The 2013-14 proposed state budget includes a $120 million worth of funding cuts for the Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Although $30 million has been restored to the agency after the initial proposal, the cuts have driven a lot of lawmakers to openly criticize Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders.
Today in the Assembly Chamber, numerous lawmakers from both sides of the aisle spoke openly against the cuts, including a passionate speech made by longtime Long Island lawmaker Harvey Weisenberg. The Long Beach Democrat has a son, Ricky, who is developmentally disabled. The Assemblyman filed a federal lawsuit against a residential facility last year over alleged abuse of his son. The speech, a portion of which can be seen above, drew a standing ovation from his colleagues.