Action Alerts – Week of Oct 30th – CNY Solidarity Coalition

CNY Solidarity members and supporters:
Please find below the weekly ACTION ALERT from our legislative action teams.

Major issues of concern this week include taxes and healthcare, which are closely linked. Congressional Republicans are planning to release their tax bill on Wednesday. Based on what we know so far, it will cut Medicare and Medicaid by $1.5 trillion (with a T) in order to fund tax cuts for the 1%. It will also add $1.5 trillion to the federal deficit. And unbelievably, it will likely lead to HIGHER taxes for most middle-class New Yorkers. Rep. Katko voted against the GOP budget blueprint last week, and we need to make sure he continues doing so.

On another Trump administration front, Special Counsel Robert Mueller issued one or more indictments on Friday, and the targets may be unsealed as early as today. If Trump responds by firing Mueller, watch this space for details on an emergency rally at the Hanley Federal Building in Syracuse.

At the state and local level, remember that election day is coming up on Tuesday, November 7. CNY Solidarity has taken a formal position on only one item on the ballot (VOTE NO on Prop. 1), but we encourage all members to inform themselves and vote on all relevant races and ballot measures. Our state legislative action team reminds us that there will be three proposals on the back of your ballot statewide, and four if you vote in Onondaga County.

Proposal 1 would call for a constitutional convention to explore potential changes to the state constitution. CNY Solidarity has voted to recommend a NO vote on this measure. If you agree, you can use these images on your social media accounts to say you’ll vote NO on the state constitutional convention.

Proposal 2 would allow judges to reduce or revoke the state pension of a public officer convicted of a felony related to his or her duties. Proposal 3 would create a 250-acre land bank, which would allow local governments to request forest preserve land for projects in exchange for the state acquiring 250 acres for the forest preserves. This brochure from the League of Women Voters of NY has more details on these two proposals.

For Onondaga County voters, a fourth proposal would hand over supervision of the county jail to the County Sheriff’s office. There are a few details in this Syracuse.com story, and for folks who want to learn more, there will be an information session on Thursday at 5:30pm at the Southwest Community Center (details below).

And now, on to this week’s action alerts:

Monday (Oct 30)

One phone call today and a candidate debate in Syracuse tonight.

House Republicans want to pass a partisan CHIP bill

House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R CA-23) announced Thursday that the House would vote on a bill to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) this week. However, the Healthy Kids Act (H.R. 3921) extends CHIP by taking money away from the Affordable Care Act and weakening Medicare. More details here.Today, please call Rep. Katko and demand that he support reauthorization of CHIP via a bipartisan bill that won’t harm health coverage for others. Katko’s numbers are 315-423-5657 (Syracuse), 315-253-4068 (Auburn), or 202-225-3701 (DC).

Syracuse Board of Ed and City Court Candidates Debate

6:30-8:30pm at Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave., in Syracuse. Co-sponsored by CNY Solidarity, ACTS, National Action Network, Parents for Public Schools, and others. More details here.

Tuesday (Oct 31)

One phone-calling action today, and Happy Halloween tonight, for those who celebrate it.

Voice support for the Community Grid

Of the three options to replace I-81, the grid is the least costly, most sustainable, and has the least impact on the environment and surrounding neighborhoods. CNY Solidarity has formally endorsed this option. Visit http://rethink81.org/ for more info. Please make two quick (and painless) calls to your state assembly member and senator to weigh in. Most of us are represented in the State Senate by David Valesky (315-478-8745), John DeFrancisco (315-428-7632), or James Seward (607-432-5524), and in the Assembly by one of the following, but if you’re not sure whose district you’re in, click here and enter your address to find out:

Assembly Member Pamela Hunter: 315-449-9536
Assembly Member Al Stirpe: 315-452-1115
Assembly Member William Magnarelli: 315-428-9651
Assembly Member Gary Finch: 315-255-3045

Wednesday (Nov 1)

All eyes on the GOP tax bill today, but in the meantime, one phone call and an organizing meeting in Albany

GOP tax bill gets released today

The GOP tax bill is scheduled for release today, and we’ll post more details to the legislative action listserv when we have them. The fight against this Trump Tax Scam is basically the same as the fight against TrumpCare. They’re again trying to gut Medicaid, and they’re again trying to use undemocratic procedures in Congress to do it. More details here. Indivisible and a number of other organizations are calling for a national call-in day tomorrow, so that’s what we’ll do. For today, we’ve got a different recommended phone call, focused on women’s health and reproductive rights, plus an organizing meeting in Albany focused on immigrant health care.

Republicans are coming after women’s reproductive rights

The House Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice will hold a hearing today on HR 490: Heartbeat Protection Act of 2017, which would impose a criminal ban on abortions once a fetal heartbeat is detectable. In other words, it would threaten doctors with prison terms for performing abortions after 6 weeks gestation, which is before many women even know that they are pregnant. More details here. Rep. Katko has been hostile to reproductive choice throughout his time in office, but this is perhaps the most extreme bill yet. Please call him today. As always, his numbers are 315-423-5657 (Syracuse), 315-253-4068 (Auburn), or 202-225-3701 (DC).

COVERAGE FOR ALL meeting in Albany

An opportunity to participate in critical statewide meeting to build toward affordable health coverage for all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status. 10:30-3pm in Albany. Contact ursula.rozum@gmail.com for details, including carpooling plans from Syracuse.

Thursday (Nov 2)

One phone call today and two community info sessions tonight in Syracuse

National Call-in Day to Oppose Trump Tax Scam

Today, please call Rep. Katko and demand #NotOnePenny in tax cuts for the 1%. As always, his numbers are 315-423-5657 (Syracuse), 315-253-4068 (Auburn), or 202-225-3701 (DC).

Community Info Session on Proposal 4

Join Onondaga County Executive Joanne Mahoney and Sheriff Eugene Conway for a community information session to discuss Ballot Proposal #4, regarding supervision of the county jail. Sponsored by Syracuse 20/20 and League of Women Voters. 5:30-6:30pm at Southwest Community Center, 401 South Ave. in Syracuse.

Public meeting on the Syracuse Metropolitan Area Regional Transit Study Phase 1 (SMART1)

From our friends at ACTS: Open house-style meeting at SKY Armory, 351 South Clinton St. in Syracuse, 4-7:30pm. The Syracuse Metropolitan Transportation Council (SMTC) invites you to attend the final SMART1 open house. Stop by to learn about the conclusion of our multi-year enhanced transit feasibility study. Interactive stations, staffed by the project team, will be available for the public to “walk through” and learn about project background, final Bus Rapid Transit alternatives and next steps. Presentations will take place at 5pm and again at 6:30pm.

Friday (Nov 3)

One phone call today, and a Black Lives Matter event tonight in Syracuse

No more legal immunity for the gun industry

Today, please call Rep. Katko and urge him to support HR 3984: Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act, which would revoke the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), the law that gives the gun industry legal immunity for negligence that leads to gun-related violence and death. More details here. Katko’s numbers are 315-423-5657 (Syracuse), 315-253-4068 (Auburn), or 202-225-3701 (DC).

Didi Delgado is coming to the ‘Cuse!

Join a conversation with Didi Delgado, organizer with Black Lives Matter-Cambridge. 7pm at First Unitarian Universalist Church, 109 Waring Rd in Syracuse. $10-25 sliding scale: Please pay according to your means. No one turned away for lack of funds. All proceeds go directly to DiDi. Free childcare provided. Site is wheelchair accessible. More details here. Questions? Call 610-952-5821.

Saturday (Nov 4)

No actions today (until further notice!). Enjoy the day with friends and family.

Sunday (Nov 5)

CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting

3-5pm at Most Holy Rosary School, 1031 Bellevue Ave, Syracuse. Note new location. Facebook event here, and more details will be distributed on this list later in the week.

Save the date for these upcoming events:

Tue., Nov. 7: Election day. Be sure to vote. Polls open 6am-9pm.

Wed., Nov. 8, 6-8pm: CNY Solidarity and National Lawyers Guild are co-sponsoring a legal observer training in Syracuse. Location TBD.

Thurs., Nov. 9, 10am: SLAT has scheduled a meeting with Colleen Deacon, Governor Cuomo’s regional representative. Center for Peace & Social Justice, 2013 E Genesee St. Email canela8800@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Sun., Nov. 12, 2-8pm: One Love Benefit Concert for Hurricane Relief. Palace Theater, 2384 James St. in Syracuse. Co-sponsored by CNY Solidarity. More details (including ticket purchases) here.

Wed., Nov. 15, 7-9pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Bishop Harrison Center, 1342 Lancaster Ave., Syracuse. More details here.

Fri., Nov. 17, 5pm: Learn more about the history of Syracuse’s 15th Ward at ACLU meeting/social, Community Folk Art Gallery, 805 E. Genesee St.

Mon., Dec. 4, 7-8:30pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Southwest Community Center in Syracuse. Note the date change; this was originally scheduled for Dec. 6.

Sun., Dec. 17, 3-6pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting and potluck, Bishop Harrison Center.

Today and every day, be sure to follow us online and on social media!

Check out our website: www.cnysolidarity.org

Check us out on Flickr and Instagram, and subscribe to our YouTube channel.

In solidarity,

Tom