Not since the first President Bush told us to ‘read his lips’ have we seen a more dramatic turnaround in a campaign promise than what we have seen from the Senate Republicans and it happened in the span of less than two months of being in the majority. ~Senator Mike Gianaris
Check out the video of the Senate Democrats’ Press Conference supporting Governor Cuomo’s independent redistricting bill.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: Matthew Silverstein has been serving the only place he has ever lived in since he graduated college. Silverstein calls civic associations the backbone of our communities. In addition to serving as a volunteer at his local civic association, Silverstein volunteers for a political group as well. From 2005-08, he served as president of Queens County Young Democrats, for whom he worked for five years to gain recognition of his chapter as a major contributor to the political scene. Now as the new NYS Young Democrats president, he encourages youth involvement in the Democratic Party and instills young people with the values that the Democratic Party stands for.
PERSONAL: The 28-year-old graduated in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch, and in 2007 with a Masters in Urban Affairs from CUNY Hunter. He is unmarried and has lived in Bay Terrace since he was five.
JOB: Silverstein works as project analyst for America Works, which is an organization that puts hard to place people such as veterans and homeless people back to work.
Read the full article from the Queens Courier here.
Check out our December 2010 Newsletter, Snowstorm Edition.
You can find this newsletter as well as the previous installments on our website in our newsletter archive.
New York is incredibly lucky to have 2 Senators that fight hard for what New Yorkers need. Thank you Senators Schumer and Gillibrand for standing up for our heroes!
September 7, 2010
Mr. Larry Young
President, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group
5301 Legacy Drive
Plano, TX 75024
President Young,
We are writing today in support of the striking workers at the Mott’s facility in Williamson, New York (Retail, Wholesale & Department Store Union/UFCW Local 220). The Young Democrats of America (YDA) and the New York State Young Democrats (NYSYD) are proud to stand with our union brothers and sisters in Williamson, because we know that their struggle is one that profoundly affects all of us.
The Dr. Pepper Snapple Group is demanding workers to take a pay cut, reduce the employer contributions to the company’s 401(k) retirement plan, freeze pensions for current workers, and increase employee contributions toward health care premiums
We fully understand that during an economic recession, sacrifices are sometimes necessary; however, Motts’ parent company, Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, saw $555 million in profits last year. Much of this success is a result of the hard work of your employees.
While many corporations across America have recovered from the recession swiftly, working men and women are still struggling to make ends meet. The companies have a much larger responsibility to support the communities that have supported them for years. They should be reinvesting in their workforce to help them navigate through these tough economic times rather than reducing salaries and benefits to increase profit margins.
We agree with the sentiment expressed by the wife of a striking worker in a recent editorial to the Wayne County Star: “Don’t forget they are standing up for you too. They are standing up for the men and women that break their backs everyday to bring home a paycheck that allows them to live from week to week. They are standing up for not only their families and yours, but the community too.”
YDA and NYSYD urge you to work with the union to bargain in good faith for a fair agreement that protects the pay and retirement of the employees.
Regards,
Rod Snyder
President
Young Democrats of America
Kevin Lawrie
President
New York State Young Democrats
Shortly after the President’s First State of the Union Address, NYSYD received the following email from the President on behalf of OFA….
Matthew —
I just finished delivering my first State of the Union, and I wanted to send you a quick note.
We face big and difficult challenges. Change on the scale we seek does not come easily. But I will never accept second place for the United States of America.
That is why I called for a robust jobs bill without delay. It’s why I proposed a small businesses tax credit, new investments in infrastructure, and pushed for climate legislation to create a clean energy economy.
It’s why we’re taking on big banks, reforming Wall Street, revitalizing our education system, increasing transparency — and finishing the job on health insurance reform.
It’s why I need your help — because I am determined to fight to defend the middle class, and special interest lobbyists will go all out to fight us.
Help me show that the American people are ready to join this fight for the middle class — add your name to a letter to Congress today:
http://my.barackobama.com/SOTU
We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But we don’t quit. I don’t quit.
Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.
President Barack Obama
To Purchase Tickets Please Visit: http://www.actblue.com/page/actout
The New York State Young Democrats would like to thank the following individuals for their support of Young Dems Act Out Against.
Host Committee
Producer
Former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi
Dave Pollak
Director
Zac Townsend
Ensemble
New York State Senate Tom Duane
Assembly Member Micah Kellner
Matthew Morningstar & Alan Van Capelle
Sean Patrick Maloney
DNC Woman & Clarkstown Town Council Member Stephanie Hausner
Matthew Silverstein
Costa Constantinides
Al Benninghoff
Michael Corbett
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson
Sam Hudis
Benjamin Kallos
Ricki Lieberman
Kate O’Hagen
Ian Rivera
Krisana Silverstein
Yetta G. Kurland
Honorable Mention
Michael Gilberg
Chris Ryan
Amanda Pizzuti
Ciara Pressler
Tajian Jones
New York City Anti-Violence Project
Nassau County Police Department
WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats support all efforts to afford equal protection under the law to New York State citizens regardless of race, religion, gender, disability and sexual orientation;
WHEREAS, same gender couples, opposite gender couples, and their families are equal under the New York State Constitution and equally deserve the protections and happiness of marriage;
WHEREAS, civil union does not mean marriage;
WHEREAS, equal marriage will promote and protect the happiness and well-being of same gender couples and same gender attracted youth and adults;
WHEREAS, Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill would amend the Domestic Relations Law to give same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into civil marriages. It would mandate that all provisions of State law be construed to encompass same-sex marriages, consistent with the legislation’ s intent, regardless of whether they use gender-specific or gender-neutral terms. As a result of this legislation, same-sex spouses would enjoy the same legal status and treatment under New York law as heterosexual couples, on issues such as property ownership, inheritance, health care, and insurance coverage.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee on behalf of the New York State Young Democrats, enthusiastically supports the passage of Governor David Paterson’s Marriage Equality Program Bill to end legal discrimination against same sex couples and recognizes the fundamental civil right of marriage to promote the happiness and well-being of all couples.
