NYSCOC

The Council of Churches is preparing its 2023 legislative ask to help congregations advocate for a wide variety of state legislation which will impact their members and the communities they serve. In developing our ask, we have been conducting public policy seminars which can viewed at the links listed below.

While all the issues are important, this year, the Council will highlight from our comprehensive legislative ask two issues, immigration and housing, which will form the basis for our legislative visits on Advocacy Day. We anticipate in 2023 that an enormous focus for the governor and the legislature will be on addressing the affordable housing crisis. Moreover, with the lifting of title 42 and the influx of immigrants across the state, the issue of immigration will be front and center on the political stage.

EVENING PROGRAM AND RECEPTION - MONDAY, MARCH 20, 6:00 GATHERING, 6:30 PROGRAM BEGINS, 8:00 RECEPTION

WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 262 STATE STREET, SANCTUARY AND FELLOWSHIP HALL (Some parking available at 85 Chestnut St. parking lot)

Join us for a program and reception at the church the night before with participants and elected officials who may drop in.

Guest Preacher - The Reverend Reginald Bacchus, Senior Pastor, Mt. Ollie Baptist Church, Brownsville, Brooklyn

Some will find the reception a good place to land if they are staying in Albany on Monday night so they don't have to travel on Tuesday morning.

ADVOCACY DAY - TUESDAY, MARCH 21 AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THE CAPITOL (Parking on the street or in the Empire State Plaza parking lot)

‍TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

9:00 Gathering

9:30 Immigration Policy Ask

10:15 Housing Policy Ask

11:30 Head to the Capitol

12:00 Press Conference at the Capitol

Bag Lunch and Lobby Conversation

1:00 To 4:30 Legislative Visits

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REGISTER NOW FOR THE RECEPTION AND ADVOCACY DAY

The registration fee for Advocacy Days is $25.00 - This helps to cover costs of food and materials provided, etc.

‍(Scholarships are available upon request, contact our office - office@nyscoc.org or 518 436-9319)

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WE NEED SPONSORS FOR EIAD

Registrations help defray part of cost of the day. We also invite sponsorships. Individuals and organizations can sponsor.

$2,000 for a Platinum Level Sponsorship

$1,000 for a Gold Level Sponsorship

$500 for a Silver Level Sponsorship

$200 for a Bronze Level Sponsorship

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Our growing list of Sponsorships includes:

Congregation of Saint Joseph - Bronze Level

Daughters of Charity - Bronze Level

Sisters of Mercy of the Americas - Bronze Level

The Reverend Jim Ketcham - Bronze Level

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Advocacy Days also offers an opportunity to make one time and recurring gifts to the Council. Click here to donate.

If you have questions about timing, topics, transportation or lodging or HALT advocacy activities and hearings that week, please contact Peter Cook at 508-380-8289 or Pcook@Nyscoc.org.

Briefing papers, articles and recorded seminars will be added to website leading up to EIAD and after until the end of the legislative session. Check the EIAD box on our website at WWW.NYSCOC.ORG.

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The New York State Council of Churches has been holding Online Policy and Legislative Seminars with Theological and Anti-Racism Reflections

We continue to take an in depth look at the major issues of our time. We will bring together experts, lawmakers and activists to learn about current and pending state and Federal legislation. We will reflect on these policy areas through a theological lens while seeking to address structural racism in all of its forms. Days and times for seminars vary to allow participants scheduling flexibility.

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‍NYSCOC 2023 Immigrant Rights Priorities for New York State

NYSCOC 2023 Housing Priorities for New York State

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NYSCOC Immigration and Housing Policy Ask and Political State of Play

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Here are the recorded seminars as part of our policy series to date -

Buffalo Community Conversation in Wake of 5-14 TOPS Shooting

Seminar on Voting Justice, Democracy, and Christian Nationalism

Seminar on Climate and Environmental Justice

Seminar on the Ecumenical Movement and the World Council of Churches

Seminar on Health Care

Economic Development, Wealth Inequality and Taxes

Seminar on Affordable Housing

No Room in the Inn? A Conversation About Housing Vouchers

Criminal Incarceration System and Public Safety

Immigration Webinar

Labor and Wages Webinar

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Additional Resources

Pre-Development Housing for Faith-Based Organizations Power Point

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2023 New York State Senate Committee Chairpersons

2023 New York State Assembly Committee Chairperson

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Link to the Governor's budget book for FY 2024 including highlights

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As part of the legislative budget process, the Assembly and Senate host joint budget hearings across a number of different issue areas - at these hearings, agency heads, experts and other stakeholders testify and submit written testimony. The budget hearing schedule for 2023 is below.

February 6, Monday at 11:30 AM Transportation Assembly‍

February 7, Tuesday at 9:30 AM Public Protection Senate

‍February 8, Wednesday at 9:30 AM Elementary & Secondary Education Assembly

‍February 9, Thursday at 9:30 AM Economic Dev./Arts Senate

February 9, Thursday at 2:00 PM Taxes Assembly

‍February 13, Monday at 11:30 AM Human Services Assembly

‍February 14,Tuesday at 9:30 AM Environmental Conservation Senate

‍February 15, Wednesday9:30 AM Local/General Government Assembly

‍February 16,Thursday at 9:30 AM Mental Hygiene Senate

‍February 27, Monday at 11:30 AM Higher Education Assembly

‍February 28, Tuesday at 9:30 AM Health Senate

‍March 1, Wednesday at 9:30 AM Housing Assembly‍

March 1, Wednesday at 2:00 PM Workforce Dev./Labor Senate

Join Us!

Selected Events & Action

2023 New York State Ecumenical and Interfaith Advocacy Days - Read our Legislative Asks and much more!

Details:

Criminal Justice Reform Forum, March 28, 2023

Event Summary

Contact Info

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