Author Archives: Info@greaternycforchange.org

Thousands Sign #OWS Pledge to Stop Tax Break for Millionaires & Billionaires

NEW YORK, NY – On the southeast corner of Occupy Wall Street, among the protesters, sleeping bags, and news cameras, hundreds of people have stopped by a small “political action table” to add their name to the 72% of New Yorkers who oppose giving a $5 billion tax break to New York’s millionaires and billionaires. More than 1,500 individuals have signed onto the No Tax Break for Millionaires pledge since October 6th, calling on Governor Cuomo to stop the massive windfall New York’s wealthiest will receive when the current millionaire’s tax expires on December 31st of this year.

The #OWS petition calls for “the adoption of the ‘Buffett Rule’ at the Federal level” and advocates that “no Millionaire or Billionaire pays less in taxes than someone making less than them.” The expiration of New York’s millionaire’s tax will lead to a $5 billion hole in the budget, which will be closed with additional cuts to vital public services on which all New Yorkers rely. Volunteers say the emergency economic and fiscal crisis that led to the 2009 surcharge is still in place and perhaps even aggravated.

Support for stopping the millionaire’s tax break is palpable in Zuccotti Park. “Ninety-five percent of the people who come up to the table sign at least one petition.  We can hardly close up the table when we need to because people are grabbing flyers and petition clipboards away from us,” says Amy Miller, a political activist and psychologist. “The level of engagement, the openness of the OWS crowd to engage with the political system, and the cohesive support for a millionaire’s tax is obvious.”

The petitions will be delivered to elected officials, including Governor Cuomo, this month. Signed copies are also posted at www.occupywallstreetkit.com. In addition, the volunteers collected another 1,000 signatures against hydro-fracking and registered voters at the table. The petitions against hydro-fracking are in collaboration with a group called United For Action, dedicated to a ban on the dangerous form of gas drilling. The team that put together the Political Action Table, a group of friends, have also handed out over 3,000 flyers since October 2nd.

An extension of the soon-to-expire millionaire’s tax was, for months, considered a dead issue. Governor Cuomo’s most recent budget favored the wealthy and punished the 99 percent with brutal cuts to education, basic public services, and even assistance for homeless children. Since the birth of Occupy Wall Street, however, there has been massive pushback – including an October 11th march against the 1% (a walking tour of well-known millionaires’ homes in the Upper East Side), a newly revitalized coalition of labor and community groups opposing the tax break called 99 New York, and a Siena poll from October 17 showing that 72% of New York voters support extending the tax on those making more than a million dollars a year.

“We’ve been telling people that the millionaire’s tax, on both the federal and state level, is no substitute for across-the-board tax reform. Instead, these specific surcharges are immediate and feasible actions that, especially in the case of New York, will help to stop further cuts on people whose services, jobs, and general well-being have already been subjected to brutal cuts,” said Kate Linker, a writer and political activist. “We only worked in the afternoon and early evening. Had we worked all day, there would likely be hundreds more signatures,” Linker added.

Governor Cuomo recently compared his opposition to extending the tax to his father’s opposition to the death penalty. While Governor Mario Cuomo fought a popular policy due to a moral imperative, Governor Andrew Cuomo is fighting for the millionare’s tax either due to the disproved myth of tax flight or, even worse, a desire to please his biggest donors here in New York State.  “Comparing State executions to popular calls for a more equitable society is apples and oranges,” says Jamie Ansorge, a law student and political consultant active in reform efforts.

“Sitting here in Lower Manhattan, the movement has shown me that this resurgence of civic engagement can change the course of political events in New York,” Democracy for New York City (DFNYC) president and table volunteer Josh Silverstein said.

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To volunteer for the Political Action Table, email Naomi at ows.table@gmail.com or sign up at www.occupywallstreetkit.com. You can also find templates for petitions and the final results of the effort on this site.

Volunteers at the Political Action Table are active across the city in other groups, including Greater NYC for Change, the Downstate Young Democrats, Democracy for New York City, United for Action, and the Strong Economy for All Coalition.

 

Occupy Wall Street and Action Steps You Take

The Occupy Wall Street movement has sparked debate about the state of the economy around the nation.  Here are three of the most important action items identified by the Strong Economy for All coalition.  Please contact your elected representatives and ask that they call for the following:

Stop The Tax Cut for Millonaires (#Dec31)

New York politicians have approved a $5 billion tax cut for the richest people in our state – most of it will to millionaires and billionaires.

But it won’t happen until December 31: there’s still time to stop the tax cut and use the money to create jobs and restore the worst of the budget cuts.

Create Real Jobs Now (#JobsCrisis)

The biggest need in our communities is jobs – real jobs, right now.

Millionaires don’t need their tax cut, but the money could be invested in infrastructure, transit, energy efficient retrofits and conservation projects to create hundreds of thousands of jobs we do need.

Restore The Budget Cuts (#NYCutsHurt)

After Wall Street destroyed the economy, state and city politicians cut schools, human services, higher education and transportation funding to the bone.

New York budget cuts hurt students, seniors, people who are poor, disabled or homeless have been hit bad. And the budget cuts have led directly to the loss of over 10,000 public sector jobs and thousands more at non-profits and local businesses.

If we stop the tax cut for the rich, we can restore the worst of the cuts.

 

 

On to Wisconsin

Is it rabbit season? No, it’s recall season!

As the debt ceiling agreement is finalized, we now have an opportunity to focus our attention on other important issues. For many of us New Yorkers, the summer means rooftop barbecues, trips to the beach and the occasional road trip.  In Wisconsin, this summer has come to mean the season of recall elections and politicians are feeling the heat.

On August 9th, a general election will be held to recall 6 Wisconsin Republicans who voted in favor of Governor Scott Walker’s harmful policies. A successful election will send a much needed message across the country that grassroots progressives have not forgotten their core values and will continue to fight for policies preserving our country’s social safety net.

So, if you are ready for a little shellacking, here’s what you can do.

Call Out the Vote

Join Democracy for America and Progressive Change Campaign Committee to phone bank from home. Like Team EMILY they are encouraging voters to get out there and make their voices heard. Sign up for volunteer shifts starting Saturday, August 6th and running until Tuesday, August 9th.

Latest Recall News Coverage

Wisconsin recall ad deluge may presage 2012 election

A deluge of political advertising in Wisconsin this summer to sway the largest wave of special state elections in U.S. history may be a harbinger of the partisan onslaught expected in the 2012 national elections.

Wisconsin Democrat Faces Recall Vote

This summer, Wisconsin is overflowing with recall elections involving nine state senators from both parties…At stake in a dizzying, unprecedented series of recall elections is dominance in the Senate, where the 19-14 Republican majority could shift if Democrats gain three seats.

Thank you for your continued commitment to change.

Resources, Events, & Activities

This summer has been a busy season of activism for New York.   Join our email list for the most recent updates on progressive issues and events taking place across the City and check out our calendar of events.  In the meantime, here are several additional resources of interest:

Debt Ceiling Resources

The current discussion on the debt ceiling and potential cuts to vital programs has raised many questions.  Our recent blog post “What’s up with Obama’s Debt Ceiling Offer” provides some insight into this issue.  The following information may also be helpful:

  • What is the federal debt ceiling?  Learn more from NPR.

Debt Ceiling Events

  • July 20 Debt Ceiling Rally and Press Conference Event in lower Manhattan-Staten Island

3:45pm: Join our fun “Boat Brigade”!

Gather at the South Ferry Terminal in Lower Manhattan. Together we’ll take the 4 p.m. ferry over to Staten Island. Bring group banners and homemade signs!

5:00pm: Press Conference and Rally
Take the Staten Island ferry to Borough Hall – 10 Richmond Terrace (Across the street from the St. George Ferry Terminal – enter on Stuyvesant Place).

  • July 20 and July 21 statewide coordinated campaign to prevent cuts to critical social service programs

Email Hilary Papineau to RSVP or for additional information: hilarina@gmail.com

Events are sponsored by the new “Restore the American Promise” campaign. Partners include 1199 SEIU, Fight for a Fair Economy • Citizen Action of New York • New York State Alliance
for Retired Americans • New York State AFL-CIO • New York Statewide Senior Action Council • New York Association on Independent Living.

OTHER INFORMATION OF INTEREST

Fracking Updates

While New York awaits updates regarding Governor Cuomo’s final stance on fracking, read about the successful lobby visit that took place in Albany last week; this interesting blog depicts the camaraderie and collaboration that took place as over 200 activists

Clean Elections Campaign Initiative

Grassroots NYC is an organization working to reform campaign financing in New York City.  The organization has put forth a “Clean Elections” bill at the City Council level and also monitors the impact of federal campaign financing actions on local fundraising.   A recent Supreme Court decision ruled against public funds for campaigns, a decision which will negatively impact the NYC matching funds system.  This presents an opportunity for GrassrootsNYC’s to pursue its clean elections system initiative.

July 16th and 17th: MoveOn.org American Dream House Meetings

MoveOn.org has organized a series of [American Dream House Meetings to discuss how to attain a more desirable American Dream is in the making, one that is green, sustainable, and equitable based on creativity and cooperation.  On July 16, New Yorkers will gather to discuss the possibilities & what this could practically look like and how to make this better world a reality.  Join or host one today!

Voter Registration Drives on July 16

Join fellow democrats throughout the City register new voters.  Voter registration drives will be taking place at fun and busy locations across the City and beyond, including:

Union Square:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkfwj

Harlem:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpk3tc

Atlantic terminal:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpkfbd

Fulton Street, Brooklyn:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpk3kv

Staten Island:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpkfvv

Astoria, Queens:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpkfvy

Philly:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpkmbp

Bethlehem, PA:

http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/voterregistrationdrive/gpkfgy)

Thank you!

– Hilary Papineau

 

Summer Activism: Having a Drink, Saving Our Water

Summer Social

Thursday, July 14 • 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Bar 13 at 35 East 13th Street & University

Join Greater NYC for Change and ACT NOW for our summer mixer celebrating marriage equality, warm weather, and our amazing activist community! There will be two-for-one drinks until 9pm. RSVP on Facebook or here. (Click here to volunteer!)

Save Our Water

This week, we’re focusing our energy on keeping New York’s drinking water pristine (and our bagels delicious)! As you might know, Governor Cuomo is considering permitting fracking in New York, a dangerous way of drilling for gas by pumping toxic chemicals through our drinking water. Here’s two actions you can take to stop fracking:

1) Join our friends at United for Action as they travel to Albany this Thursday, July 7th to attend an emergency press conference/rally and let the Governor know in no uncertain terms that the water and the health of New Yorkers is not up for sale. The bus leaves at 7:30 am and costs $35 round trip. For more information sign up here.

2) Call Governor Cuomo and tell him you want to ban fracking in New York State! Tell him you have serious concerns that fracking cannot be done safely. Governor Cuomo’s at (518) 474-8390 or (212) 681-4580; you can also send him an email here.

Thanks for all that you do!

Naomi & the Greater NYC for Change team

Microstamping: Save Lives, Solve Crimes!

Gun control has become a key progressive concern, central to affirming the role of government regulation of public safety in the face of tea party assertions of putative “Second Amendment” rights.

And we are now very close to victory on a key legislative priority: a microstamping bill that is resoundingly supported by gun-control groups and leaders in law enforcement has just passed the NYS Assembly.  It is only two or three votes shy of clearing the State Senate later this month. S 675, the Senate version, would go a long way toward fulfilling a longstanding aim of its advocates, putting an indelible signature on gun ownership and on the use of instruments of lethal violence.

Microstamping imprints a unique alpha-numeric code on every shell casing ejected from a semi-automatic handgun, allowing police and investigators at a crime scene to trace the casings back to the original gun purchaser. Supported by police departments, law enforcement organizations, district attorneys, and over 100 mayors from across New York State, microstamping would help solve long-open crimes, often committed by hardened criminals. But perhaps most importantly, it would go far toward limiting the persistent tragedies of daily life in big cities and other communities–the drive-by shootings, the random shots into crowds or outside of schools and other civic institutions that result in often-traceless deaths and, inevitably, in the devastation of families and communities.

The recent Memorial Day weekend alone witnessed shootings in New York City boroughs that resulted in several seemingly unmotivated deaths–crimes that are currently unsolved because they are traceless, but that could be easily resolved with an electronic click, were legal requirements for microstamping in effect.

Greater New York City for Change is partnering with New Yorkers Against Gun Violence to phone bank this week, calling on constituents of the few wavering state senators, including Marty Golden here in Bay Ridge, to do the right thing for public safety and to enforce its number-one legislative priority. Our friends at Tribeca for Change, Democracy for New York City (DFNYC), Upper West Side Democrats for Progress, Downtown East for Obama, and Brooklyn for Barack, among other groups, are in, too. We need your help, so please join us for an hour or two, in numbers! A sweet victory–for common-sense regulation, public security and well-being, and an end to the too-powerful control of the gun lobby over democratic rights– is at hand if YOU get involved.

Phone Banks to Pass Microstamping (S 675)

227 West 17th Street, 6th Floor, Manhattan, NY (between 7th and 8th Ave)

Tuesday, June 7, 6pm-9pm
RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkh9h

Thursday, June 9,  6pm-9pm
RSVP at http://my.barackobama.com/page/event/detail/gpkmfl

 

Posted by Kate Linker