AFSCME / CSEA Lobby Day: Fight for a NYS Budget for Everybody

March 4, 2014-- AFSCME / CSEA held its annual Lobby Day in Albany, NY. Thousands of activists from all four corners of the state met with their legislators to deliver a simple message. We want tax fairness. 

The 2014-15 Executive Budget is disproportionately harmful to the middle class and working poor. Tax breaks for wealthy Wall Street CEO's is no way to balance a budget--- especially when NY sports the biggest income inequality quotient in the nation. It's time we have a budget that serves the interests of "everybody." 

At a time when homelessness and food insecurity is at an all-time high, while our infrastructure is crumbling around us, and our local governments are struggling to provide the necessary services residents require, New York State taxpayers should demand a budget that works for everybody in our local communities. We should not be giving wealthy corporations, Wall Street banks and Fortune 500 families hundred million dollar tax breaks at the expense of everyone else. The lost revenue will devastate public services and our quality of life.

Last time we checked, when you tax income progressively, no one dies. This budget will dismantle our social safety nets, and undoubtedly people will suffer because of Governor Cuomo's budget "priorities." We say "Everybody Everybody."