April 30, 2025
For Immediate Release
Contact: Glenn Liebman, CEO, MHANYS
518-360-7916 gliebman@mhanys.org
MEDIA ADVISORY:
HUMAN SERVICE ADVOCATES CONTINUE TO RALLY DAILY
TO URGE LEGISLATURE AND EXECUTIVE TO INCLUDE CRITICALLY NEEDED
7.8% TARGETED INCREASE IN FY 2025-26 STATE BUDGET
“WE CAN’T WAIT FOR 7.8”
(Albany, N.Y.) – Human services advocates will rally today at 11 a.m. on the third floor of the Capitol between the steps of the Senate Chamber and the Legislative Correspondents Association (LCA) Room.
The rally comes as Governor Hochul declared a budget deal had been reached earlier this week on major policy aspects of the FY 2025-26 budget with many of the financial aspects still to be worked on. Human services advocates will not stop making their voices heard on the critical need for a 7.8% investment for community-based not-for-profits human services rates and contracts in the FY 2025-26 NYS Budget.
According to Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State, “New York cannot address the mental health crisis and growing demand for services without an adequate workforce. Community-based not-for-profits are contending with high vacancy and turnover rates, which cannot be mitigated by the 2.1% targeted inflationary increase proposed by the Executive. The Legislature recognized the need for the 7.8% investment in their one house budgets and we continue to urge Legislative leadership and members to fight for this increase in the final budget. We must remember the budget is a reflection of our values and priorities. This workforce is the backbone of the community mental health system.”
