Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) is pleased that one of his top budget priorities – securing a pay raise for direct-care workers who provide critical quality-of-life care for developmentally disabled New Yorkers – has garnered support from the governor’s office.

“These are our most vulnerable New Yorkers,” said Palmesano. “Budgets are about priorities. As the minimum wage has increased, it is harder than ever for nonprofit service providers to afford and retain these talented, dedicated caregivers. My position is that the state should step in and ensure that these healthcare professionals receive a living wage, and I’m glad that the governor agrees with us,” said Palmesano.

Palmesano cautioned that the details of the pay raise have yet to be worked out during budget negotiations. He’s calling for an immediate pay increase for direct-care professionals.

“Other proposals wouldn’t be effective until January of 2020. My position is that these workers should not be waiting that long. We jeopardize critically-important programming for New Yorkers with special needs if we don’t make this happen quickly. These are difficult, emotionally draining positions. If pay doesn’t keep ahead of the minimum wage, what incentive do these workers have to stay?” asked Palmesano.

Palmesano was part of a bipartisan group of lawmakers in 2017 who successfully fought to provide nonprofit service providers with a $56 million allocation to help them retain direct- care workers and comply with the administration’s minimum wage increase.

“My Assembly Minority colleagues and I will never forget about our friends and neighbors with developmental disabilities. They brighten our lives. A budget that fails to provide them with quality healthcare and dynamic programming is a budget that fails all of us,” said Palmesano.