Sally Johnston, advocacy coordinator for Enable, travelled to Albany on Tuesday to attend a vigil protesting proposed funding cuts.  She was accompanied by several staff from Enable's Self-Directed Personal Services, a program facing severe changes if the cuts proposed by Governor David Paterson are passed.

Advocates invited Governor Paterson and state legislators to the vigil, held in the state capitol building.  They hoped the lawmakers would listen to their point of view regarding the budget cuts and find another way to close the state's budget gap.

Enable's executive director, Sara Wall-Bollinger, emphasized the important role non-profit agencies play as employers.  She noted that due to the high percentage of total expenses devoted to salary and fringe (85%), any significant budget cut from the State will result in the elimination of staff positions or salary reductions.  These losses may jeopardize the health and well-being of some of New York's most vulnerable citizens.

"Even in this time of fiscal pressure, we must be creative and flexible enough to respond to the needs of our constituency," Wall-Bollinger said.

This item was published on 13-Nov-09

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