CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org, 203 470 9979 GOV. HOCHUL’S STATE OF THE STATE: MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS ARE NOT HER FAMILY OR HER FIGHT See VOCAL-NY’s 2026 Legislative Platform Here VOCAL-NY Leaders Watched the Address From Brooklyn and Rochester NEW YORK — Today, in response to Governor Hochul 2026 State of the State Address, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable […]
This legislative session opens under the shadow of severe federal cuts to housing, healthcare, and food assistance — decisions that will deepen inequality and worsen homelessness, overdose deaths, and poverty across New York. Meeting this moment requires more than opposing federal attacks; it demands bold, coordinated action to ensure housing, healthcare, economic security, and dignity
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, August 14, 2025 CONTACT Jasmine Budnella, jasmine@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO MAYOR ADAMS PLAN TO ADDRESS THE OVERDOSE CRISIS AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER NEW YORK, N.Y. — Today, Mayor Adams announced a multi-layered plan with dedicated funding to address substance use disorder. The plan includes multiple evidence-based public health policies to address
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO STATE OF THE STATE: AFFORDABILITY, COMPASSION AND SAFETY FOR WHOM? See VOCAL-NY’s 2025 State Legislative Platform Here NEW YORK — Today, Governor Hochul gave her 2025 State of the State address, laying out priorities like affordability and public safety. In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to
VOCAL-NY Responds to State of the State: Affordability, Compassion and Safety for Whom? Read More »
Effective Solutions to Immediately Address the Ongoing Humanitarian and Political Crises of Homelessness, Substance Use, and Public Safety The intersecting issues of homelessness, the overdose crisis, and unmet mental health needs continue to impact an ever-growing number of New Yorkers, causing a humanitarian crisis across New York State. Our lawmakers continue to lean on rhetoric
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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org IN RESPONSE TO CHAOS AT THE TOP OF ADAMS ADMINISTRATION, VOCAL-NY CALLS FOR MAYOR TO RESIGN NEW YORK — Following the rapidly decreasing capacity of the City government to meet the needs of the City’s most vulnerable residents due to ongoing chaos at City Hall and the mass exodus of administration leaders, VOCAL-NY
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org NEW ANNUAL REPORT: VOCAL-NY HIGHLIGHTS 2023 DEVELOPMENTS AND ACHIEVEMENTS IN FIGHT TO END THE AIDS EPIDEMIC, THE WAR ON DRUGS, MASS INCARCERATION, AND HOMELESSNESS NEW YORK — VOCAL-NY announces the release of its 2023 Annual Report showcasing the tireless work of members, leaders, staff, and partners in building power and a world with justice, compassion,
With an unpredictable drug supply that underscores a surge in preventable overdoses, we urge lawmakers to pass the critical Drug Checking Services Bill (S4880/A7487) to ensure that New York remains proactive and rooted in education, public health, and community care to save lives in the midst of the state’s unrelenting overdose crisis. See Full Letter
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CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY APPLAUDS SENATE HEALTH COMMITTEE PASSING DRUG CHECKING SERVICES LEGISLATION ALBANY, N.Y. — Today, the Senate Health Committee passed Senator Fernandez’s drug checking services bill (S4880). In response, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Hiawatha Collins, leader with the Users Union and Board Member at VOCAL-NY: “Unlike the governor –
VOCAL-NY Applauds Senate Health Committee Passing Drug Checking Services Legislation Read More »
CONTACT: Mariah McGough, mariah@vocal-ny.org VOCAL-NY RESPONDS TO ONE HOUSE BUDGETS; CALL ON ASSEMBLY TO FOLLOW SENATE’S LEAD AND CENTER MARGINALIZED NEW YORKERS NEW YORK — Today, in response to the release of one-house budgets by the New York State Senate and Assembly, VOCAL-NY released the following statement, attributable to Reginald Thomas Brown, VOCAL-NY Leader and
