Spring is Here, Time to grow our gardens of hope
SCOTUS!!!
Judge Katanji Brown-Jackson has been confirmed as the newest justice on the Supreme Court by a bipartisan 53-47 vote in the Senate!
We have an opportunity to celebrate today, see calendar, and at our May 1 meeting!
The budget is still in discussion. There is time to add your voice
The Budget discussion continues (as of Thursday morning.) If you'd like more information on what this means, what's happening with the budget, and how our IMV and #InvestInOurNY (IONY) priorities stand, you can tune in to hear our IONY organizing partners, Ron Deutsch from New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness and Peter Cook from New York State Council of Churches speak about the Governor's budget priorities on Capital Tonight on Friday, April 8 at 7:00 with Susan Arbetter as the host.
In the meantime, our job is to KEEP CALLING the three NYS leaders and reinforcing our message about the economic and climate justice priorities that must be funded in the budget.
Phone Numbers & Scripts
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 in these 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. We don’t want to see it squandered on corporate giveaways like the Buffalo stadium or subsidies to luxury real estate developers that produce almost no affordable housing. 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 areas below. Add personal reasons or stories if you have them]. I also want to insist that the Governor act on 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 in the 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. We don’t want to see it squandered on corporate giveaways like the Buffalo stadium or subsidies to luxury real estate developers that produce almost no affordable housing. In particular I want to highlight [pick 2-3 areas from the areas below. 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 insist on upholding the important criminal justice reforms the legislature has enacted.
More You Can Do to #ProtectBailReform
FAQ on bail reform: https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/brad-hoylman/bail-reform-faqs
A couple weeks ago we heard a powerful presentation from Citizen Action's Dana Balter about bail reform. If you missed the slides, please view them here https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ed0ebe20-e945-3893-a3d4-1c0cfcb5a551. Here is what Citizen Action says:
"We know the safest communities have the most resources, not the highest jail populations. That’s why we are asking Governor Hochul and our legislators to protect bail reform and invest $1 billion in immediate resources to communities most affected by gun violence.
Bail reform has enabled families to stay together, making a huge difference in people’s lives. Right-wing propaganda means there’s a possibility of a bail reform rollback, keeping people in jail before their day in court and separating them from their families.
We must protect bail reform now! If you agree that we need to funnel more resources into communities, rather than pulling our neighbors out of them, write a letter to the editor in your local newspaper to tell Governor Kathy Hochul to #ProtectBailReform.
You can make a difference by spending 5 minutes to submit a letter to the editor using this quick and easy online tool. It really does take 5 minutes - just fill out your name, location, zip code, and email address. Thank you for fighting to #ProtectBailReform!
Climate Crisis: Take These Two Actions Today
1. Submit Comments on the Draft Scoping Plan
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. This week, we’re asking you to take just one minute and submit a public comment on the Industry Sector of NY’s Draft Scoping Plan. Among other recommendations, NY Renews is calling on the Climate Action Council to clarify that climate and environmental justice lie at the center of our plan for industry—not only business development.
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. If you want to speak please register: https://climate.ny.gov/CAC-Meetings-and-Materials
Note:This replaces our Climate Crisis Working Group meeting for April.
Stand for Peace and Freedom in Ukraine
It's been a while since we've seen each other on the Clinton Village Green for #BlackLivesMatter or #ClimateCrisis on a Friday. The Kirkland Town Democratic Committee invites everyone to join in a rally for Ukraine on Friday, April 8th, 4:00 pm. Bring your signs, and flags (there will be some small Ukrainian flags available) and stand for peace and freedom for the people of Ukraine. We can also celebrate the confirmation of Judge Katanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court of the United States!
Now that you have gathered energy at the Rally, Head over to Utica for James Paul Fundraiser
It’s official–-James Paul is running to be elected to the Utica school board on Tuesday, May 17th. Thanks to friends like you, his family, a great team, and supportive community, he’s confident we will win!
James is a parent, veteran, and youth advocate and will bring his leadership and commitment to the board to support student success in every school in Utica.
James Paul is the candidate that every family can trust to support their student’s success. It starts with transportation and making sure students get to school on time. The school board needs transparency to restore faith in decision making and budget priorities. More talking and communication between the school board and community will improve relationships. James thinks outside the box and is eager to find ways for the board and community to collaborate more to benefit students and staff. James Paul will be a new voice and listen to new ideas on how the Utica school board can better support student success.
All good campaigns require people power, resources, and excellent time management. We’re adding in lots of great conversations and fun along the way. We’d love for you to support this campaign by attending our upcoming fundraiser on Friday, April 8th at 5:30pm at 171 Events in downtown Utica. It feels great to be in the company of friends, which is why we’re looking forward to seeing you there.
If you already have plans and can’t come to the fundraiser, please visit the website to donate at https://www.jamespaulforutica.com/donate. Be sure to click on the Home Page when you visit the site. We’re asking everyone we know to roll up their sleeves with us and help propel us forward to serve the school district. We have lots of ways to support the campaign; check out the Get Involved Page.
Website: jamespaulforutica.com
Email: jamespaulforutica@gmail.com
Campaign manager: Sarah Reeske, 512-799-6535
Thursday April 21 5:30 to 8 pm MVCAA Unity March for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Join Utica Students, NAACP, and our community to stand together for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Democracy is Not a Spectator Sport...It's a Workout. And a Celebration!
Take a deep breath. Plan to join Kirkland Democrats in a stand for peace and freedom in Ukraine on April 8th, and then head straight to James Paul's fundraiser in Utica. Enjoy the chance to get together, not just on Zoom but in person. And mark your calendars for our next IMV meeting. Due to conflicts, We are pushing the April meeting to Sunday, May 1 and we'll be connecting in person and then heading out to knock doors together for the James Paul for Utica campaign. we can't wait to see everyone there.
Thank you for all you do to make political change. If you need to take a break, then we'll hold your note for you. Breathe.
Then.
Push.
Follow us on Twitter using @indivisiblemv and of course our Facebook page and IMV Activism Group.
