Attention all Direct Support Professional's (DSP's), individuals and families they serve and everyone who supports JM Murray's mission and vision.
NEW YORK STATE NEEDS TO HEAR FROM YOU!
The initial 2023-2024 NYS fiscal year budget proposed by Governor Hochul falls woefully short of what NYS providers need.
Our Asks:
- An 8.5% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA). Update: Both the NYS Senate and NYS Assembly have included this in their proposals.
- $4000 Wage Enhancement for DSP's. Update: This has not been included in any of the proposal from the Governor, NYS Senate or NYS Assembly.
Basis of Asks:
- In the 2022-2023 NYS fiscal year NYS employed DSP's received a 13% wage increase.
- In the 2023-2024 proposed budget there is an additional $40 million set aside for this workforce.
- Why do we have a 2-class wage system for the same work?
- The average hourly rate for privately employed DSP's is below $17/hour. How does the Governor (proposed 2.5% COLA) expect $.43/hour, less than $900/year to significantly impact a DSP's life? How is that keeping up with the rate of inflation? How does that help provider agencies recruit and retain a skilled workforce? Update: The Governor, NYS Senate and NYS Assembly have all proposed a base DSP wage for NYS employed DSP's of $23/hour upstate and $25/hour downstate. This further widens the pay gap for THE SAME work and it devalues the work provided by privately employed DSP's who provide 85% of the services to the I/DD sector.
Our asks are not unaffordable. The Governor is proposing to set aside $5.3 million from the 2023-2024 expected revenues for a rainy-day fund. It's pouring now on DSP's and providers. NYS has the money. They have to have the will and desire to even the playing field and make things equitable for private providers and their DSP's.
Write or call your local representatives:
- Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles
- Senator Lea Webb
- Governor's Regional Representative Tracy DiGenova
