14-State National Campaign Began in NY’s 17th District as Part of Grassroots Effort to Stop GOP’s Devastating Federal Budget + Tax Bill

The more the American public knows what's in this bill, the more we have a chance to defeat it.” - Fair Share America Executive Director Kristen Crowell at the tour kick-off

Croton-on-Hudson, NY – Fair Share America, Invest in Our New York (IONY), Unrig Our Economy and partners* launched the “Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” national bus tour with a kickoff event at the Croton-Harmon Train Station in New York’s 17th Congressional District this morning. Local residents rallied together against the devastating impacts of the GOP’s federal budget and tax proposal on New York’s families, communities, and economy.

The 45-foot tour bus, wrapped in a giant trillion-dollar bill, began its three-week, 14-state journey in New York to send one clear message: working-class families should not have to pay the price so billionaires and big corporations can get more tax breaks.

To request photos or video from the event email kristin@fairshareusa.org.

At the first tour stop in Croton-on-Hudson, the crowd of local residents heard from Fair Share America Executive Director Kristen Crowell:

“We've seen what the billionaire and the rich have done with rigging an economy that has driven up the cost of day to day things, groceries, rent, housing. We already are stretched, and if this bill goes through more cuts to things like health care will further cost us, and right now, we are stretched so thin we cannot afford any more handouts to the billionaires…The more the American public knows what's in this bill, the more we have a chance to defeat it.”

“This is not a question of politics or ideology… The one big, beautiful Bill threatens to do the clean energy provisions of the IRA inflation Reduction Act, and studies show that that will increase the average home energy bill by $400 annually within the decade. That is an increase that working Americans cannot afford,” said Croton-On-Hudson Mayor Brian Pugh.

Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg (District 95) recounted how Representative Mike Lawler told her directly he would not support cuts to Medicaid and then turned around and voted for cuts. “If this legislation passes, this state would lose billions of dollars in federal funding, while at the same time being burdened with massive new administrative costs to implement work requirements for [Medicaid] benefits, which do not increase employment rates, but do cause people to lose coverage,” said Levenberg.

Local labor turned out and spoke out. Kevin Sheil, President of CWA Local 1103, warned how the bill could shutter local hospitals and deprive people of care: “We will share in the misery when our friends, family and neighbors are denied benefits that they are qualified to receive, because if Mike Lawler continues to vote to cut Medicaid, it will have disastrous effects on our local community hospitals that we all rely on today.”

Kara McCormick Lyons, President of the White Plains Teachers Association and a Vice President of the American Federation of Teachers, shared how the kids at the middle school where she teaches benefit from school breakfasts for both nourishment and community. Funding for school meals would be lost if the bill passes; 18 million kids would lose out. “$290 billion from SNAP. That's literally snatching food off the table of working people,” she emphasized.

Joe Mayhew, Secretary & Treasurer for CWA Local 1103 and an Airforce Veteran illustrated the senselessness of the bill’s Medicaid work requirements: “a veteran who served his country came home and lost their job at no fault of their own, would not be eligible for Medicaid. Is that fair? Is that just? Is that humane?”

Rochelle Bonner, a resident of Peekskill, NY, and member of the organization Empire State Voices spoke emotionally about her reliance on Medicaid to treat arthritis and a heart condition. “On top of this,” Bonner said, “my daughter relies on Medicaid to help pay for her asthma prescription drugs, like so many millions of Americans. If Medicaid is cut, it will be extremely difficult for me to pay my medical bills and take care of my family.”

102-year-old retired teacher and local resident Diane “Dee” Volz described listening as a child to FDR’s Fireside Chats and hearing about a new program to help seniors live with dignity, Social Security. Mary Clooney Cohen is one of those seniors today. She spoke about how DOGE’s messing with Social Security puts her and her ability to pay her rent at risk.

“I just ask everybody to call representative Lawler and tell him to fight for Medicaid like he's fighting for SALT,” Volz said.

Closing the event was Jhefres Reyes, an immigrant and community organizer with We Make the Road, who feels that instead of “We the People,” the government increasingly fights for “We the Billionaires.”

The rally was led by Isaiah Fenichel with the organization Citizen Action NY.

This morning's kick off event and rally followed a number of local protests and events held to urge Representative Mike Lawler’s (R-NY-17) to align with his constituents and vote against the reconciliation bill.

Our event partners included: Invest in Our New York, Empire State Voices, Make the Road NY, NYS United Teachers Union, CWA Local 1103, New York Communities for Change, Citizen Action NY.

To request video or photos from the event or to set up an interview, please contact Kristin@fairshareusa.org or Ashley@fairshareusa.org.

Follow the “Stop the Billionaire Giveaway” bus online and on social media: @FairShare_USA on X and @FairShareAmerica (FB, IG, BS, Threads).