Tariffs Mean a More Expensive Holiday Season for New Yorkers

Empire State Voices Donates $1,500 Worth of Toys and Games to Local Schools and Nonprofits Ahead of the Winter Holidays

NEW YORK — As New Yorkers begin their holiday shopping, there’s one unwanted item on everyone’s list: tariffs. With 1 in 4 U.S. households already living paycheck to paycheck, the added burden of tariffs on clothing, electronics, and other popular consumer goods is making gift-giving even more unaffordable for many New York families this year. While Congress has had multiple opportunities to block the administration’s tariff regime, New York Reps. Mike Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis have voted to defend the policies.

In an effort to help local communities shoulder increased costs, Empire State Voices donated $1,500 worth of toys and games to West Haverstraw Elementary School, the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center, and Central Family Life Center.

The added burden of tariffs on clothing, electronics, and other popular consumer goods is making gift-giving even more unaffordable for many New York families this year. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices

“Each day, our students come to class ready to learn and conquer the tasks ahead,” said Angelica Terry, Principal of West Haverstraw Elementary School. “But with the cost of living in New York skyrocketing, families here in the Hudson Valley need all the relief we can get. This donation goes a long way toward helping our students and their families enjoy the holidays without worries of high costs getting in the way.”

“Here in Tarrytown, we’ve seen a large increase in clients' needs around the holidays. This has put ourselves and other community centers in the area in crisis,” said Dorris Inzar, Director of the Tarrytown Community Opportunity Center. “Congressman Lawler needs to fight to protect the people of this district and get rid of these costly tariffs.”

“Everything costs more now—food, transportation, even basic toiletries. When you’re already choosing between rent and groceries, one unexpected expense can push you into a crisis,” said Reverend Antoinette Donegan of the Central Family Life Center. “Many people don’t realize how close they are to being unhoused themselves. One illness, one lost job, one rent increase, and suddenly stability disappears.”

While Congress has had multiple opportunities to block the administration’s tariff regime, New York Reps. Mike Lawler and Nicole Malliotakis have voted to defend the policies. | CREDIT: Empire State Voices

To learn more about Empire State Voices, please reach out to press@empirestatevoices.org

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About Empire State Voices 

Empire State Voices (ESV) is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. ESV is fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same.