Policy Statements

Eliminating Taxes on Food

The Right to Affordable Food

Guided by principles like those found in Isaiah 55:1-2, James Manning believes that access to affordable food is a fundamental human right. His plan includes:

1. No Taxes on Groceries: Eliminate all sales taxes on essential food items such as fresh produce, dairy, grains, and other staples, reducing costs for families and improving food security.
2. No Taxes on Restaurant Meals: Remove taxes on restaurant dining to help families enjoy meals out without financial strain, while also bolstering the local restaurant industry.
3. Support for Small Food Stores: In underserved neighborhoods, small stores such as bodegas and delis will no longer have to collect taxes on any items sold, including toiletries and beer, addressing the “food desert” crisis.

This tax relief will:

• Save the average New Yorker $1,200–$1,700 annually.
• Provide families with better access to healthy, high-quality food.
• Increase vendor and supplier profits, reducing the need for food assistance programs.
• Enhance the quality of life in low-income neighborhoods by promoting health and equity.

Key Policy Initiatives:

Full Examination of Healthcare Providers

• Order an independent audit of all healthcare providers in NYC to analyze the fairness of their pricing structures, availability of services, and patient outcomes.
• Identify and hold accountable organizations engaging in exploitative practices, including price gouging and unnecessary medical billing.
• Establish a public database to increase transparency around healthcare costs, enabling residents to make informed decisions about their care.

Tackle Healthcare Profiteering

• Advocate for legislation to cap excessive profits in the healthcare industry, ensuring that more resources are reinvested into patient care and community health.
• Form a task force to investigate and dismantle monopolistic practices within the healthcare sector that drive up costs and limit access.
• Promote nonprofit healthcare models that prioritize patients over profits.

Universal Healthcare Model for NYC Residents

• Explore the adoption of successful universal healthcare systems from developed countries, tailoring their principles to meet the needs of NYC residents.
• Work with state and federal governments to pilot a citywide healthcare program providing free or heavily subsidized care for low- and middle-income residents.
• Expand NYC Care to ensure no resident, regardless of immigration status, is left without access to medical services.

Expand Access to Preventive Care

• Invest in community health centers in underserved areas to provide free or low-cost preventive care, including routine check-ups, vaccinations, and mental health services.
• Launch public health campaigns focused on early detection and management of chronic diseases to reduce long-term healthcare costs.
• Partner with schools and workplaces to promote wellness programs that keep New Yorkers healthy.

Address Social Determinants of Health

• Recognize that housing, food security, and economic stability are critical to health. Increase funding for programs that address these root causes of health disparities.
• Create incentives for healthcare providers to integrate social services into their care models, ensuring patients have access to the resources they need to thrive.

Key Policy Initiatives:

Increase Teacher Pay

• Raise salaries for teachers to reflect their vital role in shaping the city’s future.
• Establish bonuses and loan forgiveness programs for teachers who commit to working in high-need schools for extended periods.
• Provide robust professional development opportunities to ensure teachers stay at the forefront of innovative education practices.

Enhance Pay and Quality of Life for Education Providers and Support Staff

• Increase pay for all school staff, including janitors, food service workers, clerks, and paraprofessionals, to recognize their essential contributions to school operations.
• Improve neighborhood infrastructure around schools by investing in public safety, affordable housing, clean streets, and local businesses to create vibrant, supportive communities for students and staff.
• Expand access to health and wellness programs for school employees to promote work-life balance and job satisfaction.

Uniform Subsidies for Low-Income Families

• Implement subsidies for school uniforms for households earning under $75,000 annually to alleviate financial burdens and promote equity among students.
• Partner with local businesses to offset costs and ensure affordable, high-quality uniforms for all families.

Engage Prominent Business Leaders and Educators

• Launch the “NYC Educators & Innovators Initiative” to encourage business leaders, tech experts, and educators to volunteer time and resources to low-income schools.
• Establish mentorship programs and guest speaker events to expose students to diverse career paths and inspire ambition.
• Provide tax incentives to businesses and individuals who invest time, technology, or funds into public schools.

Global Learning for High School Students in Low-Income Areas

• Introduce legislation to make international travel mandatory for all four years of high school for students in low-income areas.
• Partner with foreign governments, NGOs, and local businesses to fund travel programs, ensuring no financial barriers for students.
• Design curriculum-aligned travel experiences that expose students to global cultures, languages, and industries, preparing them for a competitive global workforce.