Author: New York State Young Democrats

NYSYD Executive Committee Adopts Health Care Resolution

Posted July 24, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

On July 23, 2009 The New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee Adopted The Following Resolution….

CONCERNING: Comprehensive Health Care Reform

WHEREAS, the New York State Young Democrats believe all Americans, regardless of life station or social position, have a right to high quality, affordable Health Care; and,

WHEREAS, one in six or 45 million Americans are currently uninsured and another 20 million are underinsured, which places and expensive burden upon the nation’s emergency services and proliferates contagious diseases; and,

WHEREAS, young people aged 18-29 comprise the largest uninsured group in the United States, with nearly a third living without Health Coverage; and

WHEREAS, Health care costs have increased 85% in the last ten years, with the expectation of exponential increases in years to come, forcing as many as 72 million Americans onto the roles of the uninsured by 2040; and,

WHEREAS, the increasing costs of Health Care will lower the take home wages of Americans by nearly $25,000 in 2040, detrimentally impacting the United States’ Gross Domestic Product and saddling future generations with insurmountable national debt; and,

WHEREAS, the Obama-Biden Health Care proposal seeks to expand coverage, improve quality, lower costs, expand preventative care, and promote innovation and advancement in medical technologies, at an affordable cost to America; therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED, the New York State Young Democrats and its members actively recommend and encourage the passage of President Obama’s Health Care plan to the members of the 111th Congress; and,

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, New York State Young Democrats officially and publicly add its name to the growing list of progressive organizations which support the Presidents Health Care plan.

10 Things to Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.‏

Posted June 12, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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10 Things to Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.

Earlier this week State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. was named President Pro Tempore of the New York State Senate after he and fellow Democrat Hiram Monserrate turned their back on the State Senate Democratic Majority and backed an attempted Republican Coup which has crippled the New York State Government.

To give some background, the New York State Young Democrats have put together the following “10 Things To Know About Pedro Espada, Jr.” As you read this, contemplate the irony in his claims of bringing change and a new era to Albany after everything he has been accused of in his political career.

We hope you will join us in 2010 as we work to defeat State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr.

1. According to the New York Daily News, he’s called “the Bronx’s ‘Teflon Pol’ for good reason- nothing ever seems to stick to State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. except maybe the whiff of trouble”.

2. The Riverdale Press reported that as of April 16, 2009 State Senator Espada did not even have a district office in his district.

3. The New York Times reports that State Senator Pedro Espada “owes the City of New York $61,750 in fines for fraudulent campaign fund-raising going back to 2001”.

4. The New York Times also reports that State Senator Pedro Espada “has failed to file 41 reports with the State Board of Elections, and has racked up $13,553 in penalties since 2002”.

5. New York State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is apparently investigating State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr to determine if he used his nonprofit organization Soundview Health Clinic as a slush fund for his political campaigns.

6. The Bronx District Attorney Robert Johnson is apparently investigating claims that State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. lives in Westchester County rather than his Bronx district.

7. Before turning his back on the Democratic Party & State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. requested $2 million dollars in State Senate earmarks for two organizations that he founded, which were rumored to have been created to receive those grants. In April State Senate Democrats rejected the grant applications when they could not confirm that these organizations were legitimate.

8. According to the New York Times “In 2005, three employees of a Bronx nonprofit health care company run by Mr. Espada, the Soundview HealthCare Network, pleaded guilty to diverting $30,000 from programs for family care and AIDS treatment to one of his campaigns. Mr. Espada was never charged.”

9. In 2002, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. announced that he would switch parties and become a Republican. He never actually changed his voter registration, but he did sit with the Republican majority to participate in the party’s conferences.

10. According to Project Vote Smart: The Voter’s Self Defense System “Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. repeatedly refused to provide any responses to citizens on the issues through the 2008 Political Courage Test when asked to do so by national leaders of the political parties, prominent members of the media, Project Vote Smart President Richard Kimball, and Project Vote Smart staff.”

State Senator Monserrate Negotiationing With The Democrats

Posted June 11, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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BREAKING NEWS!

Cityhallnews.com is reporting…… “Shortly after reaffirming his support for Pedro Espada and Dean Skelos on the Senate floor, Hiram Monserrate once again entered into negotiations with the Senate Democrats on Thursday to rejoin the caucus. He remains in those meetings as of late this afternoon, and some have speculated that his intent is to return to the Democratic fold. Monserrate’s spokesman, Wayne Mahlke, said he could not confirm or deny the meetings are taking place.” All I know is he was on the floor of the Senate this morning,” Mahlke said, “where he stands right now, I have not heard.”

Albany Times Union Reports State Senator Sampson Supports Malcolm Smith

Posted June 10, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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BREAKING NEWS!

The Albany Times Union Reports State Senator John Sampson (D) supports Majority Leader Malcolm Smith.

“Sen. John L. Sampson, the Kings County Democrat, said he is supporting ‘Majority Leader’ Malcolm Smith and disavowed claims that he was taking over the Democratic conference as minority leader. He said he respects Sen. Pedro Espada, who received 32 votes on Monday to become the president pro tem of the 62-member Senate, and will continue having discussions with him. But his loyalty, he said, remains with Smith/”

10 Things To Know About Sonia Sotomayor!

Posted May 28, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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From MoveOn.org Political Action

Below is a list of 10 key things about Sonia Sotomayor that you might not know. Can you check it out and send it to 10 friends today? If each of us forwards the list, we can start to get the word out about Judge Sotomayor, and help to ensure that she gets a speedy and fair confirmation process.

Ten Things To Know About Judge Sonia Sotomayor

1. Judge Sotomayor would bring more federal judicial experience to the bench than any Supreme Court justice in 100 years. Over her three-decade career, she has served in a wide variety of legal roles, including as a prosecutor, litigator, and judge.

2. Judge Sotomayor is a trailblazer. She was the first Latina to serve on the Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and was the youngest member of the court when appointed to the District Court for the Southern District of New York. If confirmed, she will be the first Hispanic to sit on the U.S. Supreme Court.

3. While on the bench, Judge Sotomayor has consistently protected the rights of working Americans, ruling in favor of health benefits and fair wages for workers in several cases.

4. Judge Sotomayor has shown strong support for First Amendment rights, including in cases of religious expression and the rights to assembly and free speech.

5. Judge Sotomayor has a strong record on civil rights cases, ruling for plaintiffs who had been discriminated against based on disability, sex and race.

6. Judge Sotomayor embodies the American dream. Born to Puerto Rican parents, she grew up in a South Bronx housing project and was raised from age nine by a single mother, excelling in school and working her way to graduate summa cum laude from Princeton University and to become an editor of the Law Journal at Yale Law School.

7. In 1995, Judge Sotomayor “saved baseball” when she stopped the owners from illegally changing their bargaining agreement with the players, thereby ending the longest professional sports walk-out in history.

8. Judge Sotomayor ruled in favor of the environment and against business interests in 2007 in a case of protecting aquatic life in the vicinity of power plants, a decision that was overturned by the Roberts Supreme Court.

9. In 1992, Judge Sotomayor was confirmed by the Senate without opposition after being appointed to the bench by George H.W. Bush.

10. Judge Sotomayor is a widely respected legal figure, having been described as “…an outstanding colleague with a keen legal mind,” “highly qualified for any position in which wisdom, intelligence, collegiality and good character would be assets,” and “a role model of aspiration, discipline, commitment, intellectual prowess and integrity.”

Judge Sotomayor is an historic, uniquely qualified nominee to the Supreme Court. Let’s get the word out and make sure we get a prompt, fair confirmation on her nomination.

NYSYD Executive Committee Votes To Supports Same Sex Marriage

Posted April 23, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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On Tuesday April 21, 2009 the New York State Young Democrats Executive Committee on behalf of the New York States Young Democrats adopted the following resolution supporting Same Sex Marriage in New York State.

(Sponsored By NYSYD President Matthew Silverstein & NYSYD Executive Vice President Ben Jakes-Johnson, GLBT Caucus Jessica Teicher, YDA Secretary Stephanie Hausner, NYSYD Secretary Tajian Jones, NYSYD National Committeeman Dustin Hausner, NYSYD National Committeewoman Kate O’Hagen, NYSYD Council Of Presidents Chair Chris Smith, NYSYD Labor Caucus Chair Michael Corbett, YDA Organizing Director Joe McNearney)

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.

Manhattan YD Celebrates Earth Week

Posted April 13, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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NYSYD & NJYD Trip To Six Flags Great Adventure

Posted April 6, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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Are You On Food Stamps?

Posted April 3, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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The Federal Government announced yesterday that one in every ten Americans have received food stamps. This now means that 32.2 million Americans receive food stamps. I was reading about this increase in foood stamp enrollment and I started to wonder how many New York State Young Democrats either have ever heard about food stamp or how many of our members actually receive food stamps?

food-stamps According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture “The Food Stamp Program helps people with little or no income buy nutritious food. Food stamp benefits are not cash. They come on an electronic EBT card that you use like a bank card to buy food. Most grocery stores take food stamp benefits. To get food stamp benefits, your income and other resources have to be under certain limits”.

Generally speaking if your gross monthly income is $1,107.00 or less, you will most likely be eleigible for food stamps. If you would like to see if you might be eligible to get food stamps, visit www.foodstamps-step1.usda.gov . If you would like to find your local food stamp office please call 1-800-221-5689 or visit www.fns.usda.gov/fsp/outreach/map.htm

For the month of January the average benefit for food stamp recepients (per person) in New York was $112.82. I strongly encourage all New York State Young Democrats to research this program and if you know someone who might be eligible to receive food stamps educate them about the program and try to convince them to join.

Senator Schumer Supports Gay Marriage

Posted March 24, 2009 by New York State Young Democrats

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New York State’s Senior United States Senator Chuck Schumer came out in support of same sex marriage yesterday. In an email statement Senator Schumer said “It’s time”. “Equality is something that has always been a hallmark of America and no group should be deprived of it”. Senator Schumer had previously been a supporter of Civil Unions but not gay marriage. Senator Schumer now joins NYC Mayor Bloomberg, Governor Paterson, and U.S. Senator Gillibrand who all support same sex marriage. NYSYD commends Senator Schumer for switching his position on this issue.

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