CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org

VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO ONE HOUSE BUDGETS; CALL ON ASSEMBLY TO FOLLOW SENATE’S LEAD AND CENTER MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS

NEW YORK — Today, in response to the release of one-house budgets by the New York State Senate and Assembly, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Reginald Thomas Brown, VOCAL-NY Leader and Board Chair:

“In the midst of record homelessness, an unconscionable overdose crisis, and a myriad of ongoing intersecting issues, New Yorkers are met with fear-based rhetoric and policies from Governor Hochul that resemble a playbook from the 1990s. This does not work, nor will it make New York State safer, healthy, or whole.

Health-based strategies like drug checking and Overdose Prevention Centers, as well as the Housing Access Voucher Program and Statewide HIV Rental Assistance, are proven strategies that will save lives. Instead of governing from sensationalized headlines and myths, both houses have recognized that increased penalties and criminalizing poverty is a failed tactic. 

The People’s House and the Senate must lead negotiations with facts and policies that will fund the immediate needs of the most marginalized New Yorkers to ensure our state is rooted in justice and compassion. This is the leadership New Yorkers are asking for.”

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