Albany, NY – In response to the budget agreement announced by Governor Cuomo, Speaker Heastie, and Senate Leader Flanagan, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, said:
“It shouldn’t be this hard for our state to do what’s right for working families. Unfortunately, this budget maintains inequality – especially for upstate and for students in poor communities.
“The hard work of so many activists, parents and workers led to important progress on key issues. New York’s strong paid family leave insurance program will provide economic security for working families and strengthen our economy. Funding for community schools will mean more children will get a quality education and a better opportunity to escape poverty. Workers in New York City won a major victory with an increase to a $15 minimum wage by 2018, which will help those families boost their quality of life and will boost the local economy.
“But, these great steps forward are overshadowed by decisions that will hurt our state’s economy, hold our children back, and leave New York as one of the most corrupt states in the country. Senate Republicans were successful in directing education funding to wealthier school districts, while leaving schools that serve mostly children of color behind. At least another year will go by before our state makes the smart choice to expand pre-K, which has proven to be a crucial step toward closing the racial achievement gap. Our state’s economy will continue to be held back by poverty wages for upstate.
“Despite the conviction of the leaders of both houses of the legislature for corruption, nothing was done to reduce the influence of money in politics. While some corrupt elected officials are no longer in office, it’s clear that Albany’s culture of corruption is alive and well.
“This year, voters will have the chance to change who represents them in the legislature. They should take that chance very seriously.”
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