Hi friends,
It’s Wednesday, when I usually don’t write unless I’ve lost track of Tuesday. In this case, I’m writing because I’m about to take some days off to look in on some wonderful people and an exhibition featuring my favorite photographer.
It’s also a good day to shower you with some love. I finally watched Jon Stewart’s Monday night show and I want to share his heartfelt acknowledgment of you and people like you:
“The work of making this world resemble one that you would prefer to live in is a lunch pail fucking job day in and day out, where thousands of committed, anonymous, smart and dedicated people bang on closed doors and pick up those that are fallen and grind on issues ’til they get a positive result ― and even then have to stay on to make sure that result holds.”
Here’s some bonus good news on a Wednesday: Lena Greenberg, who bangs on a lot of doors, got the endorsement from the AFL-CIO. We’re a union family and this means a lot.
Lena photographed this door while canvassing recently. Note: We’re also a Winnie the Pooh family.
I’m guessing you saw the results from NY-3. Shaving the already-narrow Republican majority in the House is important. The House managed to impeach Secretary Mayorkas last night because one Democrat was home with Covid.
A few things need attention. Since I began the week with some dire climate news, I want to keep climate actions coming your way.
Here in NYS, there’s a package of legislation, including the NY HEAT Act, that needs a lift in the Assembly.
Earlier this month, I noted that Governor Hochul had voiced support for eliminating a rule that subsidizes new gas lines. This is one of the objectives of the NY HEAT Act, which would enable the state
to shift entire neighborhoods off fossil fuels, provided it can ensure reliable service.
Budget letters from legislators let the governor know of members’ commitment to fund the legislation. When we let our representatives know that we want to invest in climate action, that helps move the needle.
Remember that you can take action with NY Renews from anywhere. Climate action, like climate change, respects no borders.
Tell your NYS Assembly Member to sign on to the Climate, Jobs, & Justice budget letters! This quick action is from NY Renews.
In the next two decades, NYS needs to upgrade its water infrastructure, including sewage treatment plants, septic systems, and filtration to remove contaminants from drinking water. Governor Hochul wants to cut spending to $250 million, while the New York Clean Water Coalition is calling for $600 million in the budget.
The clean water spending package has received $500 million from the governor and state Legislature every year since 2019. The governor ’s executive budget proposal for this year suggests cutting those funds by 50%.
Here’s a quick action from the New York League of Conservation Voters:
Call on state legislators and Governor Hochul to fund clean water infrastructure and fully fund the Environmental Protection Fund.
The upcoming NYS budget does not include the tax increases on the highest earners nor the increased corporate taxes that progressives have sought. The tax increases it does include are a $1 increase on packs of cigarettes and a small increase in a mobility tax that applies to employers and self-employed people.
"This year was a critical opportunity to address growing inequality in New York," said Carolyn Martinez-Class, a campaign manager for the Invest in Our New York campaign. "The budget could have generated billions of dollars in sorely needed new public funds by raising taxes on New York's wealthiest residents and corporations and investing those dollars directly into our communities – a move that poll after poll shows is widely popular with New York residents, regardless of political affiliation."
Urge your NYS legislators to raise corporate taxes and fully fund early childhood education and childcare assistance. This quick action is from the Alliance for Quality Education.
I’ll be back late next week, after I lead my first out-of-state voting readiness workshop. I am trying to get into more classrooms this spring!
To invite me into your classroom or to train staff to facilitate voting readiness and registration, email esalynn@gmail.com
with love,
L