Press Release from Westchester County Legislator, David Tubiolo, 14th District.

 

 

 

For Immediate Release: Thursday, May 17, 2019

 

Legislator Tubiolo Leads Senior Advocacy Trip to Albany.

 

Annual Trip for Seniors to Lobby State Lawmakers.

 

            On Tuesday, May 14^th, Westchester County Legislator David Tubiolo (Yonkers & Mount Vernon) organized and led seniors on their annual bus trip from Yonkers to Albany to meet with New York State representatives for ‘Senior Advocacy Day’.

           

            Seniors who participated on the bus trip were from Yonkers and Mount Vernon, being the only group from Westchester County. The bus was filled to capacity with over 50 seniors on board with Legislator Tubiolo and staff.

 

            Seniors from across the state traveled from Brooklyn, Buffalo, Capital Region, Kingston, New York City, North Country, Tompkins County and of course Westchester, with 10 buses of over 400 seniors.

 

            Legislator Tubiolo, who Chairs the County Legislature’s Committee on Seniors & Constituencies, arranged for he and the Yonkers seniors to meet with Assemblyman Kevin Byrne, Senator Shelley Mayer, Senator Allessandra Biaggi and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins.

 

Senator Shelley B. Mayer, D-Yonkers, said, “I was so glad to take part in Senior Advocacy Day with seniors from Yonkers and Mount Vernon. I continue to press for resources for Westchester residents so seniors in particular can afford to stay and thrive in their communities. After a lifetime of giving back to Westchester and raising the next generation, it’s our responsibility as legislators to ensure seniors have adequate community support, community-based programs for recreation, transportation options, and financial security. They deserve diverse programs and opportunities, so they can be involved in the community and live full lives well into retirement. My office is always available to assist seniors with delayed STAR or Enhanced STAR checks and guide them to the proper agencies when they have challenges with healthcare, housing or other issues.”
 

Senator Alessandra Biaggi (D-Bronx/Westchester) said “Many of the pressing issues New Yorkers are currently facing – such as healthcare, transportation accessibility, and affordable housing – are particularly punishing for seniors. Senior advocates continue to play a critical role in fighting for the right of every New Yorker, and I am grateful for their commitment to creating a safer community for all of us”.
 

            “This was my second year as a County Legislator travelling with our seniors to Albany for Senior Advocacy Day. I’m happy to have met our NYS representatives with our senior community, advocating and expressing our most pressing issues. We must not and cannot forget our Golden Agers, who have given us our culture and so much more,” said Tubiolo.

 

According to Legislator Tubiolo, the discussions with State lawmakers included the State Budget, taxes, bereavement, elder abuse, financial security, health care, affordable senior housing, independence, isolationism, Medicaid/Medicare, transportation and more.

 

            Senior Advocacy Day was hosted by the New York State Wide Senior Action Council and New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA).

 

            “We were pleased that Westchester County’s delegation joined over 1,000 nurses and retirees from around the state to advocate for such important issues such as, Safe Staffing, Health Care, along with many others. These two measures will improve the quality of life of all older New Yorkers. New York’s elders consume 80% of all health care and will soon makes up 25% of the entire population,” said Maria Alvarez, Executive Director of the NY State wide Senior Action Council.

 

            The purpose of the NYS Wide Senior Action Council is to achieve security for all senior citizens, promote the general well-being of the aging through educational processes outlining the legislative needs of the elderly, promote the best interest of children/youth by intergenerational programs of mutual support, develop in the community an awareness of the needs/capabilities of older persons, monitor programs/services to the elderly of NYS to ensure their full representation and participation in planning, implementation and evaluation.

 

Tubiolo has continued the tradition of the annual bus trip to Albany for Senior Advocacy Day, which was started by his predecessor, the late, great Bernice Spreckman.

 

“Bernice Spreckman was one of the greatest advocates for seniors in a generation.  I am proud to carry on her tradition,” Tubiolo concluded.