u/Jazzlike-Basis-302

So the big ask! First of all thanks to all who came out to the public forum at the Rensselaer County Legislature on Wednesday. Special shoutout to the folks from Indivisible Adirondack that came to stand with us. And of course have to recognize the wonderful Rensselaer County Women for Change who are great partners.
On Thursday, August 6 we need your support again. Come to the Troy City Council Public Forum on Local Law number 4. It would align Troy’s City Charter with NY State guidelines concerning emergency declarations. It would prevent situations like we experienced when the Mayor used an emergency to pay a bill that the Council had decided to put on hold.
It would be great to see you.

Today’s Times Union addresses Mayor Mantello’s State of Emergency.
Join us on Thursday, August 6, 6:30pm, Troy City Hall, 433 River St , 5th Floor. You can address the emergency yourself!
And, by the way, the sixty days are up on TPD’s audit of the effectiveness of the Flock devices. When do you think we will hear the results???

This Friday, May 29 at 11AM, join us at West Capitol Park in Albany, as part of the New York for All Coalition’s coordinated statewide day of action.

Across New York, coalition partners, community organizations, faith groups, Indivisible chapters, immigrant justice advocates, and allies are coming together with one message:

Finish the Job. Pass NY4All.

The recently negotiated immigration budget package made important progress — including ending formal 287(g) agreements and advancing major wins for Dignity Not Detention and other protections. But the core problem of informal collusion between local/state law enforcement and ICE/CBP remains unresolved.

Ending formal agreements is an important step, but it is not enough. New Yorkers still need clear protections that fully prohibit local and state law enforcement collaboration with ICE and CBP in all its forms. Families should not fear that a traffic stop, routine interaction, or call for help could lead to detention, deportation, or family separation.

That’s why we are rallying before the legislative session ends to urge Governor Hochul and the Legislature to return to Albany and finish the job by passing the New York for All Act (S2235/A3506).

Join us at West Capitol Park, State 85, S. Swan Street, Albany, NY 12210, and raise your voice:

NO LOOPHOLES

NO COLLUSION WITH ICE

PASS NY4ALL NOW

Bring signs. Bring friends. Bring your voice.

Together, we can demand real protections for immigrant New Yorkers and their families.

Yes, it’s that time again! Monthly membership meeting Sunday, May 31 at Christ Church United Methodist, 35 State Street, Troy, NY.
C’mon down! All are welcome!!!
#troynyindivisible

DE ICE Citizens Bank June 6, 2026
1440 Central Ave, Northway Mall
10 - 11 am
Join Greater Capital Region Coalition and thousands of people across the country on Saturday, June 6th to send Citizens Bank a clear message: financing private prison and immigration detention facility operators The GEO Group and CoreCivic is bad for business.

Please bring signs specific to this action: De-ICE Citizens Bank; Cages Aren't Communities; Citizens Bank - Stop Financing ICE Prisons; Citizens Bank + ICE = Human Rights Abuse; ICE Prisons Don't Strengthen Our Communities; Citizens Bank - Cut Ties With ICE Prisons; etc.

Citizens Bank is bankrolling the country’s two largest prison companies that are earning record profits operating dozens of ICE detention facilities. While most major banks have cut ties with CoreCivic and The GEO Group, Citizens Bank is deepening its financial support for these companies, which are already holding more than half of the 70,000 immigrants currently in ICE detention centers across the country.

The bank’s capital is supporting a deplorable ICE agenda that aims to fill detention centers with more than 100,000 people by next year. Even as it publicly touts its commitment to “strengthening our communities,” Citizens Bank has played a key role in helping The GEO Group and CoreCivic access more than $2.5 billion in financing, some of it approved earlier this year. This comes as the companies face a mountain of allegations, including forced labor and wrongful deaths due to understaffing and medical neglect at their facilities.

We won't quietly stand by as Citizens continues to finance the private prison & ICE detention companies that are harming our communities. The 2019 exodus of banks from the industry in response to activism should be a reminder to us that our voices matter. Now it's time to use them. Visit www.de-icecitizensbank.org for more information and other actions you can take!

Remember, we want to be in solidarity with workers including bank branch employees. Treat everyone with respect and do not harass or film employees.

A core principle behind all Coalition events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values. We expect hosts to ensure all participants in your event uphold this commitment. We recommend all participants review a safety and security resource before your event, such as https://indivisi.org/safety.

TROY NY , SCHOOL BUDGET AND BOE VOTE TUESDAY, MAY 19

Remember to vote on Tuesday, May 19
May 15, 2026 | Athletics, Carroll Hill, District, School 14, School 16, School 18, School 2, Troy Community School, Troy High School, Troy Middle School

The Troy City School District’s proposed 2026–2027 budget totals $146,348,609 and includes a 0% tax levy increase. The annual budget vote takes place on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at designated polling locations throughout the district.

What is included in the proposed 2026–2027 Troy City School District budget?
Troy City School District students continued the decade-long upward trajectory of academic gains , and the proposed 2026-2027 budget is built to sustain that momentum, without raising taxes.

The Board of Education adopted a proposed budget of $146,348,609 for the 2026-2027 school year at its meeting on April 21, 2026. If approved by voters, the tax levy will remain flat with a 0% tax increase for the fifth time in six years. Since 2021, the school tax levy has risen by just 1.75%. This also marks the 14th consecutive year the district has proposed a budget at or below the allowable tax cap.
“We continue to see our students grow and achieve in all areas,” said Superintendent John Carmello. “We are incredibly proud that we can provide educationally sound programming that is producing significant and measurable results, in a way that is fiscally responsible to our taxpayers.”

This budget maintains all current staffing, programs and student supports. It also includes targeted additions based on student needs identified by building principals and district directors. The 2026-27 budget includes a new five-year contract with Student Transportation of America (STA). This includes in-district home-to-school, athletics/field trips, and summer school transportation.

Capital Reserve Fund: Approval of this proposition would create a new capital reserve fund of up to $6 million, which would act as a dedicated savings account for future building projects approved over the next ten years.
Here is why this matters: because of the Wynantskill annexation, Troy CSD will be eligible for up to 98% state building aid on any capital projects voted on during the 10 years following the merger effective date. That means the district’s share of any project cost is just 2%. With a $6 million capital reserve fund covering that local share, the district could complete up to $300 million in building improvements across all campuses, with no additional impact on the taxpayers.
This vote authorizes the creation of the fund, which would be funded using one-time revenues and surplus funds.

Board of Education Election: Three seats on the Board of Education are open for three-year terms beginning July 1, 2026.

Where can residents review official budget documents?
Residents may review detailed budget information using the documents below.

https://www.troycsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/TR-Budget-2026.pdf

https://www.troycsd.org/district-services/business-offices/budget-information/2026-2027-budget-proposal-presentations/

https://www.troycsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Budget-Statement-FINAL-1.pdf

https://www.troycsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/PTRC.pdf

https://www.troycsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Troy-CSD-26-27-Budget-Notice.pdf

https://www.troycsd.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Budget-Statement-FINAL-1.pdf I’m

Rensselaer County Legislature meeting Tuesday 5/12. They look to approve buying law enforcement vehicles. Declare June Rensselaer County Pride Month, Dairy Month, Motorcycle Safety Month, ALS Awareness Month, Post Traumatic Stress Disaster Month and Uterine Cancer Month. There is a resolution to recognize Juneteenth in Rensselaer County.
It looks the legislature will move to pass a resolution supporting the Bigger Better Botttle Bill but oppose the deposit increase from 5 to 10 cents.
Agenda here:
https://www.rensselaercounty.org/wp-content/uploads/Meeting-Pakcet-5-12-26.pdf

The Rensselaer County Legislature holds its Public Forum, on Wednesday, May 6 at 6pm in their Chambers at 99 Troy Road, East Greenbush, NY. This is your chance to bring your concerns to this body .
Legislator Mary Francis Sabo is bringing legislation forward that would call for these sessions to be live streamed. It is a topic that could be addressed at the Public Forum.
The regular legislature meeting will be on Wednesday May 12.

Finance meeting agenda:
https://www.troyny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/\_05072026-1822?html=true

Regular Meeting Agenda:
https://www.troyny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/\_05072026-1823?html=true

The Troy City Council advanced draft legislation to the administration to implement new policies and oversight of automated license plate readers (ALPRs), part of a broader push to address public concerns over personal privacy, the use of surveillance technology, and access. We hope to engage in productive dialogue with the administration and police department leadership over how this technology is used in our neighborhoods and community.

“The council supports the important work of the Troy Police Department to investigate crime in our community, but as this technology continues to rapidly evolve, we must ensure protections and oversight are in place.”

The draft local law was authored by Councilperson Noreen McKee and will be introduced on May 7 for discussion at a Public Safety Committee meeting May 21 at 5:30.

May 29 will be the day to get your summer vibe kick started. Eight iconic regional musical acts will be joining forces for Songs of Freedom. A mini festival if you will. What an opportunity to see these artists in one place on one evening. Raising Our Voices for social justice and the defense of democracy. What an opportunity for camaraderie and just a plain good time.

Along with the fine music will be a Silent Art Auction. Regional artists have donated original works representing a variety of genres. Surely a chance to add to you collection and the ambience of your domicile.

Yes, food and beverages will be available for purchase. A number of mocktails are in the planning stages.

And hold on to your hats, there will even be a bake sale.

Admission will be through a sliding scale of suggested donations. On admission you will receive a wrist band allowing you to come and go as you please. (OK, I can't imagine you wanting to leave.)

This event is a benefit for Troy Indivisible and Christ Church United Methodist.

Looking forward to seeing you.

May 29

5-11 pm

Christ Church United Methodist

35 State St

Troy, NY

Use this link to let us know you are coming:

https://www.mobilize.us/indivisible/event/947488/?rname=Jim%20Mounteer&share\_context=event\_details&share\_medium=copy\_link

And please share!!!!

This Saturday, 3-6 pm Nerdy by Nature, Troy NY

Circus Family Printshop will be showing you how to print your own shirt using designs by Atypical Tuesday.

BRING YOUR OWN TEE!

The Troy City Council’s Law and Finance Committees meet Thursday, April 23.

The Law Committee will deal with FOIL Requests, the CSEA Contract and the Knickerbocker Aquatic Center Contract.

The Finance Committee will be dealing with a number of Ordinances and Resolutions including awards of NIP funds.

There has been a call to action by deFlock Troy to address the Council during the Public Comment period at the end of the meeting.

Law Committee Agenda:

https://www.troyny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/\_04232026-1815?html=true

Finance Committee Agenda:

https://www.troyny.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/\_04232026-1814?html=true

Democracy should work for working people, not billionaire interests.

While working families are stretched to the brink, billionaires and corporations are posting record profits and hoarding the wealth our labor creates. That money should be funding housing, schools, healthcare, and the public goods that make life livable.

The Corporations and the ultra-rich have rigged the system and it won’t get un-rigged unless working people take big actions together. Corporations and the ultra-wealthy are rigging the rules to protect their power and shut the rest of us out. A government captured by billionaire interests will not solve a crisis that benefits them without us making it.

https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/937038/?rname=Jim%20Mounteer&share\_context=event\_details&share\_medium=copy\_link

On April 25th the Greater Capital Region Coalition of Indivisible groups will be picketing outside local branches of Citizens Bank. Our ask, or our demand is that Citizen Bank ends its collusion with ICE.

TROY INDIVISIBLE will be at the Citizens bank branch at 596 Columbia Turnpike , East Greenbush NY, 10 am

Citizens Bank is the only major lender to the country's two largest private prison companies, CoreCivic and The GEO Group, running dozens of ICE detention centers across the country. Through loans, bond underwriting and credit lines, the bank has played a key role in helping CoreCivic and The GEO Group access more than $2.5 billion in financing over the past dozen years, some of it approved this year.

Citizens says it is dedicated to fostering strong communities and social responsibility, but its long-standing support to prison companies and ICE detention centers is exactly the opposite. We need to hold the bank responsible.