the final budget.  The Medicaid Scorecard lists a 5% increase, with a 4% add on for rural and underserved communities, as the Governor proposed.  The scorecard also lists some savings for the program including for teletherapy and group sessions.  We will provide additional information on those reductions soon.

Article 28 Clinics:

The Medicaid Scorecard includes the Governor’s proposed increase for Article 28 Specialty Clinic rates.

OMIG Legislation:

Unfortunately, the Scorecard also lists the Governor proposed $100M in increased audit recoveries.  We’ll provide more information on any additional OMIG proposals in the final budget, soon.

CDPAP:

The Scorecard shows $200M in savings by transitioning to one, statewide, Fiscal Intermediary.  The Governor’s original CDPAP proposals appear to have been omitted from the final budget- more info soon.

Special Education

Parallel to the budget process, the rate letter was delivered by SED to DOB and includes what we need for our schools.  Behind the scenes advocacy is already underway and we are planning to include our schools in some additional activities.  The Education Article VII bill isn’t available yet, so we’ll report on what’s in there shortly, as well.   In the NYC budget, there has been some very positive results regarding the NYC Contract Enhancement advocacy and we’ll provide more information shortly, on that as well.

Whether you see the glass as half full or half empty, I encourage you all to take every opportunity to engage with your elected officials.  Invite them to your events – galas, barbeques, staff appreciation events, invite them to read books to classes in your schools, to tour your programs,

just bring them in to meet the people you support, your staff and your families!

Once they know and feel what we do, they will be better advocates for us during budget time and all year round.

NO BUDGET YET
REACH YOUR LEGISLATORS TODAY!
TELL THEM WE NEED A  3.2%  COLA
Unrestricted To Pay For The Increase Costs of
Everything  
$4000 for Direct Care Workers
Their Wages Don’t Reflect What We Ask Of Them
Here are some suggestions: from NYDAFollow  @nydisabilityadvocates on Facebook and @nydisabilityadv on X/Twitter.Help amplify our message by re-tweeting/sharing our content to your personal or organization’s social media pages and tagging your elected officials. Share your story! Post a personalized message on your social. tag the following:Governor Kathy Hochul @GovKathyHochulSpeaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie @CarlHeastieSenate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins @AndreaSCousinsSpread the word        TAG THESE PEOPLEKathryn Garcia @KGforNYCKaren Persichilli Keogh @kp224New York State Division of the Budget @NYS_DOBNew York Senate Democratic Conference @NYSenDemsNew York State Senate Republican Conference @nysenategopNew York State Assembly GOP @NYS_AM If you have any questions about the Day of Action, please reach out to [email protected].

 QUESTIONS?
Contact: [email protected]

‼️ REMINDER ‼️ TODAY IS THE DAY TO SPEAK UP ON SOCIAL MEDIA!

Our elected officials are still working to finalize this year’s Budget, and now is the time for us to be louder than ever and demand that Governor Hochul and the State Legislature #InvestInME! by includingtrue 3.2% cost-of-living-adjustment (COLA) increase for the nonprofit I/DD service sector and Direct Support Wage Enhancement (DSWE) in the SFY 2025 Enacted Budget.

Today, we’re calling on you to help us use the power of social media to make our voices heard by joining New York Disability Advocates on Facebook and Twitter for our Social Media Day of Action!

What Will We Be Doing?: Every Wednesday, starting April 10th, NYDA be posting live throughout the day on Twitter and Facebook urging Governor Hochul and the New York legislature to include nothing less than a true 3.2% COLA and DSWE in this year’s final State budget. The goal is to spread our message while tagging our elected officials so many times that they can’t ignore us any longer. 

What Can You Do?: Help us make some noise by sharing, retweeting, and replying to our content and posting stories and messages of your own! Here’s a step-by-step guide:

  1. Follow  @nydisabilityadvocates on Facebook and @nydisabilityadv on X/Twitter.
  2. Help amplify our message by re-tweeting/sharing our content to your personal or organization’s social media pages and tagging your elected officials. 
  3. Share your story! Post a personalized message on your social channels and tag NYDA so we can re-post it to our channels. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #NYDADayOfAction and #InvestInME, and tag the following:
  1. Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul)
  2. Speaker of the Assembly Carl Heastie (@CarlHeastie)
  3. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins (@AndreaSCousins)
  4. Spread the word by tagging additional decision-makers in Albany in the comments on your posts: 
  1. Kerri Neifeld (@keneifeld)
  2. Kathryn Garcia (@KGforNYC)
  3. Karen Persichilli Keogh (@kp224)
  4. NY Office of Persons With Developmental Disabilities (@NYSOPWDD)
  5. New York State Division of the Budget (@NYS_DOB)
  6. New York Senate Democratic Conference (@NYSenDems)
  7. New York State Senate Republican Conference (@nysenategop)
  8. New York State Assembly GOP (@NYS_AM)