City Bar Issues Statement Urging Enactment of Bail Reform, Early Voting and Reproductive Rights in Remaining Months of Session

This year’s New York State Budget proposed by Governor Cuomo contained an ambitious array of much needed reforms supported by the City Bar and many others. The Budget sought to enact bail reform to help fix New York’s two-tiered bail system, which jails thousands of New Yorkers each year solely because they are unable to pay for their freedom; to improve women’s access to comprehensive reproductive health policies which are outdated and at risk due to Federal actions; and to improve the administration of elections through early voting. We are disappointed that the final budget did not adopt these provisions. 

There is widespread support for these proposals. In fact, both the Governor and Assembly included versions of each of these reforms in their respective budget bills. Bail reform, women’s reproductive health and early voting should now be priorities to be addressed during the remainder of the Legislative Session. The City Bar looks forward to building on the momentum that was built around these issues during the budget process and working towards achieving their enactment.

About the Association
The New York City Bar Association, since its founding in 1870, has been dedicated to maintaining the high ethical standards of the legal profession, promoting reform of the law and access to justice, and providing service to the profession and the public. The Association, through its 24,000 members, continues to work for political, legal and social reform, while implementing innovative means to help the disadvantaged. Protecting the public’s welfare remains one of the Association’s highest priorities. www.nycbar.org