Criminal Justice Changes in New York’s Budget
New York’s legislature finally passed a state budget, more than a week late because Governor Kathy Hochul, at the 11th hour, proposed a sweeping incarceration plan. Groups across the state, including Katal, fought back. Through protest actions, lobby days in Albany, phone zaps, social media pushes, online action tools, and more, we demanded legislators to reject the fearmongering and racial hysteria that was driving Hochul’s outrageous proposal.
The legislature did adopt some rollbacks to bail and discovery reforms, which will lead to more people in New York being subject to pretrial incarceration. But thanks to collective organizing across the state, the worst aspects of the governor’s proposal were avoided.
The changes never should have been considered in the first place. As the Data Collaborative for Justice at John Jay College rightfully said in a New York Focus article about the budget, “The rollbacks are ‘non-evidence-based,’ as there is no solid evidence that bail reform has led to increased crime.”
Stopping Hochul’s incarceration plan was a movement victory. And there were other important wins in the budget, too. After a near 30 year fight, the legislature finally ended the ban on TAP financial aid for incarcerated people. We congratulate all the organizers and advocates that worked to make this victory possible!
Several other important reforms — including Clean Slate, End Qualified Immunity, Elder Parole, and Fair and Timely Parole, more — did not make it in the budget and still need to get passed this session. To learn more about these campaigns from the groups leading them, join us for an upcoming statewide criminal justice reform call (details below)
Today’s NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call
Today’s NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call, 4.14.22
Today, nearly 80 people joined us for the Monthly NY Statewide Criminal Justice Reform Call. The discussion focused on the recently passed budget and what it means for criminal justice reform in New York. As usual, the lobbyist provided a political summary of the budget process, and guest presenters provided in-depth summaries of the bail and discovery rollbacks. We also took a moment to celebrate TAP being restored and shared updates and actions steps to get involved with Clean Slate NY and End Qualified Immunity NY. Want the notes from the call? Sign up!
Our next call is May 12th, and this will be our last call before the end of the 2022 legislative session. You won’t want to miss it! Register here to join us on Thursday, May 12 from 12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Upcoming #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update Call
Join us next Tuesday, April 19 from 2:30 – 3:30 p.m. for our next #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update call. Register to join us!
This is an important call as it will focus on the proposed regulations put for by the Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS), related to Less Is More. As written,it’s clear DOCCS is attempting to skirt the law and subvert its intent.
Join us on Tuesday to hear about action steps people can take to stop DOCCS from undermining both the letter and spirit of Less Is More.
If you have any questions about the #LessIsMoreNY Campaign Update call, please contact Melanie Dominguez at Melanie@katalcenter.org.
We’re hiring – NYC Community Organizer
We’re hiring for a community organizer in New York. This is a great opportunity for organizers who want to join a stellar organizing team focused on:
- Building collective power
- Advancing racial justice
- Developing the leadership of neighborhood residents
Click here for more info and to apply for the New York Community Organizer Position!
Katal Quotes of the Week
These are some of the quotes we’re thinking about this week.
“We committed ourselves to transformational organizing, which does not mainly denounce and protest oppression or mobilize Americans to struggle for more material things, but challenges us as Americans to evolve or transform ourselves into more human human beings.” –Grace Lee Boggs, “Organization Means Commitment
“I am always hoping to do better than to collaborate with whatever or whomever it is that means me no good.” –June Jordan
“When one dreams alone, it is only a dream. When many people dream together, it is the beginning of a new reality.” –Friedensreich Hundertwasser
For printing and distribution, Katal Weekly Update PDF version.
Katal works to strengthen the people, policies, institutions, and movements that advance equity, health, and justice. Join us: web, Twitter, Facebook! Email: info@katalcenter.org. Phone: 646.875.8822.
