UJA-Federation of New York congratulates Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for the passage and enactment of the 2017 – 2018 State Budget, totaling $153.1 billion. There were tremendous obstacles to overcome throughout the budget process, and UJA is grateful for the efforts of so many elected officials who advocated for funds to support vulnerable New Yorkers.

UJA commends the governor for his efforts to ensure the safety of the Jewish community and other vulnerable groups by including $25 million for security enhancements at community centers, day care facilities, and nonpublic schools. This funding, proposed in response to the waves of bomb threats made against JCCs, is timely and imperative to the safety of our clients. Our nonprofit partners, which include JCCs, are committed to providing safe, welcoming, and high-quality services to the community. This $25 million investment will enable our partners to address critical security needs and continue to provide services to all New Yorkers.

UJA further appreciates the establishment of a Hate Crimes Task Force, which engages state police, local law enforcement, prosecutors, and the state Division of Human Rights to investigate and combat hate crimes and discrimination.

We are encouraged by the state’s continued support for nonpublic schools, and are grateful for $60 million for the Comprehensive Attendance Policy (CAP) and $9 million in increased funding for the immunization reporting component of Mandated Services Reimbursements (MSR). Additionally, nonpublic schools received $15 million for the second consecutive year to fund capital security improvements, further indicating the interest of the governor and Legislature in protecting the Jewish community and other vulnerable groups.

Further support for nonpublic schools came through reimbursement for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) education. The State allocated $5 million for this important educational enhancement, which allows government reimbursement for teachers dedicated exclusively to secular curriculum.

In a budget season fraught with uncertainty, we thank the Legislature and governor for funding important human services programs, including maintaining the Holocaust Survivor Initiative and adding $2 million for Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs). NORCs and Neighborhood NORCs help thousands of New York’s seniors — many of whom are served by UJA’s nonprofit partners — receive the services they need to continue to age in place, avoiding unnecessary hospitalization or nursing home placement and remaining independent and active in their homes and communities.

UJA is also pleased to see support for proposed increases to the Summer Youth Employment Program and restored funding to the Adult Literacy and Career Pathways programs. We are relieved that the proposed changes to Title XX funds, which would have cut funding for New York City senior centers, were rejected; unfortunately, funding for Child Care Subsidies was cut in the process. We are very concerned that Advantage Afterschool funding was not fully restored to last year’s funding levels; this will negatively impact hundreds of New York State’s most vulnerable children and families in impoverished communities not eligible for other NY State after school funding initiatives.

Finally, while we are grateful for the inclusion of $20 million for the Nonprofit Infrastructure Capital Investment Program in the enacted budget, this amount does not fully meet the needs of the human services sector. We look forward to continuing our work with the governor and Legislature to strengthen the sector statewide.