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The plan focuses on a foundation of four pillars: Educate New York 2020; House New York 2020; Work New York 2020, and Live New York 2020, and includes an agenda that builds upon the IDC’s efforts to address the needs of working- and middle-class New Yorkers.
Highlights of the proposals include the following:
- A new, 12-week paid family leave proposal that will ensure New York’s workforce finally can afford to take needed time to welcome a child into the world or care for an ill-loved one.
- The creation of the “50-hour learning week” by investing $550 million in after-school programs, the support of existing Community Learning Schools and the development of 400 new Community Learning Schools, as well as a Kindergarten Fund financed by unclaimed lottery money.
- The development of an innovative zero-interest college loan program to keep college students out of the red. College graduates in New York State are strapped with an average $26,000 debt.
- The creation of the Public Housing Revitalization Fund to administer state grants for critical repairs in NYCHA developments. Building on last year’s $100 million commitment from the state, the IDC calls for another $100 million in state funding
- Raising the wage for caretakers to $15 an hour will ensure that we care for those who take care of our loved ones.
"The IDC’s blueprints will build up this state over the next four years to enhance the lives of people in every corner of this state through paid family leave, enriching after-school activities, zero-interest loans to leave our college students debt-free, middle-class affordable housing, NYCHA revitalization and protections for our seniors, to name a few. Together we can and will create a better New York,” said State Sen.Jeff Klein (D-Bronx/Westchester), leader of the Independent Democratic Conference.
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