Critics Turn to Academics To Do Cost-Benefit Analysis of OPWDD Services

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  -- Faced with a $90 million cut to the state Office of People With Developmental Disabilities, Staten Island advocates for the disabled have been highly critical of the borough's Albany lawmakers for not doing enough to prevent what amounts to a 4.5 percent reduction in aid. 

Donna Long and Laura Kennedy
are among those critical to the cuts.

But now Assemblyman Michael Cusick and one of the sharpest critics of the cuts to OPWDD, parent and activist Laura Kennedy -- who branded the reductions "cruel and shameful" -- told the Advance Thursday they've come up with a "plan of action" going forward.

Opinion: 1-in-50, Big Lie About Autism

From Anne Dachel of The Age of Autism.

In 2006 and in 2007, I wrote stories on "The Really Big Lie About Autism."  This is of course the insane claim that the autism epidemic is simply the result of an expanded definition and greater awareness. 

Back in 2006, the rate was one in every 166 children and in 2007, it became one in every 150 children.  Regardless, whatever the rate, it's always because of the same thing: No real increase--greater recognition.

It's just been announced that we now have an autism rate of one in every 50 children, one in every 31 boys.  The official disclaimer is unchanged, as seen in media reports.

Gym Is Something to Cheer About

OK, we've been inundated with fiscal news for a bit, so let's go to one of those feel-good stories. Makes everything seem much better.

Chris Brown never thought any of her daughters would be involved in cheerleading. She thought that world was full of short skirts and superficial girls.

But Brown changed her mind when cheerleading became a life-altering experience for her daughter, who has Down syndrome.

NYS Sen. O'Mara Rips Governor for Cuts

ALBANY -- State Sen. Tom O'Mara (R-C, Big Flats) Wednesday criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo for failing to more fully roll back his cut to the state Office of People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD) in the final 2013-14 state budget.

O'Mara said that both the Senate and Assembly had called for rejecting and fully restoring the governor's proposed $120 million or six-percent, across-the-board reduction to OPWDD – the lead state agency overseeing state assistance to programs and services for people with developmental disabilities.

Opposed to Cuts for Disabled, Freshman NYS Senator Votes Against Budget Bill

ALBANY -- State Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk, D-Duanesburg, voted against the health budget bill citing spending cuts for the developmentally disabled.

The freshman senator highlighted the 4.5 percent cut in the negotiated budget and grilled Senate Finance Chair John DeFrancisco on the potential impact. The cut is 75 percent of what was proposed in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget, who called for a 6 percent cut that would cost $120 million.

OPWDD Needs Money More Than 'Tonight Show,' Assemblyman Says

ALBANY -- Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, is calling for fellow lawmakers to allocate $5 million he believes has been set aside to lure the "Tonight Show" back to New York and instead put the money toward the Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

Jimmy Fallon of the "Tonight Show."

"The role of state government is to have spending priorities and protect our most vulnerable citizens in the state budget," Tedisco said in a press release. "Our policy should be looking out for families and people with developmental disabilities in communities like Ballston Spa, not giving taxpayer-funded handouts to support the lifestyles of the rich and famous in Beverly Hills."

Nebraska Seeks Funds for Services to Aid People on Wait List

LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska needs to continue to whittle down a list of 2,200 people with developmental disabilities waiting for services, Omaha Sen. Steve Lathrop and others told the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday afternoon. 

Lathrop introduced a bill (LB375) in this session of the Legislature that would appropriate money for services for people on the waiting list. The Legislature's preliminary budget proposes spending $1.9 million in 2013-14 and $3.9 million the next year for those services.