Albany, NY – Today, Citizen Action of New York, lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders came together at City Hall to hold a press conference introducing a resolution in support of the Invest in Our New York Act — a suite of widely popular policies that seeks to ensure ultra-wealthy New Yorkers and corporations pay their fair share and invest the newly generated public dollars into essential programs and services like affordable housing, affordable childcare, and public education.
This press conference was one of four coordinated events across New York calling on Governor Hochul and the state legislature to make millionaires, billionaires, and highly profitable corporations pay their fair share and fund our communities.
Albany, like many cities across New York, is struggling with an affordable housing crisis, underfunded public schools, and way too costly childcare. Citizen Action of New York has introduced a resolution that supports the Invest in Our New York Act –– because New Yorkers shouldn’t have to wait one more day for the resources and support they deserve.
“Supporting the Invest in Our New York Act is not just a matter of fairness, it’s about ensuring the long-term prosperity of our community,” said Owusu Anane, Albany Common Council. “This resolution is a call to action—it’s about standing up for the working families who keep our city running but aren’t reaping the benefits of our economy. By making the wealthiest among us contribute their fair share, we can build a more equitable Albany and create opportunities for everyone, not just the privileged few.”
“The situation in Albany is dire and urgent. Our communities are struggling under the weight of skyrocketing housing costs and underfunded schools. If we want Albany to thrive, we need millionaires and billionaires to pay their fair share,” said Eduardo Hernandez, Lead Organizer for Citizen Action of New York Albany Chapter. “Affordable housing and fully funded public schools are not just aspirations—they are necessities. We’re calling on our leaders to act now and invest in the future of our children and families before it’s too late.”
“As someone who has experienced needing temporary shelter in Albany, I know firsthand how underfunded our support systems are,” said Ebony Holman, member of Citizen Action of New York. “I was lucky to get petty cash to get back on my feet and stay in the shelter for six months, but many others were forced out after just two months or couldn’t access caseworkers when they needed them. Our state has the resources to change this, but instead, millionaires and billionaires hoard wealth that should be invested in shelters and communities. That’s why passing the Invest in Our New York Act is so important—it will ensure that the wealthy pay their fair share so that shelters like the one that helped me can help everyone who walks through their doors.”
The Invest in Our New York Act is a comprehensive legislative package designed to reform New York’s tax system and reverse decades of underinvestment in the services that working families across New York rely on.
In 2021, Invest in Our New York (IONY) led the charge to raise taxes on millionaires and billionaires and we won over $10 billion in new recurring revenue. Those dollars went to increasing funding for our public schools, keeping people housed during the pandemic, and expanding access to unemployment benefits for working-class New Yorkers.