LIVE TAX THE RICH Protest Outside NY Gov’s Office

Over one million New Yorkers face the imminent threat of losing their healthcare coverage, with 500,000 on the Essential Plan at risk by July 1st. This crisis is attributed to federal cuts, specifically the 'one big beautiful bill,' and Governor Kathy Hochul's perceived inaction in filling the resulting budget gap. The cuts are projected to severely impact hospitals, potentially leading to curtailed services like maternity and psychiatric care, and even closures.

Zaz, an arrested protester, stated, 'Over a million New Yorkers are at risk of losing their health care because of the one big beautiful bill... 500,000 New Yorkers on the essential plan will lose their coverage on May 1st if lawmakers don't act.' (00:00:52, 00:02:51, 00:37:57). Analysis from the Greater New York Hospital Association estimates $8 billion in annual cuts to New York's hospitals and health systems (00:40:56).

The New York state budget is significantly delayed, over a month past its due date, which has also stalled the New York City budget. Critics allege that Governor Hochul is intentionally prolonging the budget process to aid her negotiations and avoid implementing taxes on the wealthy. She is accused of siding with billionaires and large corporations, who are benefiting from federal tax cuts, rather than addressing the needs of working-class New Yorkers.

A protester stated, 'right now the New York state budget is over a month late and Kathy Hokll is unilaterally holding up the budget process' (00:02:37). Later, it was noted, 'Kathy Hokll when asked about this had said, "What incentives do I have to rush the bill given that these delays can help with my negotiations?"' (00:24:50). Batul Assan, co-chair of the Tax the Rich campaign, highlighted that Hochul met with Citadel CEO Ken Griffin, a billionaire, instead of engaging with protesters (00:32:38).

Advocates are pushing for several tax measures to generate revenue, including the Corporate Fair Share Act to tax profitable corporations (expected to raise $1.7 billion), a pied-à-terre tax on luxury second homes, and a Pass-Through Entity (PTE) tax on hedge fund handouts. They dismiss concerns that these taxes would cause wealthy individuals to flee New York, citing a New Jersey study that showed no significant exodus after an income tax increase. Instead, they argue that working-class New Yorkers are the ones being forced out by the affordability crisis.

Senator Kristen Gonzalez introduced the Corporate Fair Share Act, stating it would raise '$1.7 billion' (00:17:23, 00:18:14). Regarding the 'rich flight' argument, Zaz countered, 'the reality is that the billionaires... they're not the ones getting pushed out of New York City... an excellent study... found is that um basically none of the rich people left.' (00:04:36, 00:05:08). Assembly Member Diana Moreno added, 'it is working families that are leaving the state, not millionaires and billionaires.' (00:22:05).