New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie opened the 2016 legislative session with a speech about the Democrats' legislative agenda for the year, which includes a tax hike on the rich, minimum wage increases and new government programs to help families pay for child care and family leave.

In response, UFT President Michael Mulgrew issued the following statement:

I want to thank Speaker Heastie and the Assembly majority for their leadership on so many issues — from school funding and workplace protections to tax policy and women’s equality — that are critical to the lives of average New Yorkers.