In response to Governor Hochul’s State of the State, Invest in Our New York Campaign Manager, Carolyn Martinez-Class, released the following statement:
“Over two months ago, middle-class, working-class, and low-income voters sent a clear message to elected officials across the country and New York: help us make ends meet. Governor Hochul’s State of the State address shows that while some demands resonated with her, she’s still unwilling to do what’s necessary to make New York affordable for everyone, not just the wealthy few.
“Governor Hochul’s support for universal school meals and an expanded child tax credit are much-needed long-term investments in New Yorkers and their families (unlike her one-time ‘inflation rebate’ checks, which fail to meaningfully meet the moment for struggling New Yorkers.)
“But bare-minimum state funding won't cut it with a federal administration keen on slashing every dollar possible. If any amount of the $86 billion in federal funds that we rely on is cut –– which may happen as soon as March –– New York families already struggling to find early childhood education seats could face bigger childcare deserts; low-income New Yorkers will find themselves without health insurance, and public hospitals may close; public transportation infrastructure projects could be delayed – again – and force even more fare increases on straphangers.
“New Yorkers cannot afford Governor Hochul sitting on her hands and taking a wait-and-see approach to funding critical programs and services millions rely on. Raising new public funds by ensuring the ultra-rich pay what they owe in the upcoming budget –– a widely popular proposal across New York –– will help protect State programs and services from looming cuts and generate the resources we need to make long, long-lasting investments in our communities.
“Over 120 billionaires and hundreds of thousands of millionaires call New York home. As the wealthy get richer and corporations make astronomical profits, working-class and low-income “New Yorkers are fleeing our state in search of a more affordable way of life. We deserve a Governor who will stand up for childcare providers, bus drivers, homecare providers, nurses – everyone who keeps our state running, even if it makes her super-rich donors unhappy. It’s time to make New York affordable for everyone. It is up to Speaker Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins to build on Governor Hochul’s agenda, tax the rich, and invest in our New York.”