Senator Bonacic spoke at an Albany press conference recently to pledge his support for increased spinal cord research funding in the 2014-2015 budget. Remarking on a statement made at the conference that this would be a job-creating endeavor, Senator Bonacic said that this was more “about caring for all of our citizens and their families.”

Joining Senator Bonacic were four gentlemen, two were severely injured performing everyday activities, like riding a bicycle and working on roof; another gentlemen was injured in a diving accident, and co-founder of New Yorkers to Cure Paralysis and retired police officer, Paul Richter, was shot in the line of duty. “We don’t feel the pain they feel,” said Senator Bonacic, “They survive, they go on, and they excel. This is what this press conference is about.”

Senator Bonacic is calling on the Governor to include $6.5 million dollars of funding in the 2014-2015 budget and for the legislature to pass Senate Bill 1883, which Senator Bonacic sponsored, that will establish a minimum annual level of funding for the Spinal Cord Injury Research Trust Fund through a 5.6% mandatory surcharge from motor vehicle violations up to $8.5 million dollars. More spinal cord injuries occur through motor vehicle accidents than any other reason.  This surcharge is, according to the Senator. “So that they don’t have to come back year after year, with hat in hand to ask for more money.”

###