As the state budget and legislative season kicks off, the senate’s Independent Democratic Conference (IDC) last week today released its budget agenda that includes a subway rider relief plan and creating a revenue stream through city sales tax to fix the crumbling subway system.
Dubbed the “One New Yorker” the agenda covers eight areas — election reform, children, students, families, workers rights, uplifting communities, keeping citizens healthy and helping immigrants.
The IDC includes four senators in the KCP and QCP coverage area including Diane Savino (D-Coney Island, Sunset Park, Staten Island) and Jesse Hamilton (D-Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Garden, Flatbush Brownsville, Park Slope, Gowanus, Sunset Park) in Brooklyn; and Jose Peralta (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights and Woodside) and Tony Avella (D-College Point, Whitestone, Bayside, Little Neck, Douglaston, Floral Park, Beechhurst, Malba, Auburndale) in Queens.
“Our ‘One New Yorker’ plan sets out to achieve a common agenda for everyone: creating a better New York and quality of life for all. This budget agenda will help the constituents of all Senators, from every corner of this great state with a great opportunity to make New York a more inclusive, affordable, and prosperous place to live,” said Savino.
In regards to fixing the subway, the IDC put forth a Rider Relief Plan, which would fund Phase 1 of the MTA’s emergency repair plan by supporting the MTA’s effort to pay their half and advocating for the city to pay their half by diverting a portion of the $7 billion in sales tax revenue the City earns each year.
The IDC also proposes installing speed cameras in every school zone — public, private, parochial, and charter. This program is meant to deter vehicles from speeding, and fines would be dedicated back into mass transit.
First, the IDC would advocate to freeze the fare for all riders, next to support and implement the already proposed Fair Fares program to offer discounted MetroCards to individuals whose earnings are under the Federal Poverty Level; and lastly, we would advocate to cut the $6.50 Express Bus fare by up to half.
“Our commitment to improving the lives, opportunities, and communities of our fellow New Yorkers no matter their backgrounds or ambitions shines through in the ‘One New Yorker’ agenda. It is clear, this session the IDC will invest in the people of our state in ways that most others would not in order to create real, progressive change for our future,” said Avella.
The IDC is also renewing their call for an independent monitor to oversee the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) and its’ over 400,000 tenants. The senate has twice passed a measure for a monitor, but both times the Democratic majority assembly shot it down.
This session, however, there might be more pressure on the assembly to pass the measure in light of the recent lead paint scandal, and thousands of residents recently losing their heat.
“This ‘One New Yorker’ Budget Agenda furthers meaningful change and I am proud to stand with my colleagues in support of everyday New Yorkers. Parents immigrants, straphangers, neighbors, the experiences of all New Yorkers inform this One New Yorker Agenda reflecting the thoughtful, inclusive policy our communities need,” said Hamilton.
Other measure include instituting several reforms to strengthen voter turnout including an early voting program, whereupon voters can cast their vote 14 days early ending on the Friday before Election Day; several measures to help immigrants and workers, and counters to the new federal tax reform bill that cuts deductions for any state taxes that exceed $10,000.
Despite the measure put forth with a large degree of optimism, state lawmakers face several challenges this year besides the federal tax reform measure, as the state also has a reported $4 billion budget deficit and little room to make up for it with another tax hike.
“As we are facing a critical moment in our city and in our state, it is vital that we keep on delivering to those affected the most by Washington. As the new legislative session is about to begin, my colleagues and I will fight tirelessly to enact my DREAM Act, to pass women’s rights legislation, to protect tenants and immigrants, and to ensure we have a stronger and solid hard-working class,” said Peralta.
