N.Y. Budget Cuts Would Hurt Women and Children, Report Says

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s 2012 budget proposal, which sought deep cuts to human-service programs, would intensify hardships for women and children, the primary beneficiaries of programs supported by the state, a new report concludes.

The report, released Wednesday by the New York Women’s Foundation and the Fiscal Policy Institute, says that cuts to close a projected $10-billion budget gap would fall hardest on programs that reduce child abuse, help domestic-violence victims, boost education and job skills, and provide after-school programs and rental assistance.

“Nonprofit organizations will face significant challenges ahead if these budget cuts are enacted,” said Ana Oliveira, chief executive of the foundation. “In the long run, their survival will be in jeopardy, which exacerbates the plight of women, children, and families that desperately need the services they provide.”

The governor’s budget would eliminate full-time child-care money for 6,000 children and after-school care for 5,000 children. It would also strip $25-million from 105 New York City centers for the elderly that serve nearly 10,000 people.

Governor Cuomo has said he has little choice but to impose deep cuts. He told lawmakers Monday that if they don’t work with him to negotiate an agreement, he might have to force them to choose between accepting his plans or shutting all state operations.