Jan. 2024 IMV Meeting Sunday 2 pm
See You at Our Meeting Sunday, 2-4 pm!
We look forward to seeing everyone at our January 2024 IMV meeting this Sunday (January 28th) at 2:00 pm. We are meeting at Schuyler Commons at 1776 Independence Square (North Utica). There is plenty of accessible parking.
We will be tracking weather, so if it looks like it's going to cause significant challenges for driving, we will send out an email Saturday and switch to Zoom. But based on your feedback at our December meeting, in-person meetings were the preference, so the current forecast of less than an inch of snow for Sunday, shouldn't stop us from coming together to organize our activities for the electoral year ahead.
We have a fun, engaging activity planned that will help us come up with great messaging to share with voters in 2024--and even practice it so we keep building our messaging skills. We can't wait to see you on Sunday!
Climate Crisis Working Group Update
Climate activists from our own IMV CCWG were part of the Renewable Heat Now campaign/coalition that made their voices heard while rallying and lobbying both senate and assembly members on Tuesday, January 23rd. Thank you Mona Perrotti, Maggie Reilly, Shirley Knop, Alan Cole, Liselli Haines, Carol Gable, Britt Hysell, and Cimbria Badenhausen who joined with hundreds of New Yorkers in the rally and lobbying efforts.
"Advocates call on Leg to include complete NY HEAT Act in one-house budgets after Governor included most – but not all – of NY HEAT in her budget.
On the “million-dollar staircase” in Albany
Following Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget announcement, more than 300 advocates and lawmakers rallied at the New York State Capitol to demand full passage of the NY HEAT Act in this year’s final budget. With temperatures dropping and energy rate hikes impacting New Yorkers from Brooklyn to Buffalo, hardworking families need relief from high energy bills now. Governor Hochul included key provisions of the bill in her executive budget, and the group called on lawmakers to include the full NY HEAT Act in their one-house budgets. The NY HEAT Act will prevent energy price gouging, save struggling New Yorkers up to $75/month on their utility bills, and fight climate change."
The NY HEAT Act is THE MUST PASS CLIMATE BILL for 2024. Here's the most up to date one pager on the bill.
Sarah Klee Hood Zoom event on Tuesday
Join a Virtual National Security Discussion with Sarah Klee Hood, Air Force Veteran, and VoteVets Political Director and Marine Corps Veteran, Travis Tazelaar. VoteVets is the premier organization supporting veterans running for office. The event is Tuesday, January 30th at 6pm. Here is the link to buy a ticket. Once you reserve your place, you'll be sent a Zoom link.
Stacey Abrams at CNY Labor Council Legislative Breakfast in Utica
The CNY Labor Council is featuring our Indivisible movement builder political activist hero, Stacey Abrams, at its annual Legislative Breakfast next month on Friday, Feb. 9th at 7:30 am. The event will be held at the Delta by Marriott, 200 Genesee Street, Utica. Please RSVP and pay by Monday, February 5. Make checks ($40 per person) payable to: Central New York Labor Council. Send to: 287 Genesee St, Utica, NY 13501. Link to Register for Tickets HERE. It will be a popular event, so act quickly!
Help Flip NY03 Blue In the Special Election
With our eyes on New York taking back the House, it's time to make the first domino fall! Even though we are hundreds of miles away from Long Island and Queens, each of us can help flip NY03 with the February 13th special election.
Phone banks using Hubdialer will be every Thursday from 6-8pm. Use this link to choose your shifts.
Indivisible texting party on Tuesday, February 6th starting at 6:30pm. Register here. We use the TextOut platform, which requires a computer or tablet--no phones
Why flipping NY03 matters
When we flip NY03 blue on February 13th, it will create a shockwave of dread for the MAGA freshmen here in NY but also to the vulnerable Republicans in other states. They will be scared at their re-election chances because they know that this win will fuel us to win some more. Let's get the ball rolling on our 2024 House wins!
Getting Pumped Up for Making 2024 A Big Blue Year!
Friends, it can be hard to be in central New York this time of year.
We suffered some local electoral losses in November and many of us are still feeling the sting.
We are represented in Congress by a Christian Nationalist MAGA Extremist (NY22) and an opportunistic Trump wannabe MAGA Extremist (NY21) in Congress. Both of them are thrilled at the thought of dismantling our freedoms and basic human rights and the future of the planet for our children and grandchildren so that they can line the pockets of fossil fuel billionaires and eliminate public services and all that is good for our communities.
Their guy, the former guy, has a lot of fans locally, and it looks like he will be their party's presidential nominee. Again.
The weather!
So...here's a recommended antidote if you have the winter "little hope, just a lot of anxiety about the Blue team" blues…
This week's Ezra Klein Show podcast! Here's the link if you listen to podcasts on Apple, but you can also hear it on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.
The episode is an interview with Simon Rosenberg, a longtime Democratic political strategist who is bullish on the Democratic party, our progressive values and policies, and the chances for electoral success (if we all do our part!) in 2024. Check it out. See if it gives you a little hope, a little reinforcement, a little inspiration for the challenging electoral year ahead.
See you Sunday (or later this morning if you're part of our IMV CAFE Friday community).
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Follow us on Instagram's Threads.net/@indivisiblemohawkvalley, on X (Twitter) using @indivisiblemv, and of course, on our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
