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

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.