use your voice for change
JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARING ON PUBLIC PROTECTION
Thank you, Chair Krueger and Chair Weinstein, for the opportunity to submit this
testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Public Protection. We present this written
testimony on behalf of Karen Nicolson , CEO of the Center for Elder Law & Justice
2024-2025 Executive Budget Topic: Economic Development
The Center for Elder Law and Justice (CELJ) greatly appreciates the opportunity to provide our
comments to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee on Economic Development. CELJ has been
serving the Western New York region for over 40 years, providing free civil legal services to older
adults, persons with disabilities, and low- income families. CELJ’s primary goal is to use the legal
system to assure that individuals may live independently and with dignity. CELJ also advocates
for policy and systems change, particularly in the areas of housing, elder abuse prevention, nursing
home reform, and consumer protection. Currently CELJ provides full legal representation in ten
counties of Western New York. CELJ’s Free Senior Legal Advice Helpline is open to all of New
York State. CELJ operates a central office in downtown Buffalo, with three additional offices in
Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara counties.
2024-2025 Executive Budget Topic: Human Services
Thank you, Chair Krueger and Chair Weinstein, for the opportunity to submit this testimony to the
Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Public Protection. We present this written testimony on behalf
of Karen Nicolson, CEO of the Center for Elder Law & Justice. The Center for Elder Law &
Justice (“CELJ”) has been serving the Western New York region for over 40 years, providing free
civil legal services to older adults, persons with disabilities, and low- income families. CELJ’s
primary goal is to use the legal system to assure that individuals may live independently and with
dignity. CELJ also advocates for policy and systems change, particularly in the areas of housing,
elder abuse prevention, nursing home reform, and consumer protection. Currently CELJ provides
full legal representation in ten counties of Western New York. CELJ’s Free Senior Legal Advice
Helpline is open to all of New York State. CELJ operates a central office in downtown Buffalo,
with three additional offices in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Niagara counties.
2024-2025 Executive Budget Topic: Housing
Thank you, Chair Krueger and Chair Weinstein, for the opportunity to submit this testimony to
the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Housing. This testimony is presented by Kevin M.
Quinn, Director of Impact Litigation at the Center for Elder Law & Justice. The Center for Elder
Law & Justice (“CELJ”) has been serving the Western New York region for over 40 years,
providing free civil legal services to older adults, persons with disabilities, and low-income
families. CELJ’s primary goal is to use the legal system to assure that individuals may live
independently and with dignity. CELJ also provides for policy and systems change, particularly
in the areas of housing, elder abuse prevention, nursing home reform, and consumer protection.
Currently, CELJ provides full legal representation in ten counties of Western New York. CELJ’s
Free Senior Legal Advice Helpline is open to all of New York State. CELJ operates a central
office in downtown Buffalo, with three additional offices in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and
Niagara counties.