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. 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 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.
“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 Legislation like my Progressive Tax Bill is crucial for reforming outdated tax laws that favor the ultra-rich, so we can invest in the well-being of all New Yorkers,” said Senator Robert Jackson.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.”
“For us to guarantee that all New Yorkers can live with dignity means we must strengthen the public institutions that sustain us at every turn––be they our hospitals, schools, libraries, or older adult centers. We need to do more to deliver for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “We all deserve a fair shake. Yet, for us to achieve this goal, we need to advance policies––like the Invest In Our New York Act––that will allow us to close gaps in programs and services by making sure big companies and our city’s super-rich pay their fair share in taxes. By doing so, we’ll strengthen our communities and ensure our city delivers for us all.”
“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 Council Member 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.”
“Our communities are struggling while the wealthy and well-connected benefit from a system that works for them. We need leadership that stands up for everyday New Yorkers, and right now, our state legislators have a chance to show they’re on our side by supporting the Invest In Our New York Act,” said Jamell Henderson, NYC Regional Council Chair, Citizen Action of New York. “The current chaos with New York City’s leadership only emphasizes the need for stability and solutions at the state level. Our communities deserve the resources to thrive – from more funding for CUNY schools to investments in affordable housing, it’s time to make the wealthy pay their fair share so we can all move forward and thrive together.”
“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 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.