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Senate Finance Committee Chair John A. DeFrancisco and Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chair Herman D. Farrell, Jr. today announced the Joint Legislative Budget Hearings will continue on Wednesday, February 16, with a focus on Human Services and Housing in New York State.

Joint legislative budget hearings will continue through March 3, 2011 and are available for live viewing on the Senate and Assembly websites and the Legislative Channel (available on cable systems throughout the state), but will be preempted when the houses are in session. At the conclusion of legislative deliberations, live televised coverage of the hearings will resume.

Witnesses scheduled to testify during the Human Services Hearing (9:30 A.M.) include:

New York State Office of Family and Children Services Commissioner Gladys Carrion

New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Executive Deputy Commissioner Elizabeth Berlin

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Colleen Gardner

New York State Office for the Aging Acting Director Greg Olsen

American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) New York State Legislative Representative Bill Ferris

United Neighborhood Houses Director of Policy Anthony Ng

Structured Employment Economic Development Corporation (SEEDCO) Senior Vice President for New York City Programs Francine Delgado

The Schuyler Center for Analysis and Advocacy President & CEO Kate Breslin

Hunger Action Network of New York State Executive Director Mark Dunlea

Citizens Committee for Children Associate Executive Director for Policy & Public Affairs Stephanie Gendell

Council of Family & Child Caring Agencies CEO James Purcell

Human Service Council Senior Policy Analyst Chris Winward

New York State Community Action Association CEO Denise Harlow

New York State Association of Area Agencies on Aging Executive Director Laura Cameron

United Way of United States President Susan Hager

Coalition for the Homeless Deputy Executive Director Shelly Nortz

Supportive Housing Network of New York Executive Director Ted Houghton

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Witnesses scheduled to testify during the Housing Hearing (1:00 P.M.) include:

New York State Homes & Community Renewal Commissioner Brian Lawlord

Neighborworks Alliance of New York Director Hillary Lamishaw

New York State Rural Housing Association Executive Director Blair Sebastian

Neighborhood Preservation Coalition of New York State Executive Director Jessica Vasquez

Habitat for Humanity of New York City Board Chair Father Mark Hallinan

Housing First Coordinator David Muchnick

Center for New York City Neighborhoods Executive Director Michael Hickey