Local groups rally to say "No!" to Gov. Cuomo's proposed tax cuts for wealthy

ALBANY, NY (02/22/2014)(readMedia)-- NY Inequality, a coalition of labor, faith, education and community organizations, will speak out Monday Feb. 24 at noon at the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Downtown Albany to say "No!" to Gov. Cuomo's plan to give billions of dollars in tax cut giveaways to banks and the wealthiest New Yorkers while schools and communities suffer under austerity budgets and continuing layoffs.

The event is part of a statewide pushback against bad budget priorities that will undermine people, services and communities, and widen New York's income inequality gap even further. Similar events were held last week in the Bronx, Binghamton and Rochester and others are planned for Utica and the Hudson Valley.

The groups are opposed to planned tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the rich, including a windfall for wealthy estates, a so-called property tax "freeze," and tax cuts for banks. The tax cuts will cost ordinary New Yorkers some $2 billion.

Beth Glassanos, FOCUS Coordinator of Advocacy, Outreach & Volunteerism, works hard every day in an impossible mission to stretch food pantry resources to meet the needs of the hungry in the Capital Region. Rev. Willie White, Executive Director of A Village, a non-profit serving Albany's South End, is seriously worried about the lack of funds for summer youth employment and what that will mean in his community. Also expected to speak at the event are Rev. Valerie Faust and Assembly member Patricia Fahy who will both share the concerns of parents and teachers who fear their children are no longer being provided with the education they need to succeed and CSEA Capital Region President Kathy Garrison who will address the impact of bad budget choices on communities.

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