Empire Justice Center Testimony on Human Services in the 2011-12 Executive Budget Proposal
Introduction
Thank you for the opportunity to testify on the human services portion of the Executive Budget proposal. Empire Justice Center is a statewide legal services organization with offices in Albany, Rochester, White Plains and Central Islip (Long Island). Empire Justice provides support and training to legal services and other community-based organizations, undertakes policy research and analysis, and engages in legislative and administrative advocacy. We also represent low-income individuals, as well as classes of New Yorkers, in a wide range of poverty law areas.
As New York continues to grapple with the aftermath of the recession, it is essential that we do not forget that there are many among us that are still in its epicenter. There continues to be little evidence that prospects are improving for low income and low skilled New Yorkers. Indeed, most signs tell us just the opposite. Unemployment in New York remains high, averaging 810,000 in 2010, 90% higher than in 2007. The recession drove New York’s poverty rate up to 15.8% in 2009 with pockets of much higher poverty in many area of the state. Since the recession began, the number of New Yorkers receiving Food Stamps has grown by 60% - an increase of over one million people, all living at or near the poverty level. Safety net needs have continued to rise as recession-induced adversity has mounted. For those lucky enough to have a job, work supports such as child care subsidies remain absolutely crucial. For many, access to government benefits is a lifeline.
As we reviewed the Executive Budget we were pleased to see funding for several critical human services programs that provide assistance to low income New Yorkers maintained at last year’s reduced levels, which we will comment on below. Many of these programs have been repeatedly cut over the course of the past three years and are continuing to function at reduced capacity. The Executive’s maintenance of these programs in these difficult times is an acknowledgement of how effective they have been in supporting struggling New Yorkers and we sincerely appreciate that acknowledgement. Unfortunately, funding for many other highly effective programs has been reduced or eliminated. As we will describe below, we strongly believe that the programs highlighted play an important role in our state’s social services safety net and should continue to be made available to those who need them at least at last year’s funding levels. Finally, we will express our concerns about a series of proposals that we urge the legislature to soundly reject in light of their negative impact on low income New Yorkers.
To help mitigate the need for deep cuts and elimination of desperately needed benefits, services and work supports described in our testimony, Empire Justice Center strongly supports the efforts of the GrowingTogetherNY Campaign , which is advancing a series of revenue options, including the continuation of the temporary personal income tax surcharge.
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