Labor-Religion Coalition hopes for a 'moral budget'
By MATTHEW L. McKIBBEN
Faith leaders and members of their congregations are calling on lawmakers to enact a budget on April 1 that closes what they call a growing income inequality gap in the state.
Monday March 3 marked the first Moral Monday vigil, organized by Faith for a Fair New York, in which speakers criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo for not proposing a "moral budget".
Faith for a Fair New York – a project of the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State – is a group made up of people with strong religious convictions, faith-based organizations, and statewide faith institutions looking to gain social and economic justice by rounding up community support and forming coalitions to pressure lawmakers in Albany. Moral Mondays will continue every Monday throughout March until the budget is passed. A concurrent vigil will be held in New York City outside the Governor's Manhattan office.
Sara Niccoli, executive director of the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State, says the Executive Budget includes $2 billion in tax cuts that will negatively impact public services including public school and government services.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/Articles-Top-Stories-c-2014-03-03-87030.113122-LaborReligion-Coalition-hopes-for-a-moral-budget.html