Kingston, NY – Kingston, Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha, County Executive Jen Metzger, alongside community allies and organizations, rallied in uptown Kingston yesterday morning to call for a special legislative session in Albany in response to the federal cuts.

”Last month, the Trump administration enacted a $1.1 trillion cut to healthcare, and raised the national debt by $3 trillion, all so that a $4.5 trillion tax cut that disproportionately benefits the wealthy can be funded. Left unaddressed, these cuts will devastate our healthcare system and exacerbate the state's affordability crisis,” said Assemblymember Shrestha, “It will mean dozens of hospitals closing, more than 200,000 hospital workers losing their jobs, and everyone’s healthcare costs going up, whether you’re on Medicaid or not. It will also mean localities having to increase their budgets to account for new administrative costs the Trump administration has enacted, which means higher property taxes, and a more challenging economy for everyone. However, New York State has both the power and the wealth to fill these cuts. We are one of the largest economies in the world, larger than countries like Sweden. If we reformed our personal income tax rate to be more progressive, so that those who make $20 million a year pay a higher rate than those who make $5 million a year, for example, we could raise as much as $20 billion a year. If we added a surcharge on capital gains over $500k, it would generate $12 billion per year. Right now, most of the wealthy make their money through investments, and these are money they’re earning while they sleep, without even having to work. Likewise, if we taxed large corporate profits anywhere close to what states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Delaware tax, we could raise $7 billion a year. There’s a lot New York can do, and it must begin doing these things now by calling for a special session. We can’t wait till next year. It’s not right to wait until April or May of 2026, while localities are stranded in uncertainties, and hospitals are already starting to lay off people. Additionally, we also need to go back to Albany to counter the increased havoc a newly emboldened ICE is going to create, now that it’s receiving unprecedented funding. We can pass bills like New York for All to prohibit local agencies from colluding with ICE; Dignity Not Detention to prohibit county jails from contracting with ICE to serve as their detention centers; and Access to Representation to pair those facing deportation with a lawyer to ensure they have a fair case. We are living in an extraordinary time right now, and New York needs to respond like it.”

“The Trump Budget takes resources from those who need them most and gives them to those who need them least, shredding the social safety net and shifting federal costs to local taxpayers to pay for federal tax cuts primarily benefitting corporations and the wealthy,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger, “As County Executive, I am extremely concerned about the impacts of this irresponsible federal budget on our residents, many of whom are barely able to afford the bills for basic necessities as it is. New York does not have to accept the reckless and regressive impacts of the federal budget on our communities. Instead, the Legislature and Governor can capture the multi-billion dollar windfall it provides to corporations and the wealthiest households to bolster the safety net and reduce the burden on local taxpayers. I urge state elected leaders to work now on a plan to meet the moment and counter the impacts of the Trump budget on our communities. We have a path forward that is fair to all New Yorkers."

“New York can close these funding gaps by ensuring the rich pay their fair share in taxes. It is vital that state lawmakers take action to do so. It’s unacceptable for New Yorkers to go hungry, lack access to medical care, and see essential services slashed while the wealthy continue to make record profits,” said Isaiah Fenichel, Citizen Action of New York Lead Network Organizer for the Hudson Valley

“Trump's budget scam has left a multi-billion-dollar hole in our state budget, ripping Medicaid and SNAP away from New Yorkers in need while dramatically expanding funding for ICE”, said Jenny Kutner, For the Many Communications Lead. “We can't afford any more cuts to our already threadbare social safety net. We need our state legislators to act now and call a special session to fill these massive gaps. These cuts are the fault of Trump and Congressional Republicans, but New York state legislators have a responsibility to their constituents to respond and protect us from the federal government's assault on working class people. That means returning to Albany for a special session as soon as possible to tax the millionaires, billionaires, and big corporations who are financially benefiting from our struggle. It also means passing NY for All to fight back against Trump's billions for ICE and stop state and local law enforcement from collaborating to deport New Yorkers. This can't wait until January. For the Many is proud to join Assemblymember Shrestha's call for a special session."