A group of policy initiatives that will help Black New Yorkers are being requested for funding by 14 Black elected officials from New York City as the state budget season draws to a close.
The organization emphasized the need to give “equity” priority in the budget-making process and stop the outflow of Black New Yorkers from the city in a letter to the governor and state Senate and Assembly leaders.
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The speaker and public advocate held a series of meetings to offer a state-level agenda for Black New Yorkers, and their 17 recommended “state budget priorities” are the result. These topics span from public safety to housing to health. The plans come at a time when Black political influence is seen to be at its height, with high-ranking Black leaders serving in both the municipal and state administrations.
Together with 11 other council members, the signatories—City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson—are among a lengthy list of leaders pleading for help before the state budget deadline on April 1. Others include Mayor Eric Adams.
They noted that “It cannot be ignored that 200,000 Black residents left New York City in the past decade due to the cost of raising a family and lack of economic opportunity.”
“It is imperative we take action to reverse this trend to ensure New York remains home to Black people in our city and state.”
Also, it was mentioned in the letter that “When Black people have equitable access to health, safety, and opportunity, everyone benefits.”
A new voucher scheme for the homeless and those in danger of homelessness was one of the local authority’s recommendations that were included in the state Assembly’s proposed budget and are currently up for negotiation, however, it is unclear how much influence they will have in the state budget fight.
The letter included a number of recommendations, including passing the Clean Slate Act to seal some convictions, increasing local public school funding, making doulas more affordable and accessible, and creating a task force to address the disproportionately high number of missing women and girls of color.
The participants also requested that the state impose a pied-à-terre tax on high-value luxurious residential homes that aren’t used as permanent residences and equal the city’s five-year, $3.4 billion investment in the neighborhood public housing agency.
Kevin Wolfe, senior government relations manager for the Center for New York City Neighborhoods, stated that there is a “real hunger to deliver now that we have a Black mayor, a Black attorney general, a Black Assembly speaker, and a Black Council speaker. ” He added, We have Black folk in so many positions of power. There’s a huge emphasis.”
The letter specifically mentions the Homeowners Protection Program, which offers housing counselors and legal aid to individuals who are in danger of losing their homes. Wolfe’s group is a recipient of this program. Over half of the program’s members are Black, and around 80% of them are from Black and brown neighborhoods, according to Wolfe, who also notes that the program is an essential resource for preventing relocation.
Gov. Kathy Hochul’s spokeswoman, Avi Small, claimed her executive budget offers “transformative investments” to make the state safer and more affordable.
“She looks forward to continuing to work with the legislature on a final budget that meets the needs of all New Yorkers,” Small remarked.
