(ALBANY, NEW YORK) - The New York State AFL-CIO, which is joining with its Union affiliates to end State policies that perpetuate and institutionalize poverty, has released its 2024 Legislative Agenda.

The State Labor Federation says that for decades, New York’s decision-making process and resulting policies in health care, education, housing, taxation, transportation, economic development and many other areas have yielded profits and tax incentives for investors and developers while too many communities and individuals are left behind.

Glaring disparities have existed for decades between wealthy and poor communities.

Unfortunately, these disparities continue to worsen while basic needs like food security and housing go unmet.

Unfortunately, the State’s policies too often exacerbate these problems instead of helping.

The New York State AFL-CIO has already begun this fight by supporting a just transition in our State’s energy infrastructure so that all communities benefit, and so that both Working Families and investors see the rewards.

This has included putting all stakeholders at the table as decisions are made, establishing strong Labor Standards and ensuring there is fairness in siting, development, and access to clean energy.

We must apply these same standards to other critical policy areas.

Key among them are the establishment of strong Labor Standards in all State and local economic development programs, starting with a robust, statewide housing program.

We must establish fairness in taxation and spending formulas so that the burden of paying for public services is shared fairly and all communities will benefit.

And we must work together to ensure access to health care, food security, educational opportunities and Social and Economic Justice.

Within its Legislative Agenda, the New York State AFL-CIO lists - among other: Reduce Child Poverty; Create a Housing Policy that Works for All New Yorkers; Strengthen Medicaid; Require IDAs and LDCs to Raise Living Standards in Local Communities; Reinvest in NY Healthcare Act; Establish Universal Health Insurance Coverage in New York and Require All Employers to Pay Their Fair Share; Tier 6 Pension Reform; and Childcare Funding and Access.

To Directly Access The New York State AFL-CIO’s 2024 Legislative Agenda, Go To: Legislative_Agenda_2024_-_FINAL_1.pdf (actionnetwork.org)