A recording of the event is available on the Senator’s YouTube channel here.

NEW YORK, NY – On Monday, October 6th, New York State Senator Kristen Gonzalez (SD59) held a virtual town hall, “Federal Budget Cuts: What We Can Do,” bringing together more than a hundred constituents, grassroots organizers, and community partners to confront the real and immediate impacts of a fascist federal government that continuously disregards the needs of working class people. 

In the wake of a federal government shutdown and the budget reconciliation bill that federal Republicans passed earlier this summer, essential programs like housing and healthcare, as well as food benefits like SNAP, are being threatened. Senator Gonzalez provided updates on how Albany can respond, how her office is fighting for working class New Yorkers, and how communities can organize to resist overreach at the federal level. 

“We can’t let these harmful budget cuts and shut down devastate New York families and communities,” said Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “We have a responsibility as legislators to do everything we can to mitigate these cuts, and we’re grateful to so many in our community who came out tonight to learn more about how we can fight back in Albany and how they can help us. When we fight together, we win.”

During the 90-minute event, panelists from partner organizations, including Melanie Dulfo, Director of Community Health Education at APICHA , Natalie Gomez-Velez, Dean of the CUNY School of Law, Liz Moran, New York Policy Advocate at Earth Justice, and Jen Hernandez with Make the Road NY joined Senator Gonzalez to break down how federal cuts will disproportionately hurt low-income New Yorkers, public housing residents, undocumented communities, and small businesses. 

Despite the government shutdown in Washington, the Senator made clear that her office will continue to provide constituent services without interruption—and will expand partnerships with mutual aid and CBOs to fill gaps where the federal government has failed.

“We are not powerless,” Senator Gonzalez said. “I’m committed to working with the Governor, and my colleagues at the federal, state, and city legislatures to be a pillar against fascism and greed. That means we must be bold and we must be deeply rooted in the needs of our communities.”

Following the virtual town hall, Senator Gonzalez stayed on for an extended Q&A session with members of the press and emphasized her commitment to transparency and collaboration with the people she serves.