“This session, my colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority Conference have been fighting for funding to provide workers who provide quality care to New Yorkers with developmental disabilities with a living wage. As the minimum wage has increased, non-profits facing flat Medicaid reimbursements would have needed to cut critical services or dedicated direct-care workers to keep their doors open. We stepped up to the plate and fought for state funding to protect these workers and the critical, quality-of-life care they provide. I applaud the governor for listening and delivering. I want to thank Leader Kolb for his leadership on this issue, and I want to thank all of the compassionate direct-care professionals for ensuring that the most vulnerable New Yorkers enjoy healthy, fulfilling lives with access to opportunity and inclusion.”