New York's new budget will increase pay 2 percent for about 100,000 caretakers of the disabled and others next year, their first raise in several years for many.
They will get a second cost-of-living adjustment next April, along with about 30,000 case workers, nurses and social workers.
Both raises cover residential and developmental aides and food service workers at nonprofits funded by six state agencies that serve developmentally disabled, mentally ill, elderly and juvenile clients.
The Cuomo administration initially proposed keeping their pay flat for the fiscal year that started two weeks ago as part of its push to keep state spending down.
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Legislators wanted the raises immediately, arguing that continuing the already low pay forces many staff to work unsafe amounts of overtime or take second jobs.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
