June 2023 Newsletter
June has been a HUGE month at For the Many – we ended the legislative session with an important criminal justice victory, we went all in to elect our endorsed local candidates, we passed a rent freeze in Kingston, AND we raised $126,170 during our grassroots fundraising drive!
We’ll jump straight into these exciting updates below. And if you’ve been wanting to get more involved with our work, you should join our Virtual Welcome Meeting on Wednesday, June 28 from 7-8pm!
End of Session
Despite Democratic supermajorities and a housing crisis that threatens families across the state, Governor Hochul and the state legislature have failed (yet again) to pass Good Cause Eviction. However, we were able to help secure a major victory at the end of session for stronger and safer communities, by helping pass the Clean Slate Act.
Clean Slate will automatically seal criminal records three years after sentencing for a misdemeanor, and eight years after a person is released from prison for a felony conviction. Clean Slate puts into practice what Black and brown New Yorkers already know—that instead of escalating a racist carceral system, we should instead address the causes of crime, and reintegrate folks with conviction histories back into our communities.
Next year is an election year for the state legislature. Voters will be looking for leaders like our endorsed candidate for Assembly District 106, Claire Cousin, who has been at the frontlines of the fight for Good Cause Eviction and Clean Slate, and vote out those who fail to fight for them.
Local Elections
We’ve been knocking doors in Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, and Kingston all month to elect our endorsed candidates to local office! We’re endorsing candidates in these local races because we need champions who will fight for our priorities, like expanding rent stabilization, fighting for affordable housing, and passing our Homes Are Not Hotels laws.
Celebrations
Thanks to tenant organizing, the Kingston Rent Guidelines Board voted for a RENT FREEZE for one and two year leases in rent stabilized buildings starting October 1! Dozens of tenants testified in support, including our member Charlotte Lloyd, who is running for Kingston Common Council to fight for tenant protections and housing we can all afford.
Aaand we couldn’t miss a chance to shout out all our incredible fundraising team volunteers and donors who helped us raise $126,170 in just one week!
Our grassroots fundraising drive is an essential part of building a sustainable, people-powered movement, and we’re so grateful to everyone who pitched in their time and money to make it happen.
