SOMOS Uno - We Are One

As the newlyelected Speaker of the New York State Assembly, I am honored to welcome Latino leaders and activists from across the state to the Somos el Futuro 28th Annual Spring Conference, which is an opportunity to explore new ideas and make positive changes in the Latino community. 

My goal as Speaker is to focus on improving the educational, social and economic prospects of all New Yorkers. I am committed to working with my colleagues to put families first by strengthening education through our Families First Budget, building pathways to higher education, expanding affordable housing and ensuring that every New Yorker has the support they need to climb the economic ladder to success.

In our recently unveiled budget proposal, we call for a meaningful investment in our children’s future by earmarking nearly $24 billion in support of public education, the largest increase since the Great Recession. Included is $10 million in new funding for English language learners and $835 million for quality full-day pre-kindergarten. Higher education is the most direct path to greater lifetime earnings and economic success. Unfortunately, many New Yorkers cannot bear the financial burden that comes with an advanced degree. The Families First budget provides critical funding to the Higher Education Road to Success proposal which funds innovative new and existing programs to make college more affordable, including increasing support for Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards and commits more than $20 million to Opportunity Programs. These investments will go a long way to empower young men and women in our communities to pursue and achieve their goals. 

I am proud that for the third consecutive year the Assembly Majority passed the DREAM Act which would provide immigrant youth with access to TAP and the state’s educational opportunity programs, including the Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), Collegiate Science and Technology Entry Program (C-STEP) and the opportunity programs available at community colleges. 

The Assembly recognizes that the affordable housing crisis has been a significant obstacle to promoting stability for New York’s families. Last year, thousands of families who were unable to remain in their homes turned to shelters. The Families First budget provides more than $600 million for affordable housing programs, homelessness prevention and supportive housing services.

With growing numbers of New Yorkers employed in low-wage sectors, it is becoming harder than ever for working families to achieve financial stability let alone pursue paths to economic freedom. The Families First budget would raise the minimum wage to put more income into the hands of over a million workers statewide and dedicates more than $50 million to increase access to safe, reliable, quality childcare and after-school programs to support working parents.  

These proposals are a first step. I look forward to partnering with our SOMOS leaders to ensure that these priorities remain at the forefront of our legislative agenda. 

This year as we gather to reflect on our accomplishments, let us also renew our commitment to create a better New York for all of our citizens. Somos uno (we are one).