Welcome to the August edition of our newsletter, Policy Matters. This month, we ask you to take action on bills that have passed the legislature, we provide information on student loans and tenant advocacy, provide information on a bill signed into law this year, and more. Updates below!
Take Action With Empire Justice Center!
Contact Governor Hochul and ask her to support the Contracting Bill (A.7616 Paulin/S.7001 Mayer) today! New York nonprofits are suffering due to delays and inconsistencies with state contracting. This common-sense bill will create clarity and consistency across agencies. The bill passed both houses of the legislature unanimously this session and we want to see it signed into law as soon as possible. You can join the 550+ others who have already endorsed the sign-on letter in support of the bill!
In addition to the Contracting Bill, we continue to push both the Shield Bill (S4914-B Hoylman-Sigal/A5480-C Bronson) and the Fair Bill (S.8416 Comrie/A.8427A Lasher) which also passed the legislature this session. Be on the lookout for updates on how you can help us advocate for these bills soon.
Sign up for our Advocacy Action Alerts and keep your finger on the pulse of key policy insights.
Important Information on Student Loans
Tell the Department of Education: Don’t Limit Student Loan Forgiveness!
The United States Department of Education proposed a new rule which would affect the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, limiting borrowers who qualify based on the type of organization they work for. Comments are being accepted until September 17, and we encourage people to weigh in.
This rule would restrict people based on the mission of the organization and the communities they serve, including those that work with immigrant and transgender populations. PSLF is a federal student loan forgiveness program for people who work in public service industries, such as nonprofits and civil legal services. The loan is forgiven after the borrower has made payments for at least 10 years while working for charitable nonprofits. It is a crucial recruitment and retention tool for nonprofits. This change would not only harm those already working at nonprofits, but would also make it increasingly difficult to hire staff to work at these organizations that already face staffing shortages.
Empire Justice Center strongly opposes these changes and urges others to submit comments opposing these changes to the PSLF program using this guidance from the National Council of Nonprofits. Protect Student Borrowers also has a sign on letter, which you can sign onto until September 9.
Additional information can be found on the press release from the National Council of Nonprofits.
Educational Opportunity Program
This month, Jordan Daniels, Student Loan Paralegal for our Education Debt Consumer Assistance Program (EDCAP), spoke with Spectrum News about the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) as a funding source for those in need of assistance. Students who attend SUNY Schools, and are eligible for EOP, receive financial and academic support to help them succeed in college including academic and career advising, tutoring, and personal counseling, modest financial support to help close the gaps for things like textbooks and supplies, and a pre-freshman summer program. The EOP Program has helped to support numerous leaders including Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes. While EOP is one tool for students entering college, there are still barriers for those who need assistance paying for higher education. For those who seek assistance navigating student debt and their options, the EDCAP counselors are available to go through their portfolio and offer assistance.
Tenant Advocacy Work in Monroe County
Managing Attorney, A.J. Durwin, Co-Chair of the 7th Judicial District Access to Justice Housing Working Group, has been working on policies to increase representation of tenants facing eviction, including the development of a Hub Court or similar centralized court process in Monroe County to increase efficiency of the Tenant Defense Project by allowing attorneys to represent more tenants facing eviction in the towns and villages. If more tenants are represented then tenants will have an enhanced ability to defend their rights, negotiate favorable settlements, and avoid eviction/homelessness.
Those in Monroe County who are in need of assistance from the Tenant Defense Project can find more information on the website.
Also, as a member of Rochester Monroe Anti-Poverty Initiative (RMAPI), A.J. has been working to address and prevent housing instability and homelessness for children in the Rochester City School System. The goal of the project is to compare eviction court filing data to school records to create a warning system when a child is at risk of eviction/homelessness. When a child is found to be at risk, their family could be offered rent assistance, or connected to other resources to help prevent the eviction or to minimize the harmful effects of eviction. The project also hopes to have an impact by reducing rates of child homelessness and student absenteeism.
Hearing on the Status of Civil Legal Services
On September 18, 2025, Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson will hold a statewide hearing to assess the extent and nature of unmet civil legal services needs throughout New York State to recommend to the Legislature and Governor Hochul the level of public resources necessary to meet those needs. This year, the hearing will focus on issues such as the impact of federal funding cuts and programmatic restrictions, the effect of Judiciary Civil Legal Services (JCLS) funding on the delivery of civil legal services, the fair and efficient administration of justice in the State courts, the need for additional funding, the current scope of unmet civil legal services needs of low-income and other vulnerable New Yorkers, and strategies to address the unmet civil legal needs of low-income and other vulnerable New Yorkers. The hearing will feature experts from across the United States from the Access to Justice field, civil legal services clients and providers. Our President and CEO, Kristin Brown is a member of the Permanent Commission on Access to Justice, which plans the hearing and will testify once again this year.
The hearing will be livestreamed.
Written testimony is being accepted until September 5. More information is available on the Hearing Notice.
Low Income Taxpayer Clinic
On Tuesday, August 19, the Low Income Taxpayer Clinic (LITC) held its summer “Talk to a Tax Lawyer” day at the CASH location in the Bausch & Lomb Central Library building in Rochester. Attorney Emeritus volunteer Andrew Lipkin joined the LITC’s managing attorney, Barbara Heggie, to meet with people coming to the event for advice on their federal and state income tax issues.
The LITC continues its work helping low income Monroe County residents facing controversies with the IRS and the New York State Department of Taxation & Finance. These issues include missing refunds, tax debts, identity theft, and audits. As of August 21, 2025 the LITC has opened 52 cases for full representation, provided consultations to 45 individuals about their tax problems, and given 9 technical consultations to colleagues and community partners.
Employee Spotlight
This month’s Employee Spotlight shines on Samuel Robinson, a Paralegal in our Foreclosure Prevention practice unit at the Rochester office. Samuel works to help homeowners protect their homes and avoid foreclosure. He first joined Empire Justice Center as an intern in 2022, conducting research on property tax foreclosures, before being hired into his Paralegal role.
When asked about what he likes about working on his team, Samuel highlighted Empire Justice’s unique 360-degree approach to justice, a full-circle strategy that combines teaching, practicing, and changing the law to create lasting, systemic change for our client communities.
Thank you, Samuel, for your hard work, dedication, and commitment to our mission!
Rochester Employee Social
The Rochester Team soaked up some summer sun at our Summer Social at Ontario Beach in Charlotte. The day was filled with games, good food, and time to unwind with one another by the lake, offering a chance to recharge and connect outside of the office.
Thank You For Reading
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The Empire Justice Policy Team
