@jonathanhepp.bsky.social
Deputy Communications Director for Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins + NY Senate Dem Majority. Former Majority Leader of the Ulster County Legislature. Rep. Rangel, Obama '12 & Sen. Gipson Alum. Avid fisherman + hopeful Mets + Knicks fan (+ a normal Jets fan)
"This is the moment in history that we will look back on and say, 'Where were you when? Where were you when we were watching dictators take over?'"
@ariberman.bsky.social reports from New Paltz, NY where State Senator (D) Michelle Hinchey speaks.
Leader @leaderasc.bsky.social + @nysendems.bsky.social speak with press about today’s package of legislation to safeguard + aid survivors of domestic violence in New York.
“The @nysendems.bsky.social budget is a fiscal battle plan to protect NYs from federal cuts while investing in the needs of everyday families. We prioritize affordability, economic opportunity & fairness to ensure NY remains a leader in smart governance & economic justice.”- @leaderasc.bsky.social
"Our 2025 one-house budget is a targeted plan to meet these challenges head on and invest in a stronger future for our state."
This is the tough issue your New York GOP Federal Rep on Ways & Means is tackling while New Yorkers are having costs skyrocket thanks to GOP Tarif Taxes (20k more for a pickup truck!), massive looming Medicaid cuts & economists of all political strips warning of a recession.
“This legislative package cracks down on bad actors who take advantage of workers with little consequence ... it’s another way we can stand up and protect the working people of Westchester County and across New York State.” – via The River Journal
riverjournalonline.com/around-town/...
While Americans' retirement funds, college savings, and the economy are crashing - and economists across the political spectrum warn of a looming recession - Trump is focused on billionaire Elon Musk, whose companies receive $8 million a day in federal funding, selling more cars.
Need a new pickup truck for work, your business, or the farm? Thanks to Trump/Musk economic policies & reckless trade wars, fully backed by the New York GOP and NY Senate GOP, prices have surged by $20,000! Even Fox Business can’t hide the damage to working people & the economy.
It was a pleasure to speak at the Planned Parenthood Reproductive Rights Rally this morning at the State Capitol in the Legislative Office Building. There is an army in this capitol fighting with and for you! We are not going back. There is "no freedom without access." #StandWithPP
Meanwhile, the ultra-wealthy ($743K+) get $62,000 tax breaks, while working people get nothing and still pay the same.
Musk, Trump & the GOP aren’t cutting programs to “help” New York taxpayers by any means, they’re lining the ultra-wealthiest pockets on our dime.
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🧵GOP budget is a disaster for working NYers:
$2 trillion in cuts to Medicaid & SNAP ripping healthcare & food assistance from millions
$4.5 trillion in tax breaks-handouts for billionaires & big corporations
Looming cuts to education, infrastructure & essential services
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Posted this on X as well earlier … X has now “locked” my account.
NY Republicans scream that "Democrats made NY unaffordable!" but their GOP fed budget taxes a $50K worker at 15-17% federally while Dem-led NY only taxes them 5.5% at the state level. More than 2x the rate & guts services taxpayers rely on. Hypocrisy that hurts real people in NY.
NY Sen @leaderasc.bsky.social w @nysendems.bsky.social Sens @bradhoylmansigal.bsky.social @jamesskoufis.bsky.social @zellnor.bsky.social & Nathalia Fernandez speak w/press about legislation passing today to lower costs in NY & ensure greater transparency in pricing across essential goods & services
Yet another chilling consequence of Republican leadership. Meanwhile, the New York GOP and NY Senate GOP are celebrating as the Musk/Trump White House recklessly puts New Yorkers' lives at risk. A month in, we are far past irresponsible—it's downright dangerous.
New York State Senate Leader @leaderasc.bsky.social joined by #HigherEducation Chair Toby Stavisky, Sen. Jackson, Sen. Liu and @agounardes.bsky.social to highlight @nysendems.bsky.social legislation passing today to make higher education more affordable and accessible for all New Yorkers.
Republicans would rather New York families be burdened $65k a household than have ultra-wealthy corporations pay for the pollution they produce. #climatechange
New York State Senate Leader @leaderasc.bsky.social joined by Housing Chair Brian Kavanagh & Sen. Cooney to speak with press on #affordablehousing & #Homeowner affordability initiatives passing the NY State Senate today.
Since 2008 USAID programs have helped save 4.6 million children & 200,000 women, not including the 10s of millions of children it helps feed annually. Yet NY Republicans continue to either coward in in silence or cheer the Musk/Trump Administration's actions.
Still silence from New York State Senate Republicans as their party’s nationalist power grab locks out service providers from helping hungry kids, veterans, seniors & farmers. Almost makes you forget they’re still taking $12B more per year from NYers in federal taxes thanks to Trump’s tax policies.
Stephen Miller's face will be immortalized in history, which is unfortunate, but I'm certain history will associate his face with those of the most evil of men whose own pathetic insecurities harmed countless of lives.
Republicans locking NY out of Medicaid system is a huge problem. Est 46% of births in NY are covered by Medicaid—that's est 283 babies born daily relying on it. This critical system can't afford disruptions for families. Silence from "pro-life" NY Senate GOP who endorsed these actions.
"This package includes legislation that will demand transparency and rate setting processes ... there are also measures to expand flexible payment plans and provide more options for families to manage their bills." - @leaderasc.bsky.social
www.news10.com/news/state-s...
Reminder: NY workers and Organized Labor
This is also the agenda that the NY Senate GOP endorsed and said would be best for us and New York.
Affordability on the agenda today in the NYS Senate! The Democratic Majority is passing a package of bills to lower utility rates and make billing more predictable and transparent.
Trump's latest EO threatens crucial programs for New Yorkers like food assistance for families to feed their kids. NYS Senate GOP supports letting NY kids & families go hungry because their leader in DC calls helping people not starve: "social engineering policies." Very horrific times.
While Trump + GOP are trying to rename bodies of water & strip away food assistance for families, the NY Senate Dems are taking quick action to make utilities more affordable & protect ratepayers from these massive corporations:
📺 www.news10.com/news/state-s...
"[Our legislative] package prioritizes affordability by introducing measures to curb the rising costs of utilities and expand flexible payment plan options, increases transparency for consumers, and modernizes outdated processes."
New York State Senate Leader @leaderasc.bsky.social & NY Senate Dem Majority Senators Kevin Parker, Shelley Mayer, Michelle Hinchey, @sengonzalezny.bsky.social & Chris Ryan speak w/press about their package of bills passing the State Senate today to lower utility costs & protect NY ratepayers ⚡
