Letter to the Editor: Lynbrook, East Rockaway

Long-sought victory for those caregivers

To the Editor:

Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and their families rely on the care of direct-support professionals employed by the nonprofit sector, providing daily living services to some of our state’s most disabled residents.

Recently, the State Legislature finally agreed to give direct caregivers a much-deserved raise. It was a long time coming. Before this raise, they had been paid so little that it was more lucrative to flip burgers at fast-food restaurants. The foundation for this hard-won victory was laid by former Assemblyman Harvey Weisenberg, who has been a persistent advocate for direct caregivers.

This under-paid and under-appreciated group of dedicated professionals has always had Weisenberg’s respect, and he knows their jobs and how heartbreaking and challenging they can be. As the parent of an adult son served by direct caregivers, he can sympathize with workers who are paid inadequate salaries.

Even in retirement, Weisenberg still fiercely advocated to secure commitments from state legislative leaders and the governor to raise the salaries of these workers. He was resoundingly successful in this quest, and it was a privilege to cast my affirmative vote to finalize this commitment.

Weisenberg called the raise “a united message of hope to everyone in this state who lives with disabilities.” I think good things don’t happen by accident. They happen when good people speak up and fight for what is right. Congratulations to Harvey Weisenberg on this amazing feat. We got direct caregivers this raise because of his work, and I was one of many Democrats and Republicans who were proud to nudge it over the finish line.

Todd Kaminsky

State Senator, 9th District