Families First

Economic Security

Helping all families achieve economic security leads to stronger communities and a stronger New York State. Higher wages, much-need tax relief and funding for fundamental programs would help all families move toward to a brighter future. No New Yorker deserves to be left behind.

The NYS Assembly would encourage economic security by:
  • Increasing the minimum wage
  • Lowering taxes for homeowners and renters
  • Preserving vital family programs and services
  • Expanding access to affordable housing
  • Safeguarding consumer’s rights

News
Earlier this year, my Assembly colleagues and I renewed our long-standing commitment to putting the needs of working families first. Here in New York State, women make up approximately half the workforce and are an integral part of our communities. That is why the fight for women's rights is not just a women's issue: discrimination in the workplace, domestic violence and unfair pay practices are problems that hurt our economy and affect us...
October 21, 2015
Earlier this year, as part of our commitment to put the needs of families first, the Assembly Majority passed a comprehensive proposal that would lift the minimum wage across all sectors. Today's action by the state Labor Commissioner will greatly improve the lives of thousands of fast food workers in New York, and I am glad that Governor Cuomo is joining the Assembly in our fight for a substantial increase in the statewide minimum wage for all...
September 10, 2015
Today, in recommending a raise in the minimum wage for workers in the fast food industry, the Wage Board has taken the first of many steps that are needed to address the struggles facing New York's working poor. There is no question that these men and women go to work each day and struggle to support themselves and their families with hours that are often inconsistent and wages that are far from sufficient. As longstanding supporters of a...
July 22, 2015
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and the Chair of the Committee on Aging Steven Cymbrowitz announced the passage of several measures to strengthen the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) and Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) programs that preserve affordable housing for senior citizens and persons with disabilities. "These programs have helped many New York seniors and persons with disabilities remain in their homes," said...
June 24, 2015
Governor Cuomo took a step in the right direction announcing a plan to the raise minimum wage for fast-food workers, who comprise much of the minimum-wage workforce. As he says, fast-food workers 'deserve a raise.' So do all minimum wage-earners in New York State. On Monday, the Assembly once again passed legislation to raise the minimum wage. This legislation would provide for an increase to $10.50 per hour and it would create a minimum wage ...
May 7, 2015
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and members of the Assembly Majority today announced the passage of a legislative package to assist women and working families, continuing the Assembly's commitment to New York families. "The Assembly has a long history of fighting for women and working families, and today's legislation continues that legacy," said Speaker Heastie. "Women make up approximately half the workforce, and women and working mothers are ...
May 5, 2015
With the goal of leveling the playing field in the workplace, Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Michelle Titus today announced the Assembly's intent to pass a series of bills that will eliminate obstacles to pay equity for women and minorities throughout the state of New York. "The pay equity gap is a result of a systematic devaluing of women and minorities in the work place. We need to ensure equal pay for equal work. By paving...
April 27, 2015
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Housing Committee Chair Keith L.T. Wright and Social Services Committee Chair Andrew Hevesi today announced the Assembly's Families First budget proposal commits more than $645 million for housing rehabilitation and community development programs, as well as services to prevent homelessness to ensure that all New Yorkers have a place to call home. These programs will provide access to safe, quality and affordable...
March 13, 2015
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Labor Committee Chair Michele Titus today announced that the Assembly budget proposal will build on the Assembly Majority's commitment to put families first by gradually raising the state's minimum wage over the next three years to $12.60 an hour by 2018 and index it to inflation. Under the proposal, the state's minimum wage would increase to $10.50 an hour on December 31, 2016 then to $12.60 an hour on...
March 12, 2015

Video