CRUNCH TIME for State Budget
State Budget Asks: Call Today & Every Day
We're coming down to the last days for the 2023 NYS budget, and need everyone to make calls. You'll find that this newsletter is filled with budget asks. Pick the ones that matter most to you. Call with the asks that matter most to you. You can call and leave messages as often as you want. Just keep calling!
Governor Hochul: (518) 474-8390 (press 3, then 2)
Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins (518) 455-2585
Assembly Speaker Heastie (518) 455-3791 (ask to be transferred to the person who takes messages about positions on issues)
Basic script for Gov. Hochul: "Hi, my name is ________ and I am urging the Governor to follow the lead of the Senate and Assembly as she goes into final negotiations on the budget. New Yorkers like me worked hard to pass the measures that raised the extra revenue now available to invest in our communities. For New Yorkers suffering from two years of pandemic on top of decades of disinvestment, the “rainy day” is now. In particular I want to highlight [pick 2-3 areas from the key issue asks. Add personal reasons or stories if you have them]. I also want to insist that she respond to facts, not fear-mongering, and uphold the important criminal justice reforms the legislature has enacted."
Basic script for ASC/Heastie: "Hi, my name is ________. I am urging the Majority Leader/Speaker to hold the line with the Governor at the strongest of the one-house proposals as she/he goes into final negotiations on the budget. New Yorkers like me worked hard to pass the measures that raised the extra revenue now available to invest in our communities. In particular I want to highlight [pick 2-3 areas from the key issue asks. Add personal reasons or stories if you have them]. I also want to thank him/her for honoring the facts, not caving in to fear-mongering, and urge him/her to continue to uphold the important criminal justice reforms the legislature has enacted."
"The Rainy Day is Now" Budget Day of Action in Albany
As our Governor and Legislature are in the final days of negotiating our State Budget, Indivisible Mohawk Valley and our partners in the Invest in Our New York coalition are headed to Albany to hold our Governor and State Lawmakers to account for a State Budget that will #InvestInOurNY!
WHAT: The Rainy Day is Now! Invest In Our NY! 2022 Budget Day of Action!
WHEN: Monday, March 28th, 2022 at Noon
WHERE: Albany, exact location with RSVP
This year we have a revenue surplus but Governor Hochul wants to put much of that money away for a “rainy day”. Join us to tell Governor Hochul that the rainy day is now, the time to invest in our New York communities is now!
In Albany we will come together and make it clear with fun props and actions to drive our message that “the rainy day is now”. Plus we will let our lawmakers know what we expect to see in our State budget.
Fair Pay for Home Care: Take Action
Did you know that Sen. Rachel May is one of several state legislators behind the Fair Pay for Home Care Act? This bill addresses significant need and has widespread support in the legislature and among New Yorkers statewide. As Sen. May has said, "Everyone knows someone who is struggling with home care."
But while the full legislature and every heart in New York State is behind Fair Pay for Home Care, Governor Hochul has yet to support this critical budget priority. The budget is typically finalized by April 1st and the home care workforce shortage cannot be put off any longer. Take action.
If you can't find home care for yourself or someone close to you due to the low wages, add your name to a 30+ ft long list of hundreds of New Yorkers who can't find home care. We will use this banner of names and our stories in public demonstrations around the NYS Capitol as we build the case for Fair Pay for Home Care. To add your name either fill out this form or call (518) 303-2521.
Join us at the Governor’s Mansion in Albany on Wed, March 30th at 12PM! This will be one of our last big in-person pushes and we need all hands on deck. RSVP here!
Sign up to take a 5-minute Action-A-Day for Fair Pay between now and the end of budget - when hundreds of us make a call, send an email or post on social media - it makes a big impact on decision-makers!
Climate Crisis: Take These Actions Now
1. Submit Comments on the Draft Scoping Plan
Thanks to all who attended the meeting on the 23rd! The Climate Crisis Working Group (CCWG) is making a plea to the entire IMV membership to comment on the CLCPA Draft Scoping Plan. Thousands of comments will be needed advocating for the CLCPA implementation and against false solutions. Read more here about what NY Renews recommends for bold, not false solutions on power generation. And you can read more about transportation solutions here.
Submit comments on Power Generation: https://www.nyrenews.org/draft-scoping-plan-powerelectricity-comments
Submit comments on Transportation: https://www.nyrenews.org/draft-scoping-plan-transportation-sector-comment
2.Sign up for a Public Hearing on the Draft Scoping Plan &
Save the Date: April 26th 4pm: Syracuse, NY. SUNY ESF
WE NEED EVERYONE TO JOIN OUTSIDE TO MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD and then if you want to speak please register: https://climate.ny.gov/CAC-Meetings-and-Materials
3. Make NYS Budget Calls for Climate
The one-house budget proposals recently released by the New York State Senate and Assembly do not go far enough—or move fast enough—to protect our communities from the worst effects of climate change and environmental pollution.
The budget will be finalized in just weeks. Will you help put public pressure on our leaders to let them know that we need more funding, now and in the future, for climate justice?
This one-click tool will allow you to make a 5-minute call to three key New York State leaders: the Governor, Speaker, and Majority Leader. It includes instructions on how to leave a message with these leaders quickly and effectively. And do be sure to leave a message with all three —we need each one of them to hear our demands.
It only takes 5 minutes to make a call. Make your voice heard today.
IMV"s script: "Hi, my name is ____ and I live in ____, zip code ____. I’m calling to urge you to pass all 12 bills in the Climate Can’t Wait policy package AND dedicate $15 Billion in funding in the budget to implement the CLCPA. Please, be the climate champion that history needs and urge NYSDEC to uphold the air permit denial of Danskammer and Greenidge."
NY Health Act Someday Soon, Two Budget Asks Today
Our Health Care Workgroup shared an analysis of the proposed NY Health Act from the Rand corporation at our meeting last Sunday. If you missed it, check out the slide deck here. This is a major policy change, far more transformational than the federal Affordable Care Act of 2010. It will take years to build the momentum to pass such a significant legislative bill. In the meantime, if you care about health care in New York, here are two key budget items you can advocate for right now:
COVERAGE FOR ALL: $345M for health insurance for otherwise ineligible (undocumented, etc) folks (in both one-houses, not in Governor's).
FAIR PAY FOR HOME CARE: Ask is $630M this year, $2.5B next year Would raise home care wages to 150% of minimum wage, end home care shortage, create 250K jobs
In both one-houses, not in Governor’s budget at all.
For both items, call or email Governor Hochul: 1-518-474-8390 or use the contact form at https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form.
Bail Reform: What You Need to Know
Let's continue to fight lies and misleading propaganda about bail reform. We had a terrific presentation from Dana Balter at our meeting on Sunday, and continue to practice our messaging about the value of bail reform, especially as a matter of economic and racial justice. Here is a good place to go for the facts. Let's start with this one:
Bail reform is working. Current data show that the vast majority of people released were not rearrested. In fact, only 2% of those released without bail were re-arrested for violent felonies. This number is slightly lower than those re-arrested for violent felonies after posting bail.
When you make your state budget ask calls, add this one:
"I'm asking the Governor to invest $1 billion in this year’s budget for violence interrupter groups and services for survivors of gun violence. Instead of caving in to Republican fear-mongering, honor the facts and invest in community-based resources that will truly increase public safety. This will allow immediate responses to specific incidents of gun violence while we ameliorate the root causes of violence (poverty, inadequate housing, etc) instead of investing in more prisons, jails, policing or rollbacks to bail reforms."
An Invitation from Antonio Delgado's Organizing Director
"Now that the lines are officially drawn, Congressman Delgado and our campaign team want to officially welcome you to NY-19! For those who I have not yet connected with, I’m Laura Hughes, and I am the Organizing Director for Congressman Delgado's field program this year. We want to update all of our new district supporters as to where the campaign is headed. We are ready to gear up for what is going to be a very competitive election, but we have got to start early.
That is why we will be having a virtual strategy meeting with the Congressman on Monday, March 28th at 8PM. Thank you so much for your help and support. We look forward to seeing you there and working together in the coming months!"
Monday 3/28 (8PM-9PM) - Albany, Binghamton, Broome, Madison & Utica Counties. Sign up here.
Sign Petitions for Matt Castelli This Weekend
Let’s Make History! Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has failed NY21, which will now include parts of Oneida and Herkimer Counties. But there’s good news: Matt Castelli can beat her.
Matt worked at the White House, protecting our nation from foreign threats for both Obama and Trump.
He served the CIA in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Matt formed a Veterans’ Health Organization.
A true patriot, he favors Country Over Party
Sign his petition to get him on the ballot. Two opportunities this weekend:
Saturday, March 26, 5-7 pm
Copperccino’s,
254 W. Dominick Street, Rome
Sunday, March 27, 11 am-4 pm
525 Albany St., Little Falls
James Paul for Utica School Board
Campaign manager Sarah Reeske reports that the campaign is up and running! Please fill out the campaign volunteer form here: https://forms.gle/eSj5sBWjuVZ9ogJU8
Sarah says, "Our first fundraiser is scheduled! Please RSVP and attend. I really want this event on April 8th to be an amazing time in a lovely venue with wonderful friends (YOU!): https://www.eventbrite.com/e/304168635577
March Madness: Keep the Press On
Basketball fans have their March Madness, but so do IMV Activists! We're tracking the progress of Judge Jackson in her Senate hearing and the struggle of Ukrainians against Putin's brutal attacks. But we're also gathering petition signatures for candidates and taking actions to influence the state budget and the draft scoping plan of the climate.
Thank you, thank you for collecting candidate signatures. Remember to take advantage of the last five days to do so, and get your petitions submitted to your Democratic committee leaders or campaigns by March 30!
Please keep calling and emailing our state leaders, especially the Governor, as they negotiate the final details of the budget. Remember that budgets are moral documents, and the 2023 NY Budget must reflect our values to prioritize the needs of the most critical and low paid workers, climate justice and green jobs, education, and health care. Here is the list of our priorities for the budget one more time. Thank you for all the calls you make between now and April 1.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. And it's March Madness for Budget Justice!
Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.