ALBANY – The State Assembly has restored the $90 million that was cut from the budget of the state Office of People with Developmental Disabilities in a move supported for area legislators. The money had been cut in the governor’s state budget this spring.
Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther (D-Forestburgh), who is chairwoman of the Mental Hygiene Committee, said the money is important to the many organizations that serve those in need.
“That is so, so important, especially in our area – ARC, New Hope, Center for Discovery, so many of our non-for-profits who deliver quality and cost effective care would be impacted by this,” she said. “It was a big cut, 4 ½ percent, to their budget. Now we are restoring that 4 ½ percent.”
Gunther expects the Senate to follow suit and also approve restoration of the funding.