We Refuse to Celebrate a Budget That Abandons Our Communities
(Albany, NY) – In response to Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget deal, Carolyn Martinez-Class and Rebecca Garrard, Interim Co-Executive Directors at Citizen Action of New York, released the following statement:
“This budget is not a cause for celebration. Governor Hochul played political games with people’s lives, penny-pinched her way through negotiations, and showed a blatant disregard for the real, urgent needs of our communities.
“With looming federal cuts to critical programs that New Yorkers rely on — from food assistance to child care and health care — this was the moment for Governor Hochul to show up and make a plan to fill the gap by raising taxes on the ultra-rich. Instead, she chose austerity not action.
“Governor Hochul engaged in a fear mongering campaign and prioritized proposals that will further criminalize Black and brown New Yorkers, like rollbacks to discovery reforms and a mask ban. Worse yet, she used the budget process to push through a petty change to the lieutenant governor ballot process and expand her own budgetary authority proving once again that she will prioritize political power over delivering for working class people.
“This budget is a masterclass in missed opportunities and manufactured crises. The Governor refused to make any real investments that benefit everyday New Yorkers, and the consequences of this failure will be felt most by those already bearing the brunt of systemic disinvestment. We will not be silent, and we will not celebrate crumbs. Citizen Action of New York will not stop fighting for the bold leadership New Yorkers deserve.”