The New York State Budget is an expression of our state’s values and priorities - and sadly the 2019-2020 budget proposals continue to prioritize a failed status quo over the 50.5% of New Yorkers who are poor and low-income. This budget continues to under-invest in public services, maintains New York’s first-in-the-nation inequality, fails to fix our regressive state and local tax system, and continues to direct our tax dollars to for-profit companies with no accountability. On March 18, the New York Poor People’s Campaign will take action across the state, showing that the poor, activists, and faith leaders of all races and in all regions are united in demanding our state government change course and prioritize ending systemic racism, poverty, militarism and ecological devastation.

Elmira is the real national emergency!! We rank as one of the poorest cities in NY, with one of the worst school districts in the state, some of the lowest health rankings in the state, but breaking records for lead poisoning, opioid abuse, and declines in employment and economic output! We’re tired of being locked up in a system that has forgotten us!! This is why we will gather at the Chemung County Jail (211 William St., Elmira, NY 14901) for the Fight Poverty and Not the Poor Eastern Southern Tier Action on Monday, March 18th at 3:00!