NEW YORK STATEWIDE ECUMENICAL AND INTERFAITH ADVOCACY DAYS - FEBRUARY 27 to 28, 2023 IN ALBANY
ADDRESSING THE IMMIGRATION AND HOUSING CRISIS IN NEW YORK
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 RECEPTION - MONDAY, FEBRUARY 27 6:30 TO 8:30
WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, WELLS ROOM
Join us for a reception meal at the church the night before with participants and elected officials who may drop in. 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. We are working on arrangements with a local hotel for a block of rooms for Monday night and will keep you updated.
ADVOCACY DAY - TUESDAY, FEB. 28 AT WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AND THE CAPITOL
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
9:00 Light Breakfast
9:30 Worship and Keynote Sermon
10:00 The Immigration and Housing Crisis and Pending Legislation
11:30 The Legislative Ask and Getting Ready for Afternoon Visits with Legislators
Lunch
1:00 To 4:30 Legislative Visits
REGISTER NOW FOR THE RECEPTION AND ADVOCACY DAY
The registration fee for Tuesday, February 28 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)
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
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
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.
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.
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
Economic Development, Wealth Inequality and Taxes
No Room in the Inn? A Conversation About Housing Vouchers
Criminal Incarceration System and Public Safety
Additional Resources
2023 New York State Senate Committee Chairpersons
2023 New York State Assembly Committee Chairperson
Link to the Governor's budget book for FY 2024 including highlights
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