Editor’s Note: Click Here to view Assemblyman Morinello’s interview.

Today, Assemblyman Angelo J. Morinello (R,C,I,Ref-Niagara Falls) joined his Assembly colleagues and direct-care workers at an Albany rally calling for the inclusion of increased funding for direct-care workers in the 2019-20 New York State Budget. The Assembly Majority allocated $57.4 million in new funding for the continuation of the direct care-worker salary increase for individuals whose salary is funded through Medicaid. This will be funded starting January 1, 2020 through March 31, 2020. Following the rally, the governor vowed to restore direct-care funding that was cut from the budget, but there’s no guarantee it will remain there until the budget is passed.

“Direct-care workers are some of the hardest working and most dedicated individuals in our state and they deserve a livable wage that will allow them to provide for their families,” said Morinello. “Each day, these men and women work tirelessly to care for society’s most vulnerable, yet we continue to underfund this vital workforce. During budget negotiations, I’m hopeful we’ll provide the funding necessary to accurately represent the work done by our state’s direct-care workers do. I urge the governor and legislative leaders to work collaboratively to pass a budget with this critical funding for New York state’s direct-care workers.”