Women in New York State continue to face disproportionate rates of poverty and gender-based violence. As the cost of living rises, affordability disproportionately impacts women—women are 79% more likely to live in poverty than White men. We must strengthen protections for those who are most vulnerable in the workplace, which includes women of color and immigrant women.

For the upcoming 2025–2026 budget proposal, we highlight some of our labor priorities that should be included in the budget:

1. Increase funding for critical state agencies
2. Advance pay equity through increased pay transparency
3. Establish meaningful paid medical leave for individuals’ own medical conditions
4. Build a care economy with a universal childcare model
5. Value “women’s work”
6. Expand workplace protections for survivors of gender-based violence