Letter to the Editor in today’s Syracuse.com  from MHANYS Board Member and CEO of Northern River’s, Bill Gettman

We must continue the drumbeat of ‘We Can’t Wait for 7.8”

NY state budget shortchanges not-for-profit workers
Published: Feb. 13, 2025, 10:24 a.m.

January 21, 2025 – Albany, NY – Governor Kathy Hochul presents the Fiscal Year 2026 Executive Budget in the Red Room at the State Capitol. (Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul)Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul

By Your Letters

To the Editor:

Gov. Kathy Hochul unveiled a $252 billion executive budget that placed a priority upon affordability, public safety, economic development, housing and prosperity.

The proposed budget includes funding for middle-class tax cuts, rebate checks, for an expansion of the state’s child tax credit, school meals for every student and millions for more police officers on subway trains — all designed to address concerns about affordability, crime and the cost of living.

There is a missing piece. The stark reality is that the money afforded by the state to the vital not-for-profit sector is incredibly low. We ask the 800,000 workers night and day to do everything, and yet we pay do not pay them what they are worth. With 30% turnover rate and a funding structure that relies on yearly cost of living adjustments, no wonder there are so many people that fall through the cracks of our child welfare and mental health system.

When adequate investment into the sector is not in the budget or only partially funded, providers must choose between giving workers well-deserved increases or paying the increased costs of utilities and rent.

The challenge is to pass a fair, balanced and forward-thinking budget that addresses the needs of all New Yorkers.

For the human services safety net providers and staff, a 7.8% investment will be particularly impactful and alleviate the financial strain many have faced while working in the sector. And last, the increase wil support a fragile safety net for all New Yorkers.

William T. Gettman Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

Northern Rivers Family of Services

Albany