1. United States
2. N.Y.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned resident who values our state’s commitment to protecting civil rights, public health, and the environment. With Trump’s return to the White House in January, I am deeply concerned about the federal policies that could threaten the progress we’ve made in NY. California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent decision to call a special session to pass protections is a model of the proactive approach needed to shield our residents from Trump’s dangerous agenda. As you know, Trump's policies will likely bring aggressive rollbacks on reproductive rights, climate regulations, healthcare, and LGBTQ+ protections. These attacks will disproportionately impact blue states like ours. Please consider these actions to safeguard our state: 1. Call a special legislative session to address the critical threat posed by Trump’s policies. This session should prioritize measures to protect our residents’ rights, health, and safety from federal overreach. 2. Create a state-funded legal defense fund to defend our state’s progressive policies against Trump’s administration. This fund could support legal battles on issues like reproductive healthcare, environmental protection, and civil rights. 3. Form regional compacts with like-minded states to create a united front on climate policy, civil rights, and labor standards, showing that our values cannot be undermined by Trump’s administration. 4. Adopt “Race-to-the-Top” standards in areas like labor rights, renewable energy, and environmental protections. These policies not only benefit our residents but also set a national example, demonstrating that our state will stand firm against Trump’s regressive policies. 5. Enact protections for out-of-state visitors seeking essential services: Pass laws that extend protections to individuals traveling to New York from states where services, such as reproductive healthcare and gender-affirming care, may be restricted under Trump’s policies. This step would reinforce our commitment to civil rights and bodily autonomy, creating a safe haven for those affected by oppressive federal policies. 6. Utilize state contracts and investments to support our values to promote civil rights, environmental responsibility, and fair labor practices. By prioritizing companies that align with progressive values and refusing contracts with those that support Trump’s harmful policies, our state can send a powerful message of resistance. Governor Hochul, with your leadership, our state can be a powerful counterforce against a federal government that threatens our most fundamental rights and protections. I am hopeful that you will take these actions to protect New York. Thank you for your dedication to safeguarding our values and for taking steps to protect our community in the face of a second Trump administration. I look forward to seeing our state take bold, protective actions to uphold the rights and freedoms that are essential to our future.