Albany, NY – In response to Speaker Heastie’s opening address for this year’s legislative session, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, said:
CEO campaign contributors have rigged the system so that they can grow their profits while our communities are starved of resources. That’s why we strongly applaud Speaker Heastie’s plan to require the wealthiest New Yorkers to pay their fair share and invest in our communities and families.
We can fix our economy by eliminating jobs that hold families in poverty with no way out. Raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour for all workers will help over 37% of the workforce and grow economic opportunity for small businesses. The Assembly’s support is critical to winning this fight.
The future of our state will remain threatened unless we ensure that every child has access to a high quality education. New York State has neglected its obligation to fight back against the economic and racial inequality in school funding that has left so many children behind. We applaud Speaker Heastie’s commitment to invest in every child’s future and we are grateful for his leadership on behalf of our children.
The economic security of New York’s families shouldn’t be threatened by having to choose between taking care of a loved one or newborn and paying the rent. A robust Paid Family Leave program will help working families while boosting our state’s economy.
Citizen Action of New York’s 30,000 members stand with Speaker Heastie and the Assembly in support of these progressive initiatives to repair our state’s economy and win justice in our communities.
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