New York Business And Civic Leaders Unite In Support Of NYC’s Federal Agenda

Today The Partnership for NYC convened prominent business and civic leaders to urge their advocacy for the city’s federal agenda.

Including increased federal aid to deal with the migrant crisis, the shortage of affordable housing, and upgrading aging infrastructure.

The meeting took place at the Rainbow Room at Rockefeller Center and was hosted by Partnership Co-chairs Rob Speyer, CEO of Tishman Speyer, and Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman & CEO of Pfizer.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and New York City Mayor Eric Adams addressed the group and expressed unified support for advancing the city’s agenda in Washington D.C.

Each attendee received a personalized wallet card that summarizes the mayor and governor’s top five federal priorities for New York City. Attendees were encouraged to recite the priorities listed on the card each time a political candidate seeks their support.

The priorities included on the card are:

• Asylum: Take responsibility for managing the national migrant emergency, including expedited work authorization; funding a fair share of costs ($12+ billion in NYC alone); a border strategy that better controls entry and spreads asylum seekers across the nation; and bipartisan immigration reform.

• Housing: Expand Section 8 housing vouchers, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, and tax-exempt private activity bonds to address the affordable housing crisis; support the $50 billion capital needs of NYC’s aging federal public housing inventory.

• Infrastructure: Continue support for mass transit and prioritize $4 billion in competitive infrastructure grants to upgrade roads and bridges, prepare for climate threats, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the nation’s business and financial capital.

• Taxes: Eliminate the $10,000 cap on SALT deductions so New York can continue to attract and retain the talent required to support the nation’s largest and most productive urban economy.

• Workforce: Expand flexible funding for education and workforce training to close the skills gap and encourage employer investment in apprenticeships, internships, and wraparound services.

“I thank the Partnership for New York City for convening such an important gathering to address the challenges and opportunities facing New York,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “The city we love has faced many crises in recent history, from 9/11 to the Great Recession to Superstorm Sandy and the COVID-19 pandemic, and every single time, we have emerged stronger. Employment is up, inflation is coming down, and — from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to the American Rescue Plan to CHIPs and Science and the Inflation Reduction Act — we have passed numerous new laws in the Senate that are delivering tens of billions of federal dollars to New York City and State. From affordable housing to mass transit infrastructure to building the workforce of the future, I believe this moment will allow us to confront and overcome our present challenges thanks to the strength and unity of our federal, state, and local officials, who together with the Partnership’s leaders and businesses are a formidable force driving our shared agenda in Washington.”

“I’m thrilled to join Senator Schumer, Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and the Partnership for New York City to discuss our work to help New York thrive and to ensure New York City continues to be the powerful economic driver that it is today. To accomplish our major goals, it’s vital that we continue working together as stewards for New York. This partnership has helped us expand our semiconductor manufacturing sector, develop clean energy solutions, support small businesses and encourage private investment, revitalize infrastructure, pass historic gun reforms, and so much more. I will continue working with our partners here today to build a brighter future for our city and state,” said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.

“As our state’s most pressing issues become matters of national importance, it has become clearer than ever that what’s good for New York is good for the country as a whole,” New York Governor Kathy Hochul said. “I am proud to work alongside the Partnership for New York City and officials at every level of government to continue pushing for federal action and ensuring that New York’s needs, priorities, and demands reach Washington.”

“The leaders who have the biggest microphones in our city, state, and country are speaking with one voice about what New Yorkers and our city needs,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “Infrastructure, asylum seekers, housing, the elimination of the cap on SALT deductions, and investments in education and workforce training is where we all agree. Uniting to move this essential agenda forward will keep our economic recovery strong and advance our ‘Working People’s Agenda.’ We are a ‘City of Yes’ — and we need to get to yes on these important issues, too.”

“New York City is a net contributor to the national economy and the federal Treasury, so we should expect that Washington D.C. officials from across the country are supportive of policies and programs that ensure the fiscal and economic well-being of New York and other major cities. That is the message we are asking New Yorkers to deliver to federal elected officials and candidates,” stated Partnership Co-chair Rob Speyer, CEO of Tishman Speyer.

“New York is at the forefront of new challenges, including the migrant influx, affordable housing shortage, climate change, and widening skills gap, which require businesses to join with our elected leaders to support the city’s agenda in Washington D.C. Our discussion today was a positive step forward.” stated Partnership Co-chair Dr. Albert Bourla, Chairman & CEO of Pfizer.

“Our city is at its strongest when its business, civic, labor, and elected leaders are in lockstep about the urgent priorities that directly affect the future of all New Yorkers,” said Kathryn Wylde, President & CEO of The Partnership for New York City. “Our discussion today affirmed a united agenda that must guide policymaking and deliver the resources that New York City needs.”

The Partnership for New York City

The Partnership for New York City represents the city’s business leaders and largest employers. We work with government, labor, and the nonprofit sector to promote economic growth and maintain the city’s prominence as a global center of economic opportunity, upward mobility, and innovation. The Partnership Fund for New York City contributes directly to projects that create jobs, improve economically distressed communities, and stimulate new business creation. Visit pfnyc.org to learn more.