[ THEME MUSIC ] WELCOME TO THIS WEEK'S EDITION OF "NEW YORK NOW."

I'M SHANTEL DESTRA.

THIS WEEK, GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL DELIVERED HER 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS COMPLETE WITH HER VISION AND FRAMEWORK FOR THE YEAR.

THE GOVERNOR WAS JOINED BY LEGISLATIVE LEADERS, ELECTED OFFICIALS AND POLITICAL STAKEHOLDERS FOR THE ADDRESS INSIDE THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBER.

[ APPLAUSE ] THANK YOU AND GOOD AFTERNOON.

IT'S AN HONOR TO BE BACK WITH YOU IN THIS HALLOWED CHAMBER, A PLACE WHERE SINCE 1879 CIVIC-MINDED NEW YORKERS WRESTLED WITH EVERYTHING FROM THE GREAT DEPRESSION TO WORLD WARS TO THE EVERYDAY ISSUES THAT MATTER MOST TO THE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE WHO CALL NEW YORK OUR HOME.

GENERATIONS OF PAST LEADERS SHARED THE SOLEMN RESPONSIBILITY OF REPRESENTING THEIR CITIZENS, AND I'M HONORED TO BE JOINED BY THE LEADERS OF TODAY.

THE SPEECH, ITSELF, WAS LARGELY FOCUSED ON CRIME, HEALTH AND PROTECTING CONSUMERS.

ON CRIME, THE GOVERNOR SHARED PLANS TO EXPAND THE DEFINITION OF HATE CRIME, ADDRESS RETAIL THEFT AND COMBAT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE.

BUILDING ON HER MENTAL HEALTH PLAN FROM LAST YEAR, HOCHUL ALSO PLANS TO FOCUS ON YOUTH MENTAL HEALTH AND TACKLE THE ISSUE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

THE GOVERNOR ALSO FOCUSED ON MATERNAL HEALTH AND SAYS SHE WAS COMMITTED TO IMPROVING THE HEALTH WORKFORCE AND OUTCOMES, AND ON AFFORDABILITY, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED PROTECTING NEW YORKERS FROM MEDICAL DEBT AND ELIMINATING COPAYS FOR INSULIN.

LET'S GET TO THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE WHEN IT COMES TO AFFORDABILITY.

YOU READY?

OKAY.

THE OBSCENELY HIGH COST OF RENTS AND MORTGAGES CAUSED BY THE UNCONSCIONABLE SHORTAGE OF HOUSING IN NEW YORK!

[ APPLAUSE ] WHERE IT'S ONE OF THE FORCES DRIVING PEOPLE OUT OF EVERY CORNER OF OUR STATE.

AN OUT-MIGRATION IS A PROBLEM WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT.

AFTER LAST YEAR'S HOUSING FIGHT, HOCHUL STILL PLANS TO FOCUS ON SUPPLY AND SHARE A LESS AMBITIOUS PLAN NOW LARGELY FOCUSED ON HOUSING UNITS AS STATE SITES AND A REPLACEMENT FOR THE EXPIRED 421-A TAX ABATEMENT PROGRAM.

IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THE SPEECH WAS A PRESENTATION OF A LARGER 180-PAGE STATE BOOK THAT GIVES EVEN MORE DETAILS OUTLINING THE GOVERNOR'S PLANS FOR THE YEAR.

WE'LL LINK TO IT ON OUR WEBSITE.

OUR TEAM WAS ON THE GROUND AT THE CAPITOL DURING AND AFTER THE STATE OF THE STATE.

WE CAUGHT UP WITH SEVERAL LAWMAKERS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE TO GET THEIR REACTIONS TO THE SPEECH.

IT WAS A BUSY DAY AT NEW YORK STATE CAPITOL AS GOVERNOR KATHIE HOCHUL DELIVERED HER 2024 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS.

AFTER THE SPEECH, THE COMMON SENTIMENT AMONG STATE LAWMAKERS WAS THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING, AS STAKEHOLDERS AWAIT THE GOVERNOR'S EXECUTIVE BUDGET WHICH IS EXPECTED TO BE RELEASED NEXT WEEK.

ONE OF THE LAWMAKERS WAITING IS ASSEMBLY REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER WILLIAM BARCLAY WHO NOTED BOTH THE TONE AND SETTING OF THE ADDRESS WHEN ASKED BY REPORTERS.

IT WAS SEDATE, I THOUGHT.

I'M HAPPY IN IT WAS IN THE ASSEMBLY CHAMBERS.

COMPARED TO CUOMO, I ALMOST APPRECIATE IT WASN'T SO MUCH OF A SHOW.

DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS.

WE'VE GOT TO SEE WHAT SHE'S PROPOSING.

YOU KNOW, SO WE'LL SEE.

IN A PRESS RELEASE, STATE SENATE REPUBLICAN MINORITY LEADER ROB ORTT TOOK AIM AT DEMOCRATS FOR POLICY STANCES.

FOR EXAMPLE, THE GOVERNOR'S APPROACH TO THE ONGOING MIGRANT CRISIS.

NEW YORK CITY MAYOR ERIC ADAMS WHO HAS BEEN VOCAL ABOUT THE NEED FOR STATE AND FEDERAL AID TO HELP THE CITY AS IT HAS SEEN AN INFLUX IN ASYLUM SEEKERS TOLD REPORTERS AFTER THE ADDRESS, HE WAS LOOKING FORWARD TO THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET TO SEE HOW HOCHUL PLANNED TO ADDRESS THE CRISIS THIS YEAR.

THIS IS GOING TO BE IMPORTANT.

NEXT WEEK WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE BUDGETARY ISSUES, WE ALL KNOW THE ASYLUM SEEKER ISSUE IS IMPACTING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES, AND WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO HEAR HOW WE'RE GOING TO HAVE SOME REAL BUDGETARY RESPONSE TO THAT.

STATE SENATOR ZELLNOR MYRIE, A DEMOCRAT WHOSE DISTRICT INCLUDES MUCH OF CENTRAL BROOKLYN, OFFERED SUPPORT FOR ONE OF THE FOCAL POINTS OF THE GOVERNOR'S ADDRESS.

THE FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH, IN PARTICULAR, WAS SOMETHING THAT RESONATED PRETTY STRONGLY WITH ME.

IT'S SOMETHING THAT OUR COMMUNITIES ARE GOING THROUGH RIGHT NOW.

SO I'D LIKE TO HEAR THAT.

BUT MYRIE ALSO NOTED THERE WAS STILL MORE TO BE REVEALED IN THE UPCOMING BUDGET.

ONCE WE GET SOME MORE INFORMATION WHEN THE BUDGET IS RELEASED NEXT WEEK, I LOOK FORWARD TO HAVING THESE CONVERSATIONS IN EARNEST.

DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION, HOCHUL AND LEGISLATIVE LEADERS FAILED TO COME TO AN AGREEMENT ON A COMPREHENSIVE HOUSING PLAN.

FOLLOWING THE REJECTION OF HER AMBITIOUS HOUSING PLAN LAST YEAR, THE GOVERNOR PROPOSED A MORE MODEST PLAN IN HER ADDRESS THIS YEAR.

BUT LAWMAKERS OFFERED PUSHBACK ON THE GOVERNOR'S PROPOSAL BECAUSE IT DID NOT INCLUDE WHAT THEY SAY IS A KEY COMPONENT OF ADDRESSING THE STATE'S HOUSING CRISIS.

I WAS DISAPPOINTED TO NOT SEE ANY MENTION OF TENANT PROTECTIONS, BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS THE BEGINNING AND NOT THE END OF THE CONVERSATION.

ASSEMBLY MEMBER PATRICIA FAHY AGREED WITH SENATOR MYRIE THAT TENANT PROTECTIONS ARE NEEDED, AND AS CHAIR OF THE ASSEMBLY HIGHER EDUCATION COMMITTEE, FAHY ALSO EXPRESSED THE NEED FOR INCREASED TUITION ASSISTANCE FOR STUDENTS ATTENDING SUNY AND CUNY SCHOOLS.

JUST YESTERDAY, I LAUNCHED A TAP, TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

WE LAUNCHED A TURN ON THE TAP CAMPAIGN WITH AT LEAST A DOZEN OR MORE OF MY COLLEAGUES, AND WE NEED TO HELP YOUTH.

70% YOUTH ARE TELLING US COLLEGE IS-- THE NUMBER ONE REASON THEY'RE NOT GOING IS COLLEGE IS NOT AFFORDABLE.

WE USE TAP TO HELP MIDDLE INCOME AND LOW INCOME FAMILIES AND RIGHT NOW, IT'S BARELY HELPING EITHER OF THEM.

STATE SENATOR JABARI BRISPORT, A DEMOCRATIC SOCIALIST OF AMERICA MEMBER, POINTED TO INCREASED TAXES ON THE WEALTHY AS ANOTHER IMPORTANT POLICY ITEM THIS SESSION.

AN INITIATIVE THAT SEVERAL PROGRESSIVE LAWMAKERS AND ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN PUSHING AS THE STATE FACES A PROJECTED $4 BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT.

YEAH.

YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAS SOME INCREDIBLY AMBITIOUS IDEAS TO, YOU KNOW, MOVE NEW YORK STATE FORWARD, AND I THINK THE BEST WAY TO STRENGTHEN IT IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT WE STILL LIVE IN A STATE OF HAVES AND MANY HAVE-NOTES AND NEW TAXES ON THE RICH ARE FUNDAMENTAL TO AN EQUITABLE BUDGET.

AND GOVERNOR KATHY HOCHUL IS EXPECTED TO UNVEIL HER EXECUTIVE BUDGET PROPOSAL IN THE NEXT WEEK.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND THE GOVERNOR WILL THEN HEAD INTO NEGOTIATIONS TO MEET THAT APRIL 1ST BUDGET DEADLINE.

WE'RE JOINED IN THE STUDIO WITH RAGA JUSTIN OF THE TIMES UNION.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

OF COURSE.

NOW I WANTED TO GET YOUR TAKE-AWAYS ON THE ADDRESS.

OF COURSE THIS IS A HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ADDRESS AT THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION.

SO WHAT WERE SOME OF THE BIGGEST TAKE-AWAYS THAT YOU HAD AND WAS THERE ANYTHING THAT SHOCK YOU?

YEAH.

I THINK THE GOVERNOR SPENT A LOT OF TIME, YOU KNOW, DEDICATED TO HER MENTAL HEALTH TREATMENT PLAN AND HOW THAT'S GOING TO FACTOR INTO HER OVERALL APPROACH THIS YEAR.

YOU KNOW, WITHOUT USING MENTAL HEALTH INITIATIVES TO ADDRESS PUBLIC SAFETY CONCERNS THAT A LOT OF NEW YORKERS HAVE HAD RECENTLY, IT'S BEEN A TOP-OF-MIND ISSUE.

ANOTHER TOP-OF-MIND ISSUE, OF COURSE, HAS BEEN HOUSING.

WE DID SEE HER DEDICATE SOME PORTION OF HER SPEECH TO THAT CRISIS AS WELL.

BUT ONE OF THE MOST PREVALENT THINGS FOR A LOT OF RESIDENTS HAS BEEN, YOU KNOW, THE MIGRANT CRISIS, THE INFLUX OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE COME INTO OUR STATE AND WHO HAVE NEEDED A LOT OF STATE RESOURCES, YOU KNOW, AS THEY WORK THROUGH ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN AMERICA.

AND THE GOVERNOR DID NOT MAKE MUCH MENTION OF THAT IN HER SPEECH AT ALL, AND SO I THINK THAT SURPRISED A LOT OF PEOPLE AND THEN THAT BECAME THE NARRATIVE AFTER THE FACT THAT THERE HAD BEEN THAT OMISSION.

RIGHT.

AND SHE HAS SAID THAT, YOU KNOW, SHE PLANS TO PROVIDE MORE DETAILS OR FRAMEWORK OF THE MIGRANT CRISIS IN HER EXECUTIVE BUDGET AND SPEAKING WITH LAWMAKERS AFTER, YOU KNOW, THE COMMON SENTIMENT WAS THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS, RIGHT, MORE WILL BE REVEALED IN THAT EXECUTIVE BUDGET.

SO WHAT ARE SOME OF THOSE DETAILS THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT?

RIGHT.

I THINK YOU'RE EXACTLY RIGHT.

YOU KNOW, LAST WEEK WAS ABOUT BEING VAGUE BUT VISIONARY.

YEAH.

AND THIS NEXT WEEK IS GOING TO BE ABOUT GETTING DOWN TO THE BRASS TACKS.

WHAT ARE INDIVIDUAL PRIORITIES?

HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE FUNDED?

SO WE'RE GOING TO SEE A LOT MORE OF THOSE DETAILS NEXT WEEK.

WITH THAT, WITH THE MIGRANT SERVICES, YOU KNOW, THE BIG NARRATIVE THIS PAST YEAR HAS BEEN HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON HOUSING?

HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON HEALTH CARE?

HOW MUCH ARE WE SPENDING ON LEGAL AID?

I THINK CONTINUED THROUGH THIS YEAR WE'RE GOING TO START TO SEE THOSE LINE ITEM FORCE HOW MUCH THOSE SERVICES ARE GOING TO START COSTING THE STATE.

ANOTHER THING THAT'S PROBABLY GOING TO COME INTO FOCUS ARE SOME OF THE FINANCIAL COMPONENTS OF HER HOUSING PLAN.

FOR EXAMPLE, YOU KNOW, TAX BREAKS FOR DEVELOPERS IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY.

I THINK WE'RE GOING TO SEE HOW EXACTLY THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT.

YEAH.

AND GOING BACK TO HOUSING, WE KNOW LAST YEAR THERE WAS A BIG FIGHT OVER HOUSING.

THE GOVERNOR UNVEILED VERY AMBITIOUS HOUSING PLAN AT THE START OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION THAT WAS MET WITH A LOT OF PUSHBACK FROM SUBURBAN LAWMAKERS.

THIS TIME AROUND, THOUGH, SHE UNVEILED A MORE MODEST PLAN.

SO WHAT WAS THE STRATEGY FROM YOUR PURVIEW BY THE GOVERNOR ON THIS?

WELL, I THINK SHE HAS SEEN THE OPPOSITION.

SHE'S SEEN THAT IT'S NOT A GOOD LUCK POLITICALLY AND IT WAS DIFFICULT FINDING, YOU KNOW, COMPROMISES WITHIN THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY, AND SO I THINK THIS YEAR, IT'S A LITTLE BIT MORE OF, OKAY, WELL, IT'S ON YOUR SHOULDERS.

RIGHT I THINK SHE'S PUSHING IT OFF TO THE LEGISLATURE A LITTLE BIT AND SAYING ARE IF YOU WANT TO MAKE SOMETHING WORK, YOU WILL HAVE TO WORK WITH ME ON THIS, BUT IN RETURN, I'M GIVING YOU SOMETHING THAT'S A BIT MORE MODERATE.

THEN HEADING INTO NEXT WEEK WHEN WE WILL HOPEFULLY GET THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET, THE STATE, OF COURSE, IS PROJECTING A $4 BILLION BUDGET DEFICIT BUT THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET IS JUST ONE PART.

IT DOESN'T END THERE.

OF COURSE, THERE WILL BE BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, BUT HOW DO YOU SEE THE PROJECTED BUDGET DEFICIT IMPACTING THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET THAT THE GOVERNOR PROPOSES?

YEAH.

I MEAN, I THINK THE WAY THAT IT'S BEEN DESCRIBED HAS BEEN A YEAR OF CAUTION.

ADVOCATES WILL SAY THAT THERE'S, YOU KNOW, MULTIBILLION DOLLAR RAINY DAY FUND TO COVER THEIR PRIORITIES.

BUT I THINK THE FACT THAT, YOU KNOW, WE LIKELY WON'T HAVE TAX INCREASES THIS YEAR.

THAT COUPLED WITH, YOU KNOW, THE FEDERAL COVID ERA FUNDING HAS DRIED UP.

AND WE'VE GOT-- IT'S A BIG ELECTION YEAR.

THERE'S A BIG ELECTION ON THE HORIZON.

I THINK ALL THOSE THINGS COMBINED MEAN THAT, YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR HAD AND HER BUDGET OFFICIALS ARE TREADING PRETTY CAREFULLY MOVING FORWARD, AND THEY'RE NOT LIKELY TO WANT TO SPEND AS MUCH MONEY.

YEAH.

I HAVE THAT SAME FEELING AS WELL.

YOU BROUGHT UP IT BEING AN ELECTION YEAR.

I THINK LAST YEAR WAS THE YEAR FOR BIG, AMBITIOUS PROPOSALS BUT THE GOVERNOR SEEMS TO FOCUS ON MORE POCKETBOOK ISSUES, DINNER TABLE ISSUES.

HOW DO YOU SEE THE LEGISLATURE WORKING WITH THE GOVERNOR GIVEN THE REALITY THAT IT IS AN ELECTION YEAR?

LIKE, WHAT SHOULD THEIR STRATEGY BE HERE?

YOU KNOW, I THINK TALKING TO LAWMAKERS, I HEARD A LOT OF CAUTIOUS OPTIMISM.

THEY'RE SAYING, OH, YOU KNOW, IF WE ROLL UP OUR SLEEVES AND GET TOGETHER, WE CAN GET SOMETHING DONE AND THERE'S BEEN THESE SENTIMENTS OF BIPARTISANSHIP AND SENTIMENTS OF REALLY COMPROMISE AND WORKING TOGETHER.

BUT YOU KNOW, THAT'S KIND OF HOW EVERY YEAR STARTS AND SORT OF UNRAVELS AROUND THE BUDGET NEGOTIATION PROCESS.

RIGHT.

I THINK WE'LL SEE.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, THEY STILL HAVE, IF NOT THE UPPER HAND, THEY STILL BOTH CHAMBERS HAVE A REALLY STRONG POSITION.

I MEAN, IT'S A SUPERMAJORITY.

SO IF THE GOVERNOR WANTS SOMETHING, SHE'S PROBABLY GOING TO HAVE TO WORK WITH IT, YOU KNOW, WITH BOTH THE SENATE AND THE ASSEMBLY.

AND LAST YEAR, WE HAD A VERY LATE BUDGET.

NO ONE CAN FORGET THAT.

EXACTLY.

HOW DO YOU SEE THINGS PLAYING OUT THIS YEAR?

DO YOU THINK WE'LL GET AN ON-TIME BUDGET?

THAT'S THE BIG QUESTION.

THAT'S THE MULTIBILLION DOLLAR QUESTION.

RIGHT.

I DO NOT HAVE A CRYSTAL BALL.

SO I COULD NOT SAY.

EXACTLY.

YEAH.

HOPEFULLY WE'LL GET IT ON TIME.

I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO CLUE HOW THAT'S GOING TO PLAY OUT.

YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT EVERYONE DOES SAY THAT THEY'RE ALWAYS TRYING TO HIT THAT DEADLINE AND THAT IF THEY DON'T, IT'S BECAUSE OF SOMETHING MOVING BEHIND THE SCENES THAT WE ARE NOT PRIVY TO.

SO I THINK THE ANSWER TO THAT IS JUST WE'LL SEE.

WELL, THERE'S A LOT TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN THE EXECUTIVE BUDGET AND THE UPCOMING BUDGET NEGOTIATIONS, BUT WE'LL HAVE TO LEAVE IT HERE FOR NOW.

SO THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

OF COURSE.

THANK YOU.

WE'RE SPEAKING WITH RAGA JUSTIN OF THE TIMES UNION.

LAWMAKERS WILL CONTINUE TO PRIORITIZE THEIR LEGISLATIVE AGENDAS AS THE SESSION CONTINUES.

AN IMPORTANT ASPECT OF THOSE AGENDAS INCLUDES THE WORK OF ADVOCATES WHO ORGANIZE IN SUPPORT AND SOMETIMES AGAINST THE POLICY ISSUES AT THE CAPITOL.

TO DIVE INTO ALL OF THE ELEMENTS THAT GO INTO ORGANIZING AROUND A POLITICAL CAUSE, WE'LL BE SHARING A NEW YORK AND ORGANIZING EPISODE.

WELCOME TO NEW YORK AND ORGANIZING.

I'M YOUR HOST, RAGA JUSTIN.

LOOKING BACK EARLIER IN THIS SERIES, WE TALKED ABOUT HOW VOTING IS A CRUCIAL, EASY, AND IMPACTFUL WAY TO BE CIVICALLY ENGAGED.

BUT VOTING IS FAR FROM EVERYTHING.

SOMETIMES ELECTIONS CAN FEEL LIKE THEY LACK MEANING.

MAYBE SOME OF YOUR LOCAL OFFICIALS RUN UNOPPOSED.

MAYBE SOME POLITICIANS GET VOTED IN AND DON'T DO WHAT THEY SAY THEY'RE GOING TO DO.

THIS IS ALL TO SAY VOTING IS FOUNDATIONAL AND INCREDIBLY IMPORTANT.

BUT IT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY TOOLS YOU HAVE IN YOUR TOOL BELT FOR AFFECTING CHANGE.

WHEN PEOPLE EXPRESS CONCERNS ABOUT DEEP-ROOTED ISSUES IN OUR SOCIETY, YOU CAN'T JUST SIMPLY SAY GO VOTE AND ACT LIKE THAT IS THE CURE-ALL TO BAD GOVERNANCE.

THIS IS WHY WE WANTED TO FOCUS ON ORGANIZING AS A WAY TO BE MEANINGFULLY, CIVICALLY ENGAGED BEYOND CASTING YOUR VOTE.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE WILL GO OVER THE CONCEPT OF ORGANIZING, THE WORK THAT GOES INTO IT AND WAYS YOU CAN GET INVOLVED.

[ THEME MUSIC ] BEING A SHOW THAT FOCUSES ON THE IMPACT OF STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT, IT'S FUNDAMENTAL TO REALIZE THAT POLICIES IMPACT PEOPLE'S LIVES.

THEY IMPACT YOUR LIFE.

AS AN INDIVIDUAL, IT MAY FEEL LIKE YOU MAY NOT HAVE THE POWER ON YOUR OWN TO CHALLENGE THOSE IN POWER.

THAT'S WHERE ORGANIZING COMES IN.

WE'RE GOING TO START BY HIGHLIGHTING COMMUNITY ORGANIZING.

FOLKS AT THE JONATHAN M. TISCH COLLEGE OF CIVIC LIFE AT TUFTS UNIVERSITY DESCRIBE COMMUNITY ORGANIZING AS A SET OF METHODS, PRACTICES AND STRATEGIES THAT ADDRESS PUBLIC PROBLEMS AND ALSO STRENGTHEN PEOPLE'S CAPACITY TO WORK TOGETHER AND EXERCISE POWER.

ORGANIZERS BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER UNDER A UNIFYING IDEA OR GOAL, SO THE GROUP CAN UTILIZE THE COLLECTIVE EFFORTS OF FOLKS TO ACHIEVE THE CHANGE THAT THEY WANT TO SEE.

LET'S SAY A CITY'S COST OF HOUSING SKYROCKETS OVER A PERIOD OF TIME.

RESIDENTS OF THAT CITY COULD GET TOGETHER TO COME UP WITH WAYS TO ALLEVIATE THE ISSUE, CONNECT WITH OTHER HOUSING-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS AND USE THEIR COMBINED POWER TO INFLUENCE LOCAL POLICYMAKERS AND OFFICIALS INTO PASSING POLICIES THAT WILL ALLEVIATE HOUSING COSTS, BUT WHAT DOES THE NITTY-GRITTY OF THE ORGANIZING PROCESS LOOK LIKE?

WHAT WORK GOES INTO GETTING PEOPLE TOGETHER AND STRIVING TO ACHIEVE GOALS?

WE ASKED TABITHA WILSON, BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE VILLAGE, AN ALBANY-BASED ORGANIZATION WORKING TO IMPROVE THE LIVES OF FOLKS WHO LIVE IN THE CITY'S UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS.

I DO THINK IT STARTS WITH COMING TOGETHER, SORT OF NAMING THE ISSUE OR PAIN POINT THAT WE HAVE AS A COLLECTIVE AND AGAIN, ENVISIONING WHERE DO WE WANT TO BE BEYOND THIS THING THAT'S CAUSING US PAIN OR IS HORRIBLE FOR US OR IS A CHALLENGE FOR US?

WHAT IS THE VISION OF HOW WE WANT IT TO LOOK?

WE HAVE TO BRING IN, YOU KNOW, INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE INVESTED IN THE PROCESS, WHETHER IT BE YOUR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS OR POLICY, WHOEVER DICTATES SAID POLICY, BRINGING THEM ALONG WITH THE VISION ABOUT THIS IS CAUSING US PAIN AS A GROUP.

ONE OF THE THINGS I TRY TO BRING TO SORT OF LIKE OUR COLLECTIVE, WHATEVER WE'RE WORKING ON IS, FOR ONE, A TIME LINE.

I'M ALWAYS VERY BIG ABOUT, OKAY, WHEN DO WE WANT TO DO THIS?

WHEN IS THIS ABOUT TO OCCUR?

TO ME, THAT'S A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF ORGANIZING IS THAT IT'S VERY TIMEBOUND AND YOU ALSO HAVE TO KNOW LIKE ALL THE LOGISTICAL ELEMENTS INVOLVED AND WHO'S COMING?

WHY DO THEY CARE?

WHAT IS OUR CALL TO ACTION TO THEM IS OUR MAJOR THREE POINTS FOR ME?

SOMETIMES IT LEADS TO YOU OFFSET THE FACT THAT WE'RE TRYING TO GET PEOPLE OUT OF THEIR HOUSE IN A BUSY TIME TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE A LITTLE MORE MUNDANE.

WE OFTEN PROVIDE DINNER SO THEN IT'S ONE LESS THING OUR COMMUNITY WOULD HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT.

ANOTHER ELEMENT, FOR EXAMPLE, WAS AN EVENT WE ORGANIZED, WE HAD CHILD CARE TO ENSURE THAT, YOU KNOW, THAT'S ONE LESS THING THAT A CONSTITUENCY THAT HAS SORT OF THESE COMPLICATIONS THAT ARE A RESULT OF LIKE YEARS OF DISENFRANCHISEMENT, IS NOT CONTINUALLY DISENFRANCHISED.

INSTEAD OF US GOING THROUGH US AND GOING THROUGH BARRIERS, US ANTICIPATING AND KNOWING WHAT THE BARRIERS MAY BE ARE AND REDUCING THEM SO MORE PEOPLE, MORE VOICES CAN BE INVOLVED AND ENGAGED.

SO THIS MIGHT BE A LOT TO TAKE IN.

ORGANIZING IS A LOT OF WORK AFTER ALL.

IF IT'S SOMETHING YOU WANT TO BECOME INVOLVED IN, WHERE DO YOU EVEN START?

WELL, THE GOOD NEWS IS IF THERE IS AN ISSUE ON YOUR MIND THAT YOU WANT FOLKS TO GET TOGETHER TO TRY TO SOLVE, ODDS ARE THERE ARE ALREADY FOLKS OUT THERE TRYING TO ADDRESS IT AND THEY COULD PROBABLY USE ADDITIONAL STRENGTH IN NUMBERS.

HERE'S TABITHA'S THOUGHTS ON THE BEST WAY TO GET START ORGANIZING.

FOR ME AND OTHERS, ORGANIZING TENDS TO BE AROUND THE PERSONAL.

THINGS THAT IMPACT YOU PERSONALLY, WHETHER IT BE POVERTY, WORKING MOMS, SCHOOL BOARD OR SCHOOL DYNAMIC ISSUES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

THESE SORT OF PERSONALIZED ISSUES DO ACTIVATE PEOPLE.

I WOULD SAY STAVE OFF FROM DOING IT ON YOUR OWN.

FIND OUT WHO IS ALREADY ORGANIZING ON THE GROUND AROUND SAID ISSUES.

THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE ON THE GROUND.

ARE MORE PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE I'M HAVING?

AND CAN WE SPEAK TO THE FOLKS THAT CAN MAKE THE CHANGE HAPPEN FOR US?

HERE IN ALBANY, THE CAPITOL OF NEW YORK, COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, LOBBYISTS, ADVOCACY GROUPS AND INDIVIDUALS ARE CONSTANTLY HEADING TO THE SEAT OF POWER TO MAKE THEIR VOICE HEARD.

WHEN THE LEGISLATURE IS IN SESSION, PROPONENTS OF VARIOUS CAUSES WILL GATHER ALL OVER THE CAPITOL, AT THE MILLION DOLLAR STAIRCASE, IN THE HALLS AND IN ASSEMBLY AND SENATE OFFICES TO LIST THEIR CONCERNS AND PUT FORWARD IDEAS FOR CHANGE.

SO IF YOU WANT TO SEE ORGANIZING AND LOBBYING IN ACTION, STATE CAPITOL OF NEW YORK IS THE PLACE TO BE.

BUT LET'S FOCUS A LITTLE ON ORGANIZING AND ADVOCACY AS IT RELATES TO PLACES OF BUSINESS.

THIS CAN COME IN MULTIPLE FORMS.

WITH LABOR ORGANIZING BEING THE MOST COMMONLY KNOWN.

LABOR ORGANIZING OFTEN INVOLVES WORKERS VYING FOR CHANGES AND WORKING CONDITIONS AND COMPENSATION, AND IT'S HOW UNIONS ARE FORMED, DUE TO THE POWER OF COLLECT BARGAINING, UNION MEMBERSHIP IS OFTEN CITED AS HELPING TO STRENGTHEN THE MIDDLE CLASS AND COMBAT WEALTH AND EQUALITY.

BUSINESS OWNERS, THEMSELVES, HAVE STAKES TO LOOK OUT FOR AS WELL.

CONSIDERING HOW LEGISLATION AND REGULATIONS CAN IMPACT THE FUNCTION OF A BUSINESS, IT MAKES SENSE THAT THERE WOULD BE EFFORTS BY BUSINESSES TO HAVE AN INFLUENCE ON THAT PROCESS.

IF UNIONS ARE THE PRODUCT OF WORKERS GETTING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE CERTAIN GOALS, TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ARE THE PRODUCT OF BUSINESSES GETTING TOGETHER TO ADVANCE CERTAIN GOALS.

TRADE ASSOCIATIONS ARE OFTEN COMPOSED OF MEMBERS REPRESENTING A SPECIFIC INDUSTRY AND THE ASSOCIATION WORKS TO ADVOCATE FOR CHANGE THAT IS FAVORABLE FOR THAT INDUSTRY.

FOR EXAMPLE, ABC ASSOCIATED BUILD PERCENT CONTRACTORS IS A TRADE ASSOCIATION REPRESENTING MEMBERS OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY THAT GENERALLY DO NOT AFFILIATE WITH UNIONS.

IT WORKS TO REPRESENT THOSE MEMBERS AT VARIOUS LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT.

WE SPOKE WITH BRIAN SAMPSON, WHO IS THE PRESIDENT OF ABC'S EMPIRE STATE CHAPTER ABOUT HOW TRADE ASSOCIATIONS REPRESENT THEIR MEMBERS BY LOOKING TO INFLUENCE GOVERNANCE AND POLICY.

BUSINESSES WILL JOIN AN ASSOCIATION LIKE ABC BECAUSE THEY HAVE TO FOCUS IN THEIR BUSINESS AND ON THEIR BUSINESS.

THEY DON'T ALWAYS HAVE TIME TO FOCUS ON THE LEGISLATIVE PIECE OF WHAT'S GOING ON, THE THINGS THAT GET PASSED THAT REALLY IMPACT THEM.

SO THEY'LL JOIN IN THE ASSOCIATION LIKE ABC.

SO WHAT WE DO IS IT'S A MULTI-PRONGED APPROACH.

YOU KNOW, WE HAVE THREE STAFF MEMBERS HERE AT THE CHAPTER THAT ARE VERY MUCH FOCUSED ALMOST SOLELY ON GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS-RELATED WORK.

A COUPLE OF US ARE REGISTERED LOBBYISTS.

WE USE THE TOOLS THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO US.

SO A LOT OF THAT IS, YOU KNOW, WHAT WE'LL OFTEN REFER TO AS HAND-TO-HAND COMBAT.

WE GO TO ALBANY.

WE SIT IN THE SENATORS' AND THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' OFFICES.

WE MEET WITH THEIR STAFF.

WE TALK ABOUT THESE ISSUES.

SO WE'LL DO A LOT OF IN-DISTRICT OFFICE VISITS WHERE WE'LL TAKE OUR MEMBERS IN TO MEET WITH THE SENATOR, THE ASSEMBLY MEMBER AND PUT A FACE TO THE ISSUE.

A LOT OF THE WORK THAT WE DO IS ABOUT SETTING THE STAGE FOR THE FUTURE, RIGHT?

A LAW GETS INTRODUCED.

IT'S ALREADY THERE.

YOU DO A LOT OF THIS LEGWORK SO THAT THE NEXT BILL IS LESS BAD.

[ THEME MUSIC ] BUSINESS OWNERS, WORKERS, COMMUNITY MEMBERS, FOLKS OF DIFFERENT BACKGROUNDS AND INTERESTS ALL ORGANIZE TO TRY TO INFLUENCE CHANGE IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, INDUSTRIES, CITIES AND STATES.

WHERE DO YOU FIT INTO THIS?

WHAT EXPECTATIONS DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE, YOUR COUNCIL PERSON, YOUR STATE SENATOR?

IF THE PEOPLE WE VOTE IN ARE NOT ACHIEVING GOALS OR MAKING MEANINGFUL CHANGE IN OUR LIVES, CAN WE COME TOGETHER AND WORK TOWARDS A BETTER TOMORROW?

IT'S UP TO YOU.

AND THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE TO USE POWER AND INFLUENCE TO CREATE THE SOCIETY THAT YOU WANT TO SEE.

THAT'S ALL FOR TODAY.

KEEP LEARNING AND I WILL SEE YOU ALL LATER.

NOW TURNING TO ANOTHER TOPIC, AS PART OF WMHT'S SERIES ON STORIES AND SOLUTIONS ON THE OPIOID CRISIS IN NEW YORK, WE DIVE INTO THE WORK OF THE SCHENECTADY CARES PROGRAM.

SINCE LAUNCHING IN 2019, THE PROGRAM HAS ALLOWED THOSE BATTLING ADDICTION TO SIMPLY WALK INTO THE SCHENECTADY POLICE DEPARTMENT TO GET ACCESS TO DRUG TREATMENT SERVICES.

HERE'S THAT STORY.

SCHENECTADY CARES PROGRAM IS A PROGRAM THAT STARTED IN 2019.

IT'S BASED ON KIND OF A COLLABORATION WITH NOT ONLY THE SCHENECTADY POLICE DEPARTMENT BUT THE OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES HERE AT SCHENECTADY COUNTY.

THE, THE CHOICE IS RECOVERY AND ALSO CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

[ MUSIC ] WE STARTED BASED OFF A PROGRAM BASED IN MASSACHUSETTS.

BASICALLY WHAT WAS HAPPENING OUT THERE IS A SMALL AGENCY, GLOSSER MASS, OPENED THEIR DOOR AND SAID IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, YOU DON'T KNOW WHERE TO GO, YOU CAN WALK INTO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WITH COMPLETE AMNESTY AND YOU CAN GET CONNECTED TO SERVICES THAT WORK FOR YOU THERE.

SO IN 2019, WE ADOPTED THE PROGRAM HERE IN THE CITY OF SCHENECTADY.

SO NOW AN INDIVIDUAL CAN WALK INTO THE SCHENECTADY POLICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY CAN CONNECT TO SERVICES THAT ARE HARM REDUCTION BASED, THAT RANGE FROM SAFE SYRINGES, FOR EXAMPLE, OR IT CAN BE LONG-TERM REHAB CENTER, WHATEVER WORKS FOR SOMEBODY.

SO IN 2021, WE KIND OF REDEFINE SCHENECTADY CARES AGAIN AND OPENED UP WHAT WE CONSIDERED PHASE TWO OF IT.

WE LEARNED WITH A PARTNERSHIP WITH THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHERE NON-FATAL OVERDOSES OCCURRED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

WE CAN GET INTO AN O.D.

MAPPING SYSTEM THAT REALLY PLOTS IT FOR US AND CAN REALLY SHOW US WHERE OVERDOSES ARE OCCURRING.

THAT'S GOOD FOR THOSE SERVICES THAT ARE OUT THERE THAT MAY WANT TO TARGET AREAS OF THE CITY THAT REALLY COULD USE THE SERVICES AND SO NOW, WHAT WE'RE DOING IS WHEN WE FIND A NON-FATAL OVERDOSE IN THE COMMUNITY, WE'RE ABLE TO GET THAT DATA INTO THE HANDS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS AT NEW CHOICES AND CATHOLIC CHARITIES.

THOSE ARE PEERS AND COUNSELORS THERE WHO THEN REACH OUT TO AN INDIVIDUAL AFTER A NON-FATAL OVERDOSE AND THEY TRY TO FIND SERVICES THAT WORK FOR THEM.

I THINK PHASE TWO ACTUALLY IN MANY WAYS IS EVEN MORE IMPACTFUL BECAUSE THIS IS BRINGING SERVICES TO THAT INDIVIDUAL.

SINCE 2021, ABOUT 950 POST-NON-FATAL OVERDOSE REFERRALS HAVE GONE OUT TO CATHOLIC CHARITIES AND NEW CHOICES.

AN OVERDOSE FOLLOW-UP IS WHEN WE GO AND KNOCK ON THE DOOR OF AN ADDRESS WHERE AN OVERDOSE OCCURRED AND SAYING, YOU KNOW, WE UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAD 911 HERE YESTERDAY AND THERE WAS AN OVERDOSE.

CAN WE HELP?

HERE'S INFORMATION.

HERE'S NARCAN.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TALK TO ANYBODY?

THAT KIND OF THING.

WE OFFER THE FULL CONTINUUM OF SERVICES, TREATMENT, INTERVENTION, MEDICATION, COUNSELING, RESIDENTIAL PROGRAMS AS WELL AS SUPPORT FOR RECOVERY.

WE WANT TO SEE MORE POLICE AGENCIES OUT THERE ADOPTING THIS KIND OF METHODOLOGY TOWARDS SUBSTANCE USE IN THEIR COMMUNITY, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, I THINK WE ALSO HAVE TO LOOK AT COLLABORATIONS.

IT NEEDS TO BE A WELL-ROUNDED APPROACH.

WE CAN'T PUT IT ALL ON PUBLIC HEALTH.

WE CAN'T PUT IT ALL ON OUR MEDICS.

WE CAN'T PUT IT ALL ON LAW ENFORCEMENT, BUT TOGETHER, WE CAN KIND OF CARRY THIS A LITTLE BIT BETTER.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE WORK OF THE SCHENECTADY CARES PROGRAM AND TO ACCESS ALL OF OUR OPIOID IN NEW YORK EPISODES, YOU CAN VISIT OUR WEBSITE.

THAT'S AT NYNOW.ORG.

THAT DOES IT FOR THIS EPISODE OF "NEW YORK NOW."

THANK YOU FOR TUNING IN AND SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[ THEME MUSIC ] ANNOUNCER: FUNDING FOR "NEW YORK NOW" IS PROVIDED BY WNET AND BY THE NEW YORK STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.