Governor Andrew Cuomo recently signed legislation co-sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) which restores funding for programs and services for the developmentally disabled. Hawley fought against a $90 million cut to the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) during this year’s budget deliberations and backed a plan to reallocate money from a program providing tax credits for movies and television shows to close the gap. The legislation signed by the governor will ensure that the families and individuals who rely on OPWDD will receive the treatment they deserve.

“Reducing funding for programs and services that developmentally disabled New Yorkers rely on was a terrible idea from the start, and I am extremely thankful that our bipartisan effort was able to right this wrong,” said Hawley. “I’ve seen firsthand the amount of effort and compassion that goes into care for the developmentally disabled, and it is our responsibility to make sure that New York continues to take care of its most vulnerable citizens. The signing of this bill marks a victory for all those who believe people are more important than politics, and I thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for coming together on this critical issue.”