Queens progressives rally in Astoria for budget goals
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Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was among the officials calling for a slew of progressive budget items in Astoria on Wednesday night. Photo from Housing Justice 4 All
By Ryan Schwach
In the midst of budget fights at both the city and state levels, progressive elected officials from around Queens rallied in Astoria on Wednesday to push for the inclusion of a number of progressive causes in New York’s fiscal documents.
Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Councilmembers Tiffany Cabán and Julie Won, Assemblymembers Zohran Mamdani and Ron Kim and State Senators Kristen Gonzalez and Julia Salazar rallied for Good Cause Eviction, reform at Rikers Island, the environment and public housing on Wednesday night in Athens Square.
Their rally was held in the neighborhood where residents are represented by Democratic Socialists of America-backed officials at every level of government.
“Progressive representation actually means something,” Ocasio-Cortez said. “It means commitments to our issues, commitments to the working class, commitments to a livable New York.”
The progressives argued against budget moves made by more center-leaning Democrats, including Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, including proposed cuts to schools and libraries, and pushes to rollback the state’s bail and discovery reforms.
They also argued for a number of issues that they believe should be included in the budgets, but currently are not.
“Our movement is creating a vision for this state that doesn't rely on fossil fuel infrastructure, that protects renters and the working class, and that prioritizes equity over the needs of the one percent,” said Gonzalez. “We invite all Albany leaders to join us in this vision.”
One of the main policies advocated for on Wednesday was Good Cause Eviction, which would require that landlords provide a good cause, such as not paying rent or damaging the property, when attempting to evict tenants or raise rent.
“We are experiencing levels of housing insecurity and homelessness, unlike those that we have seen in many, many years,” AOC said. “Homelessness, we know is actually not a profound mystery. It has to do with the cost of housing. And the more that the cost of rent and housing skyrocket, the more we're going to see runaway levels of homelessness in the United States and in New York State specifically.”
“We are fighting for people to stay in their home whether they own it, whether they rent it or they're in a shelter, we're fighting for them to have the peace of mind to know that they are safe, they are secure and that their lives are being fought for,” added Mamdani.
AOC specifically took aim at Rikers Island, which is within her district, and which she called “one of the greatest human rights crisis sites in the United States.”
The officials argue that rising rents and homelessness has been an issue harming working class New Yorkers, and isn't a priority in the governor and mayor’s budgets.
“It's become abundantly clear that there are two competing visions for what the future of New York would look like,” Gonzalez said. “One vision that's led by the governor and profit and corporations, and another vision that's led by every day New Yorkers like us, by our movement, by people.”
Mamdani echoed a similar sentiment.
“We have a governor who is saying that we can leave homeless New Yorkers behind,” he said. “We have a governor who is saying that the housing crisis can be solved when units come online in 10 years. We know that people who are in crisis today are in crisis right now.”
Hochul recently delayed the deadline for the state’s budget, which was originally due on April 1. Negotiations have largely been held up by the governor’s proposal to strip the state’s “least restrictive means” clause, which currently requires that judges consider the least restrictive means when deciding whether or not a defendant should be remanded, released or have bail set against them pretrial.
The city’s budget is due July 1.
