Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I – Corning) is pleased to announce that Governor Andrew Cuomo has signed legislation, Assembly Bill A.6692 - co-sponsored by Assemblyman Phil Palmesano - which restores $90 million in funding for people with developmental disabilities that was cut from the original 2013-2014 budget. The move ensures that people with developmental disabilities and their families will have the services they need to help maintain their quality of life.

“The ARC of Yates County is sincerely grateful for the ongoing commitment from Assemblyman Palmesano on behalf of people with disabilities,” said Yates County ARC Director Kate Ring. “Through his advocacy, $90 million has been reinstated to serve the most vulnerable in our community.”

“The governor’s signature on this funding restoration is great news,” said Palmesano. “Our commitment to the most vulnerable in our state is of the utmost importance. The restored funds provided through this legislation are crucial to ensuring both safety and quality of life. The fact of the matter is this cut should have never happened in the first place, and I am hopeful this action will now act as a reinforcement that we have a moral obligation to protect our most vulnerable New Yorkers - the developmentally disabled.”

Palmesano, a vocal advocate for the restoration of these cuts since they were made during the budget process in March, co-sponsored an amendment that would have restored the cuts and spoke in support of restoration on the floor of the Assembly.

“We should continue working together to look for solutions that will help improve the quality of life,” Palmesano concluded.