April
2022
18
Spectrum News: Local Officials in New York Call for Public Banking Bill
Spectrum News — A bill that would enable the creation of public banks in New York has won the backing of dozens of local elected officials in 19 cities.
community equity agenda
February
2022
16
Testimony Before Joint Legislative Hearing on Economic Development and the Fiscal Year (FY) 2022-23 Executive Budget Proposal
As low-income communities and communities of color across the state continue to reel from the economic devastation caused by COVID-19, this year’s budget presents an historic opportunity to make bold investments that will drive equitable local economic development for years, and even decades, to come. We urge both houses of the Legislature to allocate $100 million for the NYS CDFI Fund and $100 million in matching funds to help local governments capitalize public banks, and to adopt, as part of the budget, the NY Public Banking Act (S1762A/A8290), which creates a safe and appropriate regulatory framework for local public banks in New York.
January
2022
19
Statement from NYS Community Equity Agenda Coalition: Hochul’s Budget Proposal Squanders Historic Opportunity to Invest In Communities
With yesterday’s Executive Budget proposal, Governor Hochul had the opportunity to present a bold community economic development agenda that addresses long-standing racial and economic inequality that the pandemic has exacerbated. Unfortunately, with few exceptions, this budget proposal offers more of the same.
November
2021
18
Coalition of 40+ Community & Labor Groups Releases 5-Point Platform for a Community-Led Recovery, Racial and Economic Justice in NY
This afternoon the NYS Community Equity Agenda, a coalition of more than 40 community, labor, and civil rights groups, cooperative organizations, and community development financial institutions from across New York, released its policy priorities for 2022.
June
2021
9
Newsday: Banks Accused of Soaking Poor With Fees Amid Pandemic
Newsday — Banks have charged Long Islanders an estimated $120 million in overdraft, ATM and maintenance fees since the start of the pandemic, compounding the economic hardships experienced by low-income residents, according to a report issued by a coalition of progressive groups Wednesday.
May
2021
13
Statement on the enactment of S5923A/A6617A, exempting COVID-19 stimulus payments from debt collection
“Thanks to this important legislation, debt collectors are now prohibited from siphoning New Yorkers’ COVID-19 stimulus payments. The new law ensures that federal relief funds actually provide relief to New Yorkers, not windfalls for the debt collection industry. New Economy Project is proud to have worked on this crucial bill with ally organizations, as we continue the fight for racial and economic justice and a just recovery for all New Yorkers.”
September
2020
9
News Release: NY/NJ Banking Committee Chairs, Groups, Decry Trump Proposal to Unleash Payday Lending
Today, chairs of New York and New Jersey’s Senate and Assembly banking committees and community leaders blasted the Trump administration’s proposal to allow predatory lenders to circumvent state usury laws and contravene the authority of state elected officials.
September
2020
3
Comment Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Proposed “True Lender” Rule
New Economy Project writes to register its vehement opposition to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s proposed “true lender” rule. In one fell swoop, the proposal would effectively obliterate New York’s longstanding usury laws and legalize, for the first time in our state’s history, predatory payday lending. The proposed rule is consistent with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to dismantle critical protections and benefit corporate interests–in this instance, facilitating the systematic extraction of wealth from people and communities.
August
2020
28
(Archive) Stop Trump Administration from Unleashing Predatory Payday Lending in NY
New York has successfully fought to keep predatory payday lending out of our state, as a matter of racial and economic justice. Now, the Trump administration is seeking to gut New York’s longstanding consumer protection laws, and open the door to high-cost lenders that exploit people who are struggling financially.
April
2020
1
Let’s Be Real Episode 11: New York State Community Equity Agenda Pt.1
The next four episodes of Let’s Be Real focus on the NYS Community Equity Agenda, a statewide coalition that is calling for economic development that is community-led and grounded in community wealth-building and racial and economic justice. Each episode zooms in on an Equity Agenda priority, from promoting community-controlled financial institutions to ending wealth extraction throughout New York.