FPWA

In September, four New Yorkers were shot after police confronted a man over an unpaid subway fare of $2.90. We didn’t get here overnight; this tragedy is the result of a failed policy that punishes the poor instead of addressing the cost of living crisis. Fare evasion enforcement doesn’t make the subway safer. Instead, it disproportionately targets low-income communities and people of color. Meanwhile, in 2023, NYC spent $151M on MTA police overtime, but underfunded Fair Fares, a program designed to make transit affordable. We need real solutions, not punishment: ? Expand Fair Fares to cover more struggling New Yorkers ? Help people enroll instead of handing out fines ? Decriminalize fare evasion #FairFaresNYC?#StopTheCriminalization?#TransitJustice?#NYCSubway

New York City and state budget season is in full swing, but with ongoing economic uncertainty due to changes at the federal level, staying informed on the latest developments is more crucial than ever. Join us for this critical conversation as advocates and leaders across government and the human services sector detail how to navigate this time. Event Details: ?? Wednesday, March 19 ? 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM ?? FPWA Conference Center Register at bit.ly/4i8ThPN #NYCBudget #NYSBudget #budgetseason #fiscalpolicy #nycfundstracker #Budget #independentbudgetoffice #fiscalpolicyinstitute #newyorkcity New York City Independent Budget Office Brooklyn Org Office of the New York City Comptroller

The official poverty measure says that a family of four living anywhere in #America needs just $32,000 to "not be poor." We know that's not true - especially in a place like #NewYorkCity. Our Co-Chair, Jennifer Jones Austin, debunks how this outdated #povertymeasure keeps #Americans economically deprived and makes the case for how our True Cost of Economic Security (TCES) measure can promote #economicsecurity for all on a recent interview with David Lombardo from #CapitolPressroom: bit.ly/41i3sL3 #Antipoverty #PovertyMeasurement #OfficialPovertyMeasure #Affordability #Food #Housing

Why is #NewYork and the rest of America so unaffordable? Simple: we rely on outdated economic measures that only?center on acute basic needs?to shape?economic policies. ? If we want #Americans to?be able to plan beyond their next paycheck and save for #retirement, pay for emergency and medical expenses, and set future generations up to thrive and be financially secure, we?have to start measuring what matters –?and the True Cost of Economic Security (TCES) measure can get us there. ? Created by the National True Cost of Living Coalition in partnership with the Urban Institute, Co-Chair Jennifer Jones Austin?joins David Lombardo on Capitol Pressroom to discuss?how the TCES measure?can make economic security attainable for all.? Full interview: bit.ly/41i3sL3 ? #Affordability #Wages #poverty #povertymeasurement #economicpolicy #housing

?? Today we are calling on New York State's faith community and social justice leaders to join our fight for?#educationequity. Here's how you can take action: 1?? Sign our letter at fpwa.tfaforms.net/5130334 You can learn more about our work and the policy issues at fpwa.org/faithineducation. #EducationInequity?#EconomicJustice?#EducationJustice?#education?#dualenrollment?#faithadvocates?#communityadvocate?#socialjustice

Join us for this urgent discussion on city, state, and federal budgets with advocates, government leaders, and NYC’s human services community. We’ll explore how to navigate and respond to the potential loss of critical funding to our state and city under the Trump Administration, the impact it will have on our communities, and more. Event Details: ?? Wednesday, March 19 ? 9:00 AM – 12:30 PM ?? FPWA Conference Center Register at bit.ly/4i8ThPN #NYCBudget?#NYSBudget?#budgetseason?#fiscalpolicy?#nycfundstracker?#Budget?#fiscalpolicyinstitute | New York City Independent Budget Office Office of the New York City Comptroller Nathan Gusdorf louisa chafee Krista Olson Jennifer Jones Austin

More than half of all households in New York struggle to pay their bills and housing costs, afford health care and child care, and save for their futures. This is unacceptable. At FPWA, we believe that the state has an obligation to ensure economic security for all New Yorkers, regardless of their race, gender identity, immigration status, or other characteristics. The 2025-2026 State Budget presents an opportunity to make real progress to make this a reality. This includes improving and expanding income supports and tax credits for low-income New Yorkers, addressing the housing crisis, making child care affordable, raising wages, and ensuring that the human services sector has the resources needed to thrive. Read our full testimony at bit.ly/3D506TF

A recent?New York Magazine article: bit.ly/4hVf4u9 exposes the reality of NYC living: Generational wealth is often essential for economic security, and without this secret stash of family funds, home ownership, childcare, retirement, and financial well-being will always remain out of reach. Our TCES report confirms these key findings. Swipe to learn more and explore the TCES measure at https://lnkd.in/eC3dBq5W. #EconomicSecurity National True Cost of Living Coalition

The Great Wealth Transfer, $124 trillion in assets that older generations will pass down over the next two decades, is already reshaping New York. And in a city where the cost of living is outpacing the salaries and resources that individuals & families need to live, that wealth transfer is what’s offsetting those growing costs for some. But for the 60% of New Yorkers living below the True Cost of Economic Security Measure, or what’s needed to not just survive but thrive, not having a padding for economic security means many are just able to get by month-to-month. “We are living in a city that assumes, requires, and depends on the idea that every salary be augmented by a secret stash of funds.” Check out the full article in New York Magazine: bit.ly/4hVf4u9 and visit https://lnkd.in/ehwcEhR7 to learn more about how we’re advocating to measure what matters so that all New Yorkers can live with dignity.

Jennifer Jones Austin tells Jeff Coltin at POLITICO that she's worried about the possibility of ramped up immigration enforcement. ?? Read the full story: bit.ly/42RPMZN