Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) today applauded the announcement that an agreement has been reached to restore funding lost in this year’s state budget for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). Under the terms of the deal, cuts enacted in the state budget will be reversed, either through management efficiencies or an influx of cash. The Legislature will act next week on legislation to restore the cuts.

“Over the past three months, I’ve joined my colleagues numerous times to present new solutions to restore this critical funding for our most vulnerable,” said McDonough. “Fortunately, all sides have found the courage to do the right thing and take up this proposal to provide meaningful assistance for OPWDD. I want to thank my colleague, Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, for his leadership in this matter, and I hope our local agencies are able to quickly receive these much-needed funds.”

McDonough was among 146 of 147 Assembly members who signed on to co-sponsor legislation put forward by Assemblyman Weisenberg, which, when enacted, will have a previously-established working group come up with savings recommendations without impacting programs such as adult day care. If the savings fall short of $90 million, state funds will be used to make up the difference.

“On budget night, I joined my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to call for this funding to be restored. While it took some time, I am pleased an agreement was reached,” concluded McDonough.

Video from budget night of McDonough offering his support for a budget amendment to restore the funding can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0G7FSJ25Ns.