NYPWA Newsletter 5-23-25
Upcoming Events:
July 20 - 23: NYPWA Summer Conference in Saratoga Springs
Summer Conference - Moderators Needed
We are exactly two months away from the Summer Conference. Nicole is finalizing the brochure and schedule. We ask you please start to think of people who could help moderate sessions at the Summer Conference. A moderator’s duties involve introduction of the session, the speakers, keeping time and assisting with the Q & A.
New Website Information
NYPWA Administrative Coordinator, Alex Crowell, has been working hard at revamping and updating our website. Commissioners, please note that we have new content on the Commissioners page of the website related to proposed federal cuts. One of our goals this year was to keep the website updated. You will see that NYPWA is working to achieve that goal.
Federal House of Representatives Pass Budget Bill – Bill now heads to U.S. Senate
President Trump's Federal Fiscal Budget Bill passed with a vote of 215 votes to 214 votes early Thursday morning.
According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, it will add about $3.8 trillion to the federal government's $36.2 trillion in debt over the next decade.
Relating to Medicaid changes, the bill would implement new work requirements, targeting able-bodied adults and immigrants. The CBO also estimated the bill could result in $698 billion less in federal subsidies to the Medicaid program, and estimates that more than 8 million Americans could lose healthcare coverage.
Additionally, the SNAP program is being cut by $230 billion, cutting the ability of millions of Americans to supplement their grocery budget to afford nutritious food. The bill now goes to the US Senate, where they will make edits in the next few weeks.
The State of ALICE in New York
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county (the ALICE Threshold). Combined, the number of ALICE and poverty-level households equals the total population struggling to afford basic needs. Conditions have improved for some families, but with rising costs, many still find themselves struggling. There is a PDF of that report attached to this email.
CPS Worker Safety Bills Introduced
Around a year ago, a CPS worker with the Westchester County Department of Social Services was attacked while visiting a client. She was a public servant who later died from her injuries. State Senator Peter Harckham and Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg announced at a press conference this week the introduction of new legislation aimed at protecting CPS workers (S.6986).
The new law would establish the crimes of assault on a child protective services worker, aggravated assault on a child protective services worker and menacing a child protective services worker, as well as legislation requiring Department of Social Services districts statewide to provide “panic buttons” to all employees who interact with clients in external settings.