In response to the final FY2026 New York State budget, Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis and Rev. West McNeill of the Kairos Center criticized the state’s failure to fully act on urgent anti-poverty recommendations. While acknowledging modest gains—like an expanded child tax credit and a pilot housing voucher program—they emphasized that the budget falls short of addressing the scale of need and leaves New Yorkers more vulnerable to federal cuts. They urge ongoing public pressure to hold leaders accountable and call for taxing the ultra-wealthy to protect essential social programs.