Apr
10
Bringing New York and Its Workers into the 21st Century
Following in New York State’s proud tradition as a “laboratory of democracy,” the New Deal for New York proposal will build upon the state’s history as an incubator of policies that have gone on to transform living standards for the entire nation. The New Deal for New York, a new partnership between New Yorkers and their state government, will provide transformational, long-term investment in the communities where we work, live and worship with immediate relief by creating or preserving more than 100,000 jobs.
The New Deal for New York will build a 21st century economy that is forward-thinking, green, and entrepreneurial, while providing quality jobs that can support a family. It will ensure disabled and elderly New Yorkers who are unable to work are not denied affordable housing, food, healthcare and other essential needs. Through proactive, positive, and transparent government action, the New Deal for New York will provide new opportunities for all of New York’s communities, including low- and moderate- income people, people of color, and family farmers. The New Deal for New York will be paid for in part by requiring Wall Street banks, whose reckless and irresponsible behavior led to the revenue crisis, to help create jobs that move us forward.
The New Deal for New York is a national model for how states can move proactively to both address the dire situation too many of our communities now face and to set our state on the path to recovery and prosperity.
New York will never be able to find enough efficiencies to meet the state’s revenue shortfalls. Our state can surely be more efficient — and we should not shy away from identifying those spaces that provide opportunities for cost-savings — but we will never be able to make ends meet solely by pulling our belts tighter.
We can not “cut, cut , cut” our way to long-term recovery and prosperity.
New York State has proven time and again that we have the ability to advance big ideas and proactively fix our own problems, while setting a bold vision for other states to emulate. The question is: Do we have the backbone to do it again?
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The New Deal for New York is currently led by the following grassroots organizing groups:
- Community Voices Heard (CVH), in New York City, Yonkers, Newburgh and Poughkeepsie
- Niagara Organizing Alliance for Hope (NOAH), in Niagara County
- People United for Sustainable Housing (PUSH), in Buffalo
- Syracuse United Neighbors (SUN)
- VOICE-Buffalo, in Erie County
- Voices of Community Activists and Leaders (VOCAL)-NY, in New York City, Westchester and Albany