Worries Over Budget Cuts And Elderly

back

Support Global Action on Aging!

Thanks!

Worries Over Budget Cuts And Elderly

By John E. Thomas

New York Newsday, April 17, 2003

Two City Council members visited a group of Queens senior citizens last week to explain the city's budget predicament and answer questions about its possible impact on the elderly.

Council Speaker Gifford Miller and Councilman John Liu met Thursday with more than 300 seniors at the SelfHelp Benjamin Rosenthal Senior Center at 45-25 Kissena Blvd. in Flushing.

Liu (D-Flushing) began the hour-long forum by describing the council's ongoing fight to save Department of Aging programs from the budget ax. In 2002, council members were able to restore funding and keep a number of senior centers open. "And now we are in the fight again," he said.

Miller (D-Manhattan) outlined three significant causes of the present $4-billion budget gap: 9/11 and its estimated $95-billion cost to the local economy, a national recession, and the city's failure to plan "for a rainy day" during the prosperous late-1990s.

But in the end, he laid most of the blame on the "grossly unfair treatment we receive from the state and federal governments," saying that both receive more in tax revenues from the city than they return.

"In 2001, New York City sent $6.3 billion more to Washington than we got back, and $3.5 billion more to Albany than we got back," he said.

The city is on the hook for 25 percent of Medicaid costs, or $4 billion, with the state picking up 25 percent and the federal government, 50 percent. Elsewhere around the country, the state governments cover 50 percent.

Miller also said the city has to come up this year with $913 million for anti-terrorism measures.

Some program cuts proposed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg would directly affect the elderly, he said. A reduction in the $1.2 million Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities program would deprive many of assisted-living services. A cut in Medicaid could affect the quality of doctor and hospital care.

Liu passed out form letters on which citizens can ask state officials to support increased funding for senior programs. He said he plans to send the signed letters to Gov. George Pataki.

Most questions from the audience were about rising living costs and meeting them on a fixed income.

"They're forcing middle class senior citizens out of the city with property taxes," remarked Bernard Landau, 73, of Maspeth, after the discussion. "Why can't they give us a tax break?"

Assemb. Barry Grodenchik (D-Flushing) was in the audience to answer a question about possible changes in the city's Senior Center Rent Increase Exemption program. He said members of the council are working to have the maximum income eligibility level for the program raised from $20,000 to $30,000.

Some people asked about possible cuts to special transportation services and the lack of elderly-designated affordable housing. Miller promised to fight for these things but reminded listeners of the " fiscal crisis."

The speaker said later, "We are doing everything possible to see to it that seniors on fixed incomes are not unfairly impacted." The council must approve the city budget by the end of June. It takes effect July 1 for the following 12 months. Bloomberg estimates that the city has a deficit of $3.8 billion within a $44 billion budget, the worst in a generation.

"People think senior centers are all about meals and bingo," said Phyllis Tobin, assistant vice president for SelfHelp Housing and Senior Centers. The group operates six centers in Queens with 10,000 seniors enjoying exercise and computer classes, amateur theater and other programs.

"This is a very well-informed, active group of people that came to hear about these issues," she said. "They want to be part of our city's fiscal health. They want to have their fair share."