The 2016 agenda for the Independent Democratic Conference in the Senate includes plans to alleviate student debt, create a dedicated fund for full-day kindergarten programs in the state and expand affordable housing programs in New York City.
The proposal, called New York 2020, is broken down on four different areas, said IDC Leader Jeff Klein, a Bronx lawmaker, covering education, housing working and living issues.
In a phone interview, Klein said the agenda builds on measures he’s pushed for in the past legislative sessions, including paid family leave for up to 12 weeks, plus an expansion of affordable housing money aimed at middle-income families as well as pushing the New York City Housing Authority to spend more on repairing existing structures.
At the same time, Klein wants to expand community schools outside of New York City by 400. The schools provide community support services and adult education programs in addition to the traditional classroom environment.
Klein wants to spend $500 million on a zero-interest loan program for New York students who attend private or public schools in the state, along with a $550 million after-school program fund.
He also wants $700 million for the Mitchell-Lama Housing Program in New York City to address needed repairs, which is part of a similar proposal he made last year.
“There are more strings attached to the program,” Klein said, adding the money would be allocated with an eye toward speeding up the repair process.
The IDC proposal is also pushing a tax credit to make day care more affordable, along with requiring New York City and the Office of Children and Family Services issue letter grades for safety of day care facilities and programs.
“We want to make sure day care is not only affordable, but also that it’s safe,” he said.
A program to help seniors afford heating bills would be created, with an income ceiling of $55,000 and utility bills starting at $650 and more. And, in another measure aimed at seniors, Klein backs the creation of a utility consumer advocate, which has been pushed for the AARP in recent sessions with little success.