(Albany, NY) – In response to the end of the 2025 Legislative Session, Carolyn Martinez-Class and Rebecca Garrard, Interim Executive Directors of Citizen Action of New York, issued the following statement:
“As the 2025 legislative session comes to an end, we want to be clear: this session delivered some gains, but it also fell short of what working people across our state truly need. Communities demanded bold, transformative action—and instead, Albany delivered piecemeal progress, while leaving some of the most critical issues unaddressed.
“We celebrate several important victories this session that show what’s possible when communities organize and demand justice. The passage of judicial redistricting reform is a long-overdue step toward a court system that actually looks like and serves the people. For the first time, we’re beginning to break down structural barriers that have kept Black and Brown New Yorkers off the bench. We thank Senator Gianaris, and Assemblymember Rivera.
“The prison reform package also marks a meaningful shift, ending abusive practices and increasing oversight in a system that has long prioritized punishment over humanity. We thank Senator Julia Salazar for being a tireless champion, and former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for standing in partnership with us on these fights for justice.
“We also won the repeal of the “100-foot rule”, a massive subsidy for fossil fuel expansion that forced New Yorkers to foot the bill for gas hookups developers wanted. There should be no more handouts to polluters while working families see their utility bills skyrocket. At the same time, more fundamental reforms that would have mandated plans to transition off gas were not advanced.
“But make no mistake this session ended in failure. The Assembly’s refusal to update Temporary Disability Insurance is a major issue in the fight for everyday New Yorkers. For 35 years, New York’s TDI program has left injured and sick workers barely scraping by. Meanwhile, states like New Jersey have stepped up with modern, humane benefits. Albany had the chance to fix this and yet they didn’t. They looked the other way while workers will continue to suffer.
“At Citizen Action, we’re not here to applaud half-measures. We’re here to fight for what’s right. We will keep organizing alongside Black, Brown, working-class, immigrant, and disabled New Yorkers—until our leaders stop prioritizing corporate profits and start delivering real care, real equity, and real justice.”