Friday, September 2, 2022

Featured Advocacy

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Updated April 5, 2024

ELECTION SEASON RESOURCES

For Individuals

Find your poll site and review a sample ballot.

Review frequently asked questions about voting in NYC.

Review the Ballot measure Equal Protection of Law Amendment.

For Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofit VOTE’s webinar, “Getting a Head Start: Planning Your Voter Outreach for 2024” can help you incorporate voter engagement into your 2024 advocacy plan (slides available).

Check out NonprofitVOTE’s Webinar: Staying Nonpartisan Guidelines for 501c3 Voter Engagement Activities.

ACTIONABLE ITEMS

NY State Budget

Thank your representatives for investing in arts and culture in this year's budget.

NYC Cultural Development Fund Restoration

Sign the Cultural Equity Coalition's open letter to Mayor Adams highlighting the need to restore funds for the Cultural Development Fund program groups.

NYC Arts Education

Use NYC Arts Education Roundtable's Template to contact your representatives in support of Assembly Bill 1502 and Senate Bill S285, which would make arts education a part of the core curriculum for public school students.

Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act

Sign on to endorse the Nonprofit Sector Strength and Partnership Act, which would establish structures and policies that deepen the relationship between government and nonprofits. Learn more about the bill, review and share the info sheet, and advocate to your community through the A Seat at the Table campaign.

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

Sign on to Grantmakers in the Arts’ endorsement of the bipartisan Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act (S.1696 / H.R. 3482) which would provide much-needed access to health care coverage and retirement benefits for those who do gig work, freelance, or independent contracting jobs.

Employee Retention Credit Survey

Fill out The Coalition to Preserve American Jobs survey to share your experiences with the The Employee Retention Credit (ERC) as a business or organization. ERC offers a refundable payroll tax credit for eligible businesses and tax-exempt organizations to retain employee wages and benefits. However, the IRS unilaterally suspended ERC claims processing in September of 2023, and Congress is considering shutting down the program as part of a larger tax program.

Charitable Act

Email your representatives to support the Charitable Act (S. 566 / H.R. 3435). The bill would extend the deduction for charitable contributions for individuals not itemizing deductions, encouraging charitable giving among moderate-income individuals.

NYC Budget Transparency + Advocacy

Sign Nonprofit New York's open letter calling on the NYC Government to remove the arbitrary 15% budget cut directive, increase transparency in budget planning, and include nonprofits in the budget planning process.

• Read Dance’ NYC’s Testimony to the Cultural Affairs Committee Preliminary Budget Hearing.

Support New Zoning Proposal to End Dancing Ban in NYC

Sign the Legalize Dance petition support the end to discriminatory zoning laws that prohibit dancing in many NYC venues.

• Read more on the Mayor’s City of Yes initiative to reform city zoning laws.
• Read Dance/NYC’s Testimony to City Planning Commission Public Hearing on Zoning for Economic Opportunity on January 24, 2024.

Support the Campaign for New York Health

Volunteer with the Campaign for New York Health to help pass The New York Health Act (A07897 / S7590). The legislation proposes to provide comprehensive health coverage for every resident or full-time worker in New York.

Coverage for All

Sign the Coverage for All petition use the template to call or email your representatives. Coverage For All (A3020B / S2237B ) would expand health care coverage to New York residents regardless of their immigration status. The measure would create a state-funded health coverage option for New York state residents who earn up to 200% of the federal poverty line and include undocumented residents.

ADVOCACY UPDATES: BILLS PASSED

Freelance Worker Protections

In 2017, NYC enacted the Freelance isn’t Free Act, which establishes freelance workers’ rights to a written contract, timely and full payment, and protection from retaliation. In 2023, a NY statewide version of this legislation was also passed.

• Review the full text of the statewide “Freelance Isn’t Free” Act.
• Check out WorkMade’s primer on the statewide law on Instagram.
• Review your rights as a freelance worker in NYC.
• Read The Freelancers Union guide filing a nonpayment claim with the NYC Department of Consumer Affairs.
• Read the city’s 5-Year Report on the effectiveness of the legislation.

In January 2024, New York Passed the Secure Savings Program for Freelancers (S2399 / A4529), which authorizes freelancers and self-employed individuals the option of enrolling in a secure choice savings program.

New York Minimum Wage Increase

New York’s minimum wage has increased for three years with subsequent increases tied to inflation. On January 1, 2024, the minimum wage increased to $16 in New York City and the counties of Nassau, Suffolk and Westchester, and to $15 in all other parts of the State.

• Review press release on historic agreement to raise NY minimum wage.
• Learn more about New York State’s minimum wage.
• Check out history of New York State minimum wage.

Job Listing Transparency

In 2022, The New York City Council voted to adopt Int. 1208, which mandates employers to include in job listings the minimum and maximum salary offered for any position located within New York City. The law went into effect September 2023. Violations constitute an unlawful and discriminatory practice and can be reported to the NYC Human Rights Commission.

• Learn more about the law and its effects on bridging inequities.