CPC Statement on the NYS FY21-22 Enacted Budget

Apr

Date: 4/8/2021

Press Contacts: Carlyn Cowen, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer (ccowen@cpc-nyc.org) | 919-637-6866

CPC STATEMENT ON THE NYS FY 21-22 ENACTED BUDGET

CPC applauds a budget that delivers on critical needs for Asian American & Pacific Islanders, communities of color, immigrants, low-income New Yorkers, and highlights the need for even further investment for a just recovery.

New York, NY – The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) applauds the passage of a $212 billion budget that represents a critical start towards a just recovery for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, communities of color, immigrants, and low-income New Yorkers.

This budget includes urgently needed supports for the most marginalized New Yorkers. It included $13 million in emergency funding to support Asian American community-based organizations and data disaggregation in the face of increased anti-Asian violence and devastating impacts of COVID-19. It also included a $2.1 billion fund for workers excluded from federal and state relief, expanded and more accessible rent relief, sorely needed funding for both pre-K and K-12 education, and for critical social services and immigrant services. It included a landmark increase in taxes on the ultra-wealthy to raise much needed revenues to fund New York’s recovery.

“The Asian American community has been devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic, from high mortality rates to a 6900% increase in unemployment, to the rise in anti-Asian violence. We are pleased to see a budget that raises desperately needed revenue to fund critical social services, Asian American community based organizations, and relief for tenants and excluded workers. However, the harmful impacts of years of austerity on our communities were only exacerbated by the pandemic, and we must go even further to ensure a just recovery for all New Yorkers,” said Wayne Ho, President & CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC).

CPC’s 60,000 community members have been hit hard by the pandemic, with 70% losing jobs or income, as social services have struggled to meet growing community needs with less funding. CPC will continue to advocate for a budget that not only meets the most urgent needs, but prioritizes the needs of the most marginalized above all.

Below is a short summary of the wins and shortcomings for Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders, communities of color, immigrants, and low-income New Yorkers.

Wins:

Established first-of-its-kind $13 million AAPI Emergency Fund to which $10 million will be allocated to community-based organizations to address the rise in anti-Asian hate and the impacts of COVID-19 on the AAPI community, and $3 million will be allocated to implementing data disaggregation, an effort lead by the New York State APA Taskforce, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, Sakhi for South Asian Women, KAFSC, Womankind, and CPC.
Established a landmark $2.1 billion Excluded Workers Fund which will provide financial assistance to undocumented workers who have been left out of federal aid.
Included $2.4 billion Emergency Rental Assistance that will provide rent relief to those who have been impacted by the pandemic regardless of immigration status.
Fully funded Foundation Aid over the next three years, ensuring quality and equitable education for Black, Brown, and low-income communities all across New York’s public schools.
Increased top tax margins on the ultra-wealthy which will raise over $4 billion in new revenue that can be invested in vital areas like the human service sector.
Fully restored the 62-38 open ended funding for child welfare preventive services (OCFS)
Included a 1% cost of living adjustments for nonprofit direct care (OPWDD) and human services (OCFS) workers
Fully restored OPWDD budget cuts to services for individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD)
Included a $16.4 million reinvestment in the Liberty Defense Project and the Office for New Americans
Included a $7.8 million reinvestment in adult literacy education

Shortcomings:

While we are thrilled that the Excluded Workers Fund was established, the conditions to qualify for full aid is dependent on documentation which many undocumented workers don’t have, and formerly incarcerated New Yorkers are not included.
The budget failed to include Fair Pay for Home Care, a urgently needed increase in wages for home care workers.
The budget included $2.3 billion in federal rent relief funds and $100 million in additional state money. However, the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP) and Housing our Neighbors with Dignity Act (HONDA) which both address homelessness were excluded.
With regards to the increases on high earners in NY, the budget raised less than a tenth of the $50 billion in progressive taxation proposed by the Invest in Our New York Coalition.
The budget extended a cap on Medicaid spending.
The budget failed to include the Statutory Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) or hazard pay for all essential human services workers.

ABOUT CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is a social services organization that creates positive social change. Founded in 1965, CPC is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization and aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City. CPC is the trusted partner to individuals and families striving to achieve goals in their education, family, community, and career.

關於華策會
華人策劃協會（簡稱“華策會”）是一個致力於創造正向社會變革的社會服務機構。華策會成立於1965年，是美國最大的亞裔美國人社會服務機構，旨在促進紐約市華裔美國人，移民，及低收入社區的社會權益和經濟賦權。華策會是為實現其教育，家庭，社區及職業目標而努力的個人和家庭可信賴的機構。