May 23, 2008
PLAYING THE PERCENTAGES
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COLA doesn't quite do the trick (flickr.com/photos/tjpm/3393636/) |
The New York Department of Health's AIDS Institute announced its budget cuts last Friday, and their bark is likely worse than their bite. As expected, grantees will be hit with approximately two percent cuts to next year's programmatic contracts (starting July 1), but the programs will also get a three percent cost of living adjustment (COLA) in September.
While not directly connected, the COLA boost can potentially lessen the blow to programmatic contracts, according to Liz Fairweather, director of administration for the AIDS Institute. Still, because of how the funding is allocated, this is not a one-for-one substitution.
The cuts are still disappointing to grantees, especially since before Gov. David Paterson announced across-the-board cuts, the AIDS Institute was on track to get an increase this year.
"Given that we're facing cuts in federal Ryan White funding, particularly in areas of meals and nutrition, the increases will not help the situation," said Daryl Cochrane, assistant director of government relations for the Gay Men's Health Crisis. "The COLA increase isn't unsubstantial. But it will not make up for the cuts."