Action Alerts – Week of February 12th – CNY Solidarity Coalition

CNY Solidarity members and supporters:
Please find below the weekly ACTION ALERTS from Indivisible NY24 and our legislative action teams.

But first, many thanks to all who participated in the important discussion of CNY Solidarity’s role vis-à-vis electoral politics at yesterday’s meeting. For those who weren’t able to make it, we’ve created an on-line portal where you can weigh in. We have a committee that’s been working on this since last Fall, brainstorming about the pros and cons of greater involvement in electoral politics, as well as the variety of forms that involvement might take. For those who weren’t at the meeting yesterday, there are two online surveys that allow you to a) indicate which items on the pros/cons list resonate with you (and to add others of your own); and b) indicate your level of support for a variety of modes of electoral engagement.

These surveys reflect our continued effort to gather more information regarding the diversity of views among Coalition members. We are not at this time proposing any actual Coalition decision. Click here to find the surveys, which will remain open until Sun., Feb. 18 at 5pm.

And now, on to the ACTION ALERTS:

Today (Feb. 12)

Two opportunities for online engagement, plus a retirement party for Rep. Katko tonight

Katko is answering questions (on Facebook, again)

From 11:00-12:00 this morning, Syracuse.com will live stream an interview with Rep. Katko on its Facebook page. If you have a question for Katko, you can email reporter Mark Weiner (please provide your name and where you live) or you can ask questions during the interview by posting them on Facebook. Among other things, we’d encourage folks to ask: 1) Why won’t you hold a genuine, in-person town hall? 2) When 35 of your colleagues from the bipartisan House Problem Solvers Caucus signed a letter last week urging Speaker Ryan to schedule a vote on the Dream Act, why didn’t you join them?

Support sustainable energy in Syracuse

From our friends at Climate Change Action and Awareness: The City of Syracuse is working on innovation and asking for input from the community. You can respond even if you don’t live in Syracuse. One of the priorities you can vote for is Sustainability & Renewable Energy. Click here to vote: https://innovatesyracuse.com/vote. Voting ends on Feb 14, 2018 at 11:59 PM.

Retirement Party for Representative Katko

6:30 pm at the Phoenix Building, 2 South Street in Auburn. Hosted by our friends at Indivisible Cayuga. As you know, John Katko is NOT a moderate. His voting record has supported Trump’s agenda at least 90% of the time, including voting for the tax bill which Katko indicated will help New Yorkers. (None of us!) That is why we are saying goodbye and happy retirement. All are welcome. More details here.

Tuesday (Feb 13)

Two more opportunities for online engagement, plus three meetings of note today

Valesky Survey

Senator Dave Valesky just released his 2018 legislative survey. It has questions about issues of great interest to CNY Solidarity, such as the community grid; New York Health Act; Reproductive Health Act; Comprehensive Contraceptive Coverage Act; gun control; economic development; and voter participation.

Please complete the survey online at <https://www.nysenate.gov/questionnaires/david-j-valesky/senator-valeskys-2018-legislative-questionnare>.

Meeting with Schumer staffer

We have a meeting set with Joe Nehme, Senator Schumer’s regional director at 12:00 noon at the Peace and Justice Center, 2013 E. Genesee St. We’ll meet ahead of time at 11:30am to prepare. All are welcome.

Advocating For Syracuse School Funding Night of Action

Hosted by Uplift Syracuse. 6-8pm at 500 W. Genesee St. 13204. More details here.

Rapid Response Meeting

The next Syracuse Rapid Response meeting is tonight at 6:30 pm at the Workers Center, 2013 E Genesee Street Syracuse. Newcomers are encouraged to attend an orientation and mini Rapid Response Training at 5:30 pm beforehand.

Facebook live interview with Democratic challenger Scott Comegys

At 6:30pm, the Auburn Citizen’s Robert Harding will conduct a Facebook live interview with Scott Comegys, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. John Katko. To submit questions for the interview, email Robert Harding at robert.harding@lee.net. The interview will be streamed at facebook.com/auburncitizen, and the video will be archived there and posted on auburnpub.com.

Wed. (Feb 14)

One letter-writing action today

Let Katko know we’re watching every threat to U.S. democracy

One of our top areas of focus in Indivisible NY24 has been watchdogging threats to fundamental democratic norms and institutions. Today, please pick one such norm/institution (freedom of the press, independent courts, nonpartisan law enforcement, free & fair elections, etc.) and draft a letter to the editor. It doesn’t have to be long or fancy; just identify the threat and call on Rep. Katko to address it. Indivisible’s guide to writing letters to the editor is here, and our list of local outlets is here. If drafting your own full letter is too much of a stretch for you today, just post your thoughts on social media—e.g., on our Katko Watch Facebook pageor on Rep. Katko’s own Facebook page.

Thurs (Feb 15)

Two more live-streamed interviews today, plus another opportunity to meet the NY24 candidates tonight

Facebook live interview with Democratic challenger Dana Balter

At 10am, the Auburn Citizen’s Robert Harding will conduct a Facebook live interview with Dana Balter, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. John Katko. To submit questions for the interview, email Robert Harding at robert.harding@lee.net. The interview will be streamed at facebook.com/auburncitizen, and the video will be archived there and posted on auburnpub.com.

Facebook live interview with Democratic challenger Bill Bass

At 12:00 noon, the Auburn Citizen’s Robert Harding will conduct a Facebook live interview with Bill Bass, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. John Katko. To submit questions for the interview, email Robert Harding at robert.harding@lee.net. The interview will be streamed at facebook.com/auburncitizen, and the video will be archived there and posted on auburnpub.com.

Beat Katko Fundraiser!!!

Come out and enjoy great live music from Anomalous People and Joe Driscoll and eat some amazing food! You will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with all of the declared Democratic challengers to Rep. Katko. Tickets available in advance or at the door; more details here. 6-10pm at Munjeds, 503 Westcott St.

Friday (Feb 16)

One phone calling action today

Support equitable school funding

The Syracuse City School District is owed $45 million in New York State Foundation Aid for schools. Contact your NY State Assembly Member and your NY State Senator to demand that the state legislature provide at least $12 million of that aid this fiscal year, as a minimum appropriation for a balanced school budget. Tell your legislators it is their duty to fund the SCSD’s efforts to address the poverty and program needs of the district’s more than 21,000 students, so they can aim to graduate ready for college and careers.

Most of us are represented in the Assembly by Pamela Hunter (315-449-9536), Al Stirpe (315-452-1115), Bill Magnarelli (315-428-9651), or Gary Finch (315-255-3045); if you’re not sure whose district you’re in, click here or here and enter your address to find out. Likewise, 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), but those links will help you find out if you’re not sure.

Sat (Feb 17)

Central New York Says No to Katko

This morning at 11am, and every Saturday thereafter, join Swing Left NY-District 24, Indivisible Syracuse, Indivisible NY24, and others to say NO to Katko. We’ll be on the sidewalk outside Wegmans Dewitt, near the traffic light, across from Talbots. More details here.

Sun (Feb 18)

FlipNY24 Meeting

3-4:30pm at the Genesee Grande Hotel, 1060 E. Genesee St. in Syracuse, in the Tiffany Room on the main floor. (Note the new location.) Join our friends at FlipNY24 to learn more about their plans to help unseat Rep. Katko in 2018. Please bring a friend or two. RSVP is required here.

Make plans for congressional recess

For the week of Feb. 19, both houses of Congress will be on recess, which should mean that Rep. Katko will be here in the district. If you hear of any planned public appearances, please notify thomas.m.keck@gmail.com and jonah.zern@gmail.com and we’ll put the word out on our new text alert system. If you haven’t yet signed up for those text alerts, text EZNY24 to 797979. Also, watch this space for some recess-week actions that are in the works.

Save the date for these upcoming events:

Mon., Feb. 19, 7pm: North Korea and the Nuclear Issue—Myth vs. History. 7pm at ArtRage in Syracuse. Sponsored by Beyond War and Militarism Committee of Syracuse Peace Council and CNY Solidarity Coalition.

Tue., Feb. 20, 5:45-7pm: Organizing meeting to promote Public Broadband Internet, hosted by Uplift Syracuse, 500 W. Genesee St. More details here.

Sun., Feb. 25, 3-5 pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Dunbar Center, 1453 S State St, Syracuse, NY 13205.

Tue., Feb 27, 5:30-7pm: Uplift Syracuse SCSD Funding and Advocacy Meeting. More details here.

Sun., Mar. 4, 3-5pm: FlipNY24 training, location TBD. More details here.

Sun., Mar 4, 4-6pm: I-81 & the Common Good: Dismantling Racism in the I-81 Replacement Process. Panel discussion at May Memorial Unitarian Universalist Society, 3800 E. Genesee St. For more info: 315-396-7070.

Sun., Mar. 11, 3-5 pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Bishop Harrison.

Sun., Mar. 25, 3-5 pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, Boys & Girls Clubs of Syracuse, 212 Van Buren St. Note corrected address.

Sun., Apr. 8, 3-5 pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, location TBD.

Sun., Apr. 22, 3-5 pm: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting, location TBD.

Jun. 1: NYS voter registration deadline for federal primary.

Jun. 19: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail for federal primary.

Jun. 26: Election day (primaries for federal offices).

Aug. 17: NYS voter registration deadline for state primary.

Sept. 4: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail for state primary.

Sept. 11: Election day (primaries for state offices).

Oct. 12: NYS voter registration deadline for general election.

Oct. 30: Deadline to request absentee ballot by mail for general election.