Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Columbia and Dutchess Counties both have aging populations and Assemblymember Barrett is focused on ensuring that seniors, often active and integral parts of our Hudson Valley towns, have the tools and support to Age in Place in the communities they call home. This means access to food, transportation, social life, medical care and the other aspects of everyday life, even in a rural setting. One important program that helps achieve this is New York's STAR rebate, which Assemblymember Barrett has long supported. Seniors on a fixed income rely on this property tax relief, and Didi is committed ensuring the program continues.

Didi was proud to vote for New York's Paid Family Leave Act last year, which will allow caretakers to receive paid time off from work to care for a family member, including an ailing parent; because no one should have to choose between making a living and caring for family.

Didi is also a strong supporter of Meals on Wheel and the Home Energy Assistance Program, which helps low-income people, many of them seniors with fixed incomes, heat their homes.

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