As the budget deadline nears . . .

On Monday, I got to join Rev. Peter Cook, Executive Director of the New York State Council of Churches, and representatives of various faith communities for one of a series of Zoom meetings to lobby our state legislators ahead of the budget deadline this Friday. As the deadline draws closer, the Council is working diligently to ensure its legislative priorities are presented to the Governor and legislators.

These meetings follow the Council’s Virtual Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Day in February, an annual event that draws people from across the state. To my mind, it is one of the most informative and effective advocacy events for people of faith in New York. That may be one reason why Governor Kathy Hochul was willing to address the group.

Among the issues of concern to the Council are criminal justice reform, gun violence prevention, economic development, affordable housing, education, wages, our children, environmental justice, health care, immigration, labor rights and voting rights.

A detailed list of their “Legislative Asks” is here. These include some of the best explanations of specific legislation that you are probably going to find this year.

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