The proposed New York State Budget includes numerous devastating cuts to state services, including those used by the state’s most vulnerable people; deep cuts to aid for local governments and increased costs for retirees.
And those cuts are directly tied to how much federal aid New York receives.
The proposed budget is predicated on how much funding New York receives to help offset the huge deficit gaps in state and local government coffers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Since the pandemic began last year, CSEA has been fighting for unrestricted federal aid to avoid devastating cuts to public services at a time when New Yorkers are relying on them more than ever. Unfortunately, with several stimulus bills already passed by Congress that left out that needed aid, hope is dwindling that it can continue to be kicked down the road.
“This is our last shot at needed aid that has eluded states and local governments in previous COVID packages,” CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan said. “If we don’t get this aid in the next stimulus bill, we won’t get another chance. We will see devastating cuts to public jobs and services, including many provided by CSEA members.”
While COVID relief packages have previously been passed to help individuals and businesses, the aid has not included relief for states and local governments.
Many public jobs such as those held by CSEA members are funded not only by their own employer, but by state and federal funding. With a budget gap, many of these jobs will not be able to be funded, which causes service — and job — cuts. We need federal aid to fill in these gaps. New York’s governor has asked for $15 billion.
As this edition went to press, the U.S. House of Representatives was seeking to hold a vote on President Joe Biden’s American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion COVID relief plan which proposes $12 billion in funding for New York, as well as hundreds of millions of dollars directly targeted to communities throughout the state. The plan also contains direct payments to eligible families, extends paid family leave and unemployment benefits, and has $170 billion in funding to reopen schools.
CSEA is pressuring Congress to pass this COVID relief package that includes aid for New York state and local governments to protect services and jobs.
We need CSEA members to tell U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, along with your congressional representative, to support and deliver this aid, and we’re making it easier than ever. Text “Last Shot” to 877877. Follow the prompts including providing your name and address to match you directly with your representative. Then reply in your own words or use the recommended response. Share with co-workers, family and friends. This needed aid impacts us all!
You can also visit CSEA’s new Legislative Action Center page at https://cseany.org/issues for the latest information, including graphics to share on social media and a presentation produced by our Legislative and Political Action Department that further explains the link between the work we do and the federal aid we need.
