Buying a home is more expensive than ever before – and more renters than ever are feeling the burden of rising rent prices across the United States. Nationally, the cost of housing has risen 50% more than household income over the last 20 years, and nearly 45% of renters are cost-burdened (spending over 30% of their income on housing). Housing unaffordability and shortages have been felt the most by low and middle-income families. President Biden’s proposed budget would bring much-needed relief.

ITHACA, NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices (ESV) joined students at Cornell University for a conversation examining the intersection of race, gender, and economic stability in New York state. Students in Dr. Riché Richardson's Introduction to Africana Studies course engaged in a lively discussion about the access to prosperity (or lack thereof) afforded to women and people of color and the responsibility that government has to create an environment where all have the opportunity to excel.

VERONA, NEW YORK — Yesterday, as President Biden visited Syracuse to tout a $6 billion investment in the area, Empire State Voices and Indivisible Mohawk Valley greeted Congressman Brandon Williams with protestors and a mobile billboard truck outside his town hall event in Verona, his first open-forum event in nearly a year.

SAUGERTIES, NEW YORK — Today, Empire State Voices unveiled a mobile billboard truck outside Congressman Marc Molinaro’s breakfast with the Ulster County Regional Chamber of Commerce in Saugerties. While Rep. Molinaro attempted to pitch his record to small business leaders over coffee and bagels, the truck parked outside reminded attendees of the freshman Representative’s relentless support for large corporate tax breaks during his short tenure in Congress.

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK — Today, a large coalition of environmental, community, and progressive groups held an Earth Day rally in Garden City to expose Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s disastrous record on climate and safe water. Groups slammed the first-term Congressman for his voting record and positions on fossil fuels, offshore wind, and clean water legislation.

NEW YORK — Today, April 15th, millions of New Yorkers will file their 2023 taxes ahead of the midnight deadline. Despite recent positive economic trends, many New Yorkers are still feeling the squeeze of high prices. While empty promises from Washington are a dime a dozen, recent attempts by House Republicans to give tax relief to corporations and protect ultra-wealthy tax cheats make this year’s platitudes particularly hard to swallow.

NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices and Economic Security Project hosted New Yorkers across the state for a virtual presentation on the new IRS Direct File pilot. IRS Representative Bridget Roberts, who leads the Direct File Service team, gave an in-depth demonstration of the new filing tool, took questions from attendees, and elaborated on the goals of this exciting new program.

NASSAU COUNTY, NEW YORK — Today, Empire State Voices launched a new ad in the Nassau County media market as part of its seven-figure paid media effort in New York’s 4th Congressional District. “Stay Here” is the fourth in a series of ads aimed at holding Rep. Anthony D’Esposito accountable for voting against the interests of working people and educating constituents on the Congressman’s record.

NEW YORK — Today, March 23rd, 2024, marks 14 years since President Obama signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. Thanks to the ACA, millions of Americans have been able to access affordable healthcare coverage that would have otherwise been out of reach.

NEW YORK — Today, after six months of Republican infighting, the House of Representatives finally passed the last of the appropriations bills needed to fund the government for the 2024 fiscal year.

GARDEN CITY, NEW YORK — Today, Empire State Voices and Make the Road Action were joined by local advocacy groups and Nassau County residents for a press conference outside Congressman Anthony D’Esposito’s district office. The groups called on the NY-04 representative to oppose ongoing Republican efforts to slash funding for programs Long Island families rely on, from the Social Security Administration to K-12 education and childcare assistance.

UPSTATE NEW YORK — Shortly after President Biden released his proposed budget, laying out his priorities for fiscal year 2025, Congressman Marc Molinaro rushed to social media to voice his knee-jerk opposition to the plan.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK — Last night, local residents joined Empire State Voices and Citizen Action of New York for a State of the Union watch party in Binghamton. Between snacks, drinks, and a rowdy game of State of the Union Bingo, attendees discussed President Biden’s speech, the current “State of the District,” and the legislative priorities they want to see their representative in Congress fight for over the coming year.

ROCKVILLE CENTRE, NEW YORK — Last night, Long Island residents from across Nassau County joined Empire State Voices for a State of the Union watch party in Rockville Centre. Between snacks, drinks, and a rowdy game of State of the Union Bingo, attendees discussed President Biden’s speech, the current “State of Long Island,” and the legislative priorities they want to see their representative in Congress fight for over the coming year.

CENTRAL NEW YORK — As President Biden gave his State of the Union address last night, Central New Yorkers scanned brief shots of the crowd for any sign of Congressman Brandon Williams, who has been notably absent from the district in recent months. While Biden recounted his record of legislative successes and laid out a vision for further progress, residents of New York’s 22nd Congressional District were left wondering whether they would be left to fend for themselves for yet another year.

NEW YORK — Today, after months of Republican infighting over proposed spending cuts, the House of Representatives was finally able to pass the first package of government funding bills for the 2024 fiscal year, which began last October.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK — Today, Empire State Voices launched a new ad in the Binghamton media market as part of its seven-figure paid media effort in New York’s 19th Congressional District. “Serve” is the eighth in a series of ads aimed at holding Rep. Marc Molinaro accountable for voting against the interests of working people and educating constituents on the Congressman’s record.

CENTRAL NEW YORK — Earlier today, the Post-Standard released blockbuster investigative reporting exposing Brandon Williams as an absentee Congressman who “has not passed any legislation of consequence for his district.”

ELMONT, NEW YORK — Yesterday, Empire State Voices and Economic Security Project hosted a forum on the intersection of race and economics on Long Island. Local residents gathered at Le Spot Cafe in Elmont, NY, for an evening of food, drinks, and conversation around the economic policies that most acutely affect the Black community, where progress has been made, and where there remains important work to be done.

BINGHAMTON, NEW YORK — Today, Empire State Voices (ESV) unveiled a mobile billboard truck outside a high-dollar fundraiser held by Congressman Marc Molinaro and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson in Binghamton. The billboard demands that Rep. Molinaro oppose a Republican bill that seeks to claw back more than $25 billion in IRS funding, hamstringing the agency’s ability to go after wealthy tax cheats.