Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics New York's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus have outlined its legislative priorities for 2022, including combatting the effects of pollution and climate change on communities, further changes to the state's criminal justice system and education laws. Caucus lawmakers on January 17, announced their priorities and policy goals for the year, one day before Gov. Kathy Hochul is scheduled to release her first budget proposal. The spending plan is expected to be approved by late March. “People of color face unique challenges as they seek to grow their families, become homeowners, or start a small business. Today, the Caucus has presented a blueprint for advancing the equality and prosperity of the communities that we represent," said Assemblymember Michaelle Solages, the caucus chair. "Specifically, we have proposed life-changing policies such as New Deal 4 CUNY, universal pre-k and childcare, and the New York Health Act. All measures that would reinvigorate our economy and provide substantial support to children and families as we maneuver through this pandemic." The caucus is calling for a law setting targets for transitioning the state to cleaner and more renewable forms of energy and to invest in ways of reversing years of environmental racism. The lawmakers' agenda also calls for more spending on education to aid student outcomes and improve child development while also seeing through a plan that would make universal pre-kindergarten available statewide. And the Caucus also intends to further address the criminal justice laws by ending solitary confinement and making it easier for people in prison to make parole. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.