Groups Urge NY Senate to Oppose Gov. Hochul’s Nomination for Supt. of Financial Services, as Confirmation Process Begins

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 24, 2022

CONTACT: 
Andy Morrison, andy@neweconomynyc.org
Michele Gilliam, michele@acrecampaigns.org
Charles Khan, Charles.E.Khan@strongforall.org

GROUPS URGE NY SENATE TO OPPOSE GOV. HOCHUL’S NOMINATION FOR SUPT. OF FINANCIAL SERVICES, AS CONFIRMATION PROCESS BEGINS

Racial and economic justice advocates demand rigorous examination of Adrienne Harris’ record and experience, put forth detailed questions regarding apparent conflicts of interest

As the New York Senate prepares for hearings this week on Governor Hochul’s nomination of Adrienne Harris for Superintendent of the NYS Department of Financial Services, racial and economic justice groups delivered a letter to Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, urging the Senate to conduct a rigorous examination of Ms. Harris’ record and experience.

Citing Ms. Harris’ affiliations with multiple financial technology (“fintech”) companies and alarming public statements indicating she would take a ‘light-touch’ approach to financial regulation, the groups called on the Senate to oppose her nomination.

“New Yorkers need a DFS Superintendent who will see through fintech companies’ rhetoric, which has simply failed to match the reality for low-income communities and communities of color, and vigorously enforce our strong usury and other consumer protection laws,” the groups stated in their letter.

The groups included ten questions they urged Senators to ask the nominee during the confirmation process, which gets underway this afternoon at 12 p.m. with a committee meeting of the Senate Finance Committee, at which Ms. Harris will appear. Click here to read the full letter.

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