I am a resident of Ridge, NY, and a recipient of services that are severely affected by the ongoing staffing crisis in our state. The staff who provide these essential services are not being paid enough, leading to high turnover rates and instability in service provision.

New York State is currently facing an unprecedented staffing crisis. Underpaid workers are leaving their jobs due to insufficient wages, causing disruption in vital services that many New Yorkers rely on daily. This issue is personal to me - my own care has been impacted by this turnover.

To address this urgent problem, we ask Governor Kathy Hochul to fund a 4% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for these workers. A 4% COLA would significantly improve the wages of these employees and could help alleviate the current staffing crisis.

According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), inflation has risen by over 5% within the past year alone. Without a corresponding increase in wages through measures like COLA, our dedicated service providers struggle with rising living costs while their pay remains stagnant.

We believe that every worker deserves fair compensation for their labor and dedication. By funding this 4% COLA increase for staff members across New York State, we can ensure better retention rates among staff providing critical services while also improving living standards for them.

Please join us in urging Governor Kathy Hochul to take immediate action on this pressing issue – sign our petition today!