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JM Murray is asking the state to support New York State Providers in the 2023-2024 budget, which they say the state isn’t budgeting enough for.
According to a release from JM Murray, the initial 2023-2024 NYS fiscal year budget proposed by Governor Hochul is falling short of what NYS providers, specifically not-for-profit/private providers need.
JM Murray is asking for a $4000 Wage Enhancement for Direct Support Professionals or DSP’s, which wasn’t included in any of the proposals from the Governor, NYS Senate or NYS Assembly.
In the 2022-2023 NYS fiscal year, NYS employed DSP’s received a 13% wage increase. For the 2023-2024 proposed budget, there is an additional $40 million set aside for this workforce. JM Murray says state employed DSP’s get a higher wage than profit/non-profits receive.
“What’s really tough to swallow for DSP’s is the two-tiered, two-class pay system between state employees and private employees.” JM Murray Executive Director Ernie Dodge said to X101 regarding the issue.
Dodge gave us an example, saying the average hourly rate for privately employed DSP’s is below $17/hour. He asks how does the Governor expect $.43/hour, less than $900/year to significantly impact a DSP’s life? How is that keeping up with the rate of inflation? How does that help provider agencies recruit and retain a skilled workforce?
Dodge also noted the Governor, NYS Senate and NYS Assembly have all proposed a base DSP wage for NYS employed DSP’s with a of $23/hour upstate and $25/hour downstate. This further widens the pay gap for the same work he says and it devalues the work provided by privately employed DSP’s.
In JM Murray’s release, they say the Governor is proposing to set aside $5.3 million from the 2023-2024 expected revenues for a rainy-day fund.
“It’s pouring now on DSP’s and providers. NYS has the money. They have to have the will and desire to even the playing field and make things equitable for private providers and their DSP’s,” Dodge went on to say.
JM Murray is asking the public to reach out to their representatives on this issue.
JM Murray’s Services Division provides compassionate support services to individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Their Business Division offers business-to-business solutions to various public and private organizations globally. The two sides of the organization are merged by offering people with disabilities the opportunity to obtain meaningful employment in a community-based work environment while also teaching them valuable skills, improving their self-esteem, and enriching their lives.
