Dear Neighbor, 

As we continue negotiating what will ultimately be defined as the most influential budget in state history, we need focused, steady leadership to ensure the priorities of our communities are met. 

Our one-house budget contains some long overdue wins for New Yorkers I am proud to have helped champion, including $2.1 billion funding for workers in our communities, housing voucher programs, small businesses relief, funding for our agricultural communities, and a commitment to fully fund our public schools. 

While I believe this budget takes many steps forward, we must continue fighting to right the systemic wrongs that left our most marginalized communities vulnerable in the first place. 

• We need real relief and debt forgiveness for our taxi and medallion owners, so no more taxi drivers face bankruptcy and lose their homes, their retirement savings, or worse.

• New York State should waive income taxes on unemployment benefits. Waiving these taxes would mean more money in the pockets of so many unemployed New Yorkers across our state, like our freelance and gig workers whose industry has been drastically impacted by this pandemic.
   

• And, to correct the decades of disinvestment in our communities, we cannot shy away from taxing our ultra-rich neighbors. We need to rewrite New York’s social contract so we can make meaningful investments in the resources and services New Yorkers need to thrive in the state they call home.

I continue to be deeply embarrassed and disgusted by recent allegations made within the Governor’s administration. That's why I joined over 55 of state lawmakers in calling on his immediate resignation for the good of New York State. Additionally, I applaud the efforts of federal representatives Rep. Nadler, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, other New York Democrats in calling on Cuomo to step down in order to best protect the interests of New York’s public citizens. 

In Solidarity, 

Jessica Ramos