New York, NY – Today, Citizen Action of New York, lawmakers, advocates, and community leaders came together at the steps of 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.
The resolution was one of five introduced statewide. Local council members in Albany, Buffalo, Poughkeepsie, and Newburgh are also fighting for their chambers to officially support the Invest in Our New York Act. They joined advocates at rallies across the state today to kick off the effort.
In the past year alone, New York City has faced libraries cutting hours, schools laying off teachers and guidance counselors, and critical accessible upgrades to our subways being paused. In Buffalo, lawmakers increased property taxes by over 4 percent to pay for some of our city’s most basic services, like increased snow removal – thanks to climate crisis-style blizzard; but the city is still facing potential cuts to essential services next year. As rents skyrocket, corporations like Central Hudson are raising costs for Hudson Valley residents to keep the lights on and their homes warm. Instead of having access to fully funded shelters that can help them get on their feet, homeless residents of Albany are forced out onto the streets, only to be criminalized for not having access to safe, affordable homes.
Years of letting the ultra-rich hoard their wealth while failing to fund the services and programs every New Yorker relies on has only led to more and more people and families struggling. Citizen Action of New York introduced resolutions that support 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.
“Governor Hochul’s vision for New York disappointingly skews in favor of the wealthy and not everyday New Yorkers. While many are struggling day to day, she continues to refuse to raise taxes on the ultra-rich — ignoring the fact that working-class New Yorkers overwhelmingly want corporations and the ultra-wealthy to pay what they owe to the public they profit from,” said Rebecca Garrard, Citizen Action of New York Deputy Executive Director. “Citizen Action stands ready to organize and to work with partners in and out of state government who are committed to a people-powered plan to invest in education, affordable housing, affordable childcare and all else that is necessary to create a New York state where everyone can thrive.”
“In a state as prosperous as New York, it’s unconscionable that wealth inequality continues to grow while millions of our residents struggle. My commitment to equity is unwavering, and with the Invest in Our New York campaign, we are advancing a fiscal plan rooted in fairness. Legislation like my Progressive Tax Bill is crucial for reforming outdated tax laws that favor the ultra-rich, so we can invest in the well-being of all New Yorkers,” said Senator Robert Jackson. “It’s time for the wealthiest to contribute their fair share, paving the way for a New York that supports every citizen. Let us be remembered as the builders of a future that not only balances our budget but enriches our community, securing prosperity for every generation to come.
“Today, we send a clear message: it’s time for the ultra-wealthy and corporations to pay their fair share. I’m proud to support Council member Hudson’s resolution for the ‘Invest in Our NY Act,’ which includes my Capital Gains Tax bill (S2162) to address extreme wealth inequity,” said Senator Gustavo Rivera. “By passing this legislation, we can fund vital public services like healthcare, schools, housing, and childcare. We cannot continue with a tax system that allows billionaires to accumulate wealth while working class families struggle to make ends meet.”
“It’s more important than ever to prioritize our youth. They are the future of our communities, and investing in them is not just a responsibility—it’s a moral obligation. When we support our young people and invest in education, we uplift entire generations, giving them the tools to succeed and the hope to dream bigger,” said New York City Councilmember Rita Joseph. “We know what works—early childhood education, afterschool programs, and initiatives that give our youth a safe space to grow. But these programs need real investment at the state level to thrive. This isn’t just about dollars; it’s about making sure every young person has the opportunities and support they deserve. We must act now to ensure that our future is bright, equitable, and filled with opportunity for every child.”
“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.”
“I am proud to say that I support and sponsor this resolution calling for the State of New York to pass the Invest in Our New York package. As a lifelong City of Poughkeepsie resident who attended Poughkeepsie City Schools and now a City Councilmember, I know first hand that our community is in great need of more resources to ensure that our community and our families can thrive,” said Chris Grant, Poughkeepsie Council Member, Ward 6. “More resources for our community means bigger investments in our youth and in our infrastructure. Working class people in this city and across the entire state pay a higher percentage of their income than the wealthiest in our state. It has been time to move in a different direction.”
“Our public schools are like second homes to many of our children. They don’t just go to school to get an education, but also receive additional services that further enrich their lives,” said Martha Villatoro, member of Make the Road New York. “My children receive occupational therapy in their school, but due to the budget cuts, this is at risk of disappearing. Not only this, but their school already lacks after-school programs for art and music classes. But not all is lost. If the ultra-rich and big corporations pay their share in taxes, we can have enough money to invest in quality education, health care for all, and affordable housing. When the wealthiest pay what they owe, we can finally begin to close the wealth gap, and every New Yorker can have the opportunity to stay and thrive in our city and state.”
“The New York State legislature must meet the needs of this time by building infrastructures of care and compassion,” said Jawanza Williams, Director of Organizing of VOCAL-NY. “We’re witnessing intersecting crises of mass homelessness, unmet mental health needs, the overdose crisis, economic immobility among low-income, working-class New Yorkers and government neglect of our most vulnerable communities. The corporations, ultra-millionaires, and billionaires across New York have a responsibility to pay what they owe to the very society they’ve made their extreme wealth on – often at the expense of the communities that need our collective support the most.”
“I’ve been a Harlem resident for 27 years, and I raised my son here,” said Community Voices Heard member Kathryn Marrow. “I don’t want to see my son or my longtime neighbors pushed out of New York, but housing is becoming more and more unaffordable. Everyday New Yorkers like myself have worked so hard to build a better life for our families. We need millionaires, billionaires, and corporations to pay their fair share.”
“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 a lifelong Newburgh resident, I’ve seen firsthand the impact that decades of under investment in our community has had on our youth. Our schools are underfunded, there are no programs for young people, families can’t afford housing or food, and yet the richest individuals in this state have opted out of paying their fair share,” said Gabrielle Hill, member of Citizen Action of New York Hudson Valley Chapter. “If we are going to talk about investing in our future we have to address investing in our youth. It’s about fairness, it’s about justice, and it’s about time.”
“Our Buffalo communities are facing a crisis that can’t wait any longer. Public schools are underfunded, affordable housing is out of reach for too many, and the climate crisis is threatening the future of our neighborhoods,” said Niasha Hamilton, Lead Organizer, Citizen Action of New York Buffalo Chapter. “ We need bold action from our legislators to pass the Invest in Our New York Act, and we will keep fighting until the wealthy are paying their fair share. If we don’t act with urgency, we risk deepening the disparities that have held Buffalonians back for far too long.”
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.