Issue Position: Strengthening Middle Class Families

Issue Position

Tim helped to decrease tax rates on the middle class to the lowest in sixty years
Homeownership for too long has seemed unattainable for middle class families he found the funding to make it possible for them once again.
When the State Department of Education hastily rolled out the Common Core and negatively impacted students across New York Tim was a leading voice in the call to slow the rollout down and get it right.
He helped develop a valuable new online tool which will allow parents to more easily access and find afterschool and summer learning programs for their children

It is no secret New York State has some of the highest taxes in the nation. That is why Tim Kennedy helped pass a property tax cap to give much-needed relief to WNY homeowners. And this year Tim Kennedy worked with Governor Cuomo to freeze property taxes, providing direct tax relief for Middle Class families. This plan will help reduce the tax burden that has been weighing down on New York's families and businesses. It's a comprehensive, aggressive and responsible first step toward changing our state's tax climate.

Homeownership is at the heart of the American dream, and for too long it has been inaccessible for middle class families. Tim believes every hardworking family deserves the opportunity to make that dream a reality, which is why he helped secure a major state grant from New York State Affordable Housing Corporation to help with the rehabilitation of five vacant homes on Buffalo's West Side. This project will not only help to revitalize the surrounding neighborhood but it will provide all families with the opportunity to purchase and take pride in their own home.

Making our middle class stronger starts with making sure our education system is providing our children with the tools and resources they need to be successful. Tim has been a champion for education. When it was clear the rollout of the Common Core was causing more harm than good in our schools he called on the New York State Department of Education to slow down the implementation in order to make sure it is done in the right way.

For many years we have seen the State's education funding slashed and whittled away. Tim knows that funding for education is vital which is why he voted against a proposed budget this year that failed to give schools the funding they needed. With Tim's help, education funding was increased exponentially, giving Western New York schools the support they need.

Tim knows that educating our children must expand beyond to school day, which is why he has always been a fierce advocate for afterschool programming. He faught for additional funds to open more local afterschool programs and established a new online tool to help parents across New York State find the right afterschool and summer learning programs for their children. Tim understands that hardworking families need these resources to ensure their children get the most from their education both in and out of school.

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