Governor Paterson Meets with New York Congressional Delegation

ALBANY, NY (11/17/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today met with the New York State Congressional Delegation at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. The Governor thanked the delegation for its efforts on behalf of New York State and urged members to act on a number of key legislative issues that must be addressed before the end of the year. Governor Paterson also sent a letter to the State's Congressional Delegation asking for support and passage of initiatives vital to New York's continued economic recovery.

"As the 111th Congress completes its work on behalf of the American people, I'd like to thank New York's delegation for its service during the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression," Governor Paterson said. "Our Congressional Delegation has worked tirelessly on behalf of all New Yorkers, securing federal funds for critical programs and passing laws that make our State and our country a better place to live, work and raise a family."

Funding secured by the State's Congressional Delegation has been critical to the State's fledgling economic recovery. The Governor thanked the delegation for its role in delivering approximately $1.4 billion in enhanced federal Medicaid funding for the State over the next two budget years, of which $800 million was provided for the current fiscal year. Governor Paterson also thanked the Delegation for its efforts, in conjunction with legislation and reforms undertaken on the State level, to ensure that New York received $696,646,000 in Race to the Top Round II education funding.

In addition, the Governor congratulated the Congressional Delegation for its efforts securing health care reform, which will help make coverage both accessible and affordable for New York individuals, families and small business owners who have struggled with spiraling health care costs. Federal health care reform will help ensure that New Yorkers, and all Americans, receive the care they need regardless of preexisting conditions, without annual and lifetime limits and without arbitrary drops in coverage and will offer the 2.5 million uninsured New Yorkers real health care options.

"Before the 112th Congress begins its work in January, however, there are still a few remaining legislative items that must be resolved. I call on Congress to take action on these issues before it adjourns this year," the Governor said.

Among the issues Governor Paterson raised during today's meeting was the need to fully fund the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) at last year's level of $5.1 billion to help families cope with cold winter temperatures and higher energy costs. The Governor recently sent a letter to President Obama and the Congressional Delegation stressing the importance of the LIHEAP program to low-income New Yorkers. Last winter the State issued LIHEAP benefits to more than 1.9 million households, a record high. With residential energy prices projected to increase this coming winter, the Governor stressed that a reduction in LIHEAP funding would be devastating to those who rely on this vital assistance.

Governor Paterson discussed the need for Congress to renew the federal unemployment insurance benefits program before it expires on November 30. An estimated 2 million workers nationwide, including nearly 200,000 New Yorkers, will be cut off from federal unemployment benefits if Congress does not act promptly to extend the program. Since July 2008, when the first legislation was enacted that extended weeks of compensation, $9 billion in benefit payments has helped to improve the State economy.

The Governor also thanked the Delegation for replenishing the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Contingency Fund, a fund that can be accessed by States in times of significant economic crises, and advocated for an extension of the TANF Emergency Contingency Fund, which was created to help connect low-income individuals with subsidized employment opportunities that otherwise would not be available due to the current economy.

Additionally, Governor Paterson urged the State's Congressional Delegation to continue to work with Senate colleagues to secure final passage of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act. This legislation would guarantee that every American at risk of illness from exposure to Ground Zero toxins has the right to the medical monitoring and treatment they deserve. The Governor stressed that this legislation was a moral imperative and should be seen not only as a priority for New York, but as a national priority.

Since Governor Paterson took office, New York has utilized federal stimulus funds to strategically combat the fiscal crisis and lay the foundation for future economic growth and prosperity. In February 2009, Governor Paterson created the New York State Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet to ensure that stimulus funds would be dispersed transparently. For more information about the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Cabinet, and how funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act continue to benefit New York State, please visit: www.recovery.ny.gov.

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