Issues

Bringing New York’s economic development practices out of the shadows.

Far too often we see corporate handouts and greed dominate, while the average tax payer hasn’t gotten a break in their lifetime. It can’t continue. Our economic development in New York needs greater transparency and citizens oversight.

We propose the following as first steps to address this issue:

• An overhaul on Industrial Development Agencies (IDA) public hearing and transparency practices.
- Propose legislation mandating multiple public hearings on projects set to impact communities.
- Require IDA’s statewide to hold evening meetings times for public hearings.
- Require economic organizations that receive public/tax payer money and in turn allocate those monies towards salary for individuals to disclose said salary publicly.

• Narrow the scope of business/topics that can be conducted in executive session by Industrial Development Agencies.
- Propose legislation limiting Industrial Development Agencies ability to conduct business in executive session, behind closed doors, off the record.
- Require readouts be made available to the public after executive sessions.
• Stricter job creation requirements to obtain Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreements.
- Place stricter requirements for job creation on developers/businesses in order to receive PILOT agreements.
- Narrow the scope of projects eligible for PILOT agreements over 15 years and institute harsher penalties, including loss of tax breaks and repayment of taxes, if business/development does not meet its agreed upon commitments.
- Require developers/businesses receiving to PILOT(s) to source any materials required for the project locally by a ratio of 70/30.

A historic investment in social services and our children

Children are suffering in our communities, in both Oswego and Onondaga counties, without the proper solutions coming from Albany. We need an historic state investment in social services to better protect our children and to support our frontline workers who work this population.

We propose the following as first steps to address this issue:

• Pass “Jordan's Law” and give Child Protective Service caseworkers the support that they need.
* Jordan Brooks, 17, died from sepsis and malnutrition in Oswego County May 2021.

- We are proposing the following: a hard cap at 15 cases per CPS caseworker in New York state. A requirement that the state cover the cost of labor to obtain that threshold.
- An increase in New York State reimbursement for CPS positions from 62% to 75%, a 13% increase.
- The creation of a New York State task force to solve hiring and retention issues with CPS employees in New York state, including finding proper solutions for compensation and CPS statewide training issues.

• A renewed investment into child poverty/homelessness in Oswego and Onondaga Counties.
- Pass a universal free breakfast and lunch in all New York State public schools.
- Increase funding of Governor Hochul’s childhood poverty initiative from 50 million to 150 million in state funding.
- Widen the scope of Governor Hochul’s childhood poverty initiative to include rural areas with high concentrated childhood poverty.

Investment in the future of education in New York

Far too often we see New York State attempt to balance its budget on the back of students and educators. Our schools remain the anchor of our communities and should be treated as so, fully funded, with educators and students supported.

We propose the following as steps to address this issue:

• Fully fund Foundation Aid in New York State.
- Governors Hochul’s 2024 executive budget calls for over $400 million in cuts in public school aid. This is a major step backwards for education in New York State, we propose the full funding of foundation aid for our public schools.

• Repealing New York State receivership law
- We propose repealing New York State receivership law which puts undue burden on public schools, educators and students. The current receivership law is antiquated and hinders public schools from growth and teacher retention.

• Expand the Empire State Teacher Residency Program
- We propose expanding funding for the successful Empire State Teacher Residency Program by 25% to incentivize more candidates to the teaching profession, with a stronger focus on rural districts.

Guaranteeing rights to our most vulnerable groups.

In the wake of the Supreme Court dismantling case law in the Dobbs decision, state legislatures across the nation are curtailing key rights that women have fought long and hard to gain and keep, including the right of choice to an abortion. New York, in November, will be voting on the Equal Rights Amendment, an amendment to our state constitution which would guarantee our citizens the right to have an abortion, as well as prevent discrimination on the basis of sex and gender identity. Our campaign wholeheartedly believes in the NYERA, and is committed to its passage.