Progressive Dems Issue Open Letter to Cuomo

OPEN LETTER TO NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATS

February 28, 2011

Dear Fellow Democrats:

We are writing to express concerns about the direction of
our party and our state.

As we all know, New York faces serious fiscal problems. We
all understand that difficult decisions must be made. As
loyal Democrats, we believe that protecting children,
seniors, working families and our communities must always be
a priority.

But the truth in Albany right now is that some of Governor
Cuomo's budget policies are neither balanced nor well
conceived:

The Governor would make deep cuts in education funding, by
abandoning the Campaign for Fiscal Equity case - the hard-
won victory that is supposed to ensure fairness in the
distribution of school aid and give all children a sound
basic education.

And furthermore, the Governor would slash health care
spending, eliminating prescription drug coverage for two
thirds of our seniors through the EPIC program, a program
which so many seniors rely on.

At the same time the Governor is taking these and other
drastic actions, he wants to give the richest three percent
of New Yorkers a massive tax break by allowing the
expiration of the "Millionaire's Tax", a tax that would
generate $5 billion annually.

According to the Governor, this is what it means to be a
"new Democrat." According to the Governor, this is the path
to becoming "the most progressive state in the nation."

If this is what it means to be a New Democrat, and if this
is what it means to be progressive then something is very
wrong.

We cannot be silent on this matter - not when the Tea Party,
the Conservative Party, Republicans and a group of wealthy
Wall Street executives are cheering the Governor's policies.

Of course, as we want the new Governor to succeed, we also
recognize our duty and obligation to remember what our party
has always stood for: fiscal responsibility, fairness,
compassion and vision.

We have a duty and responsibility to speak out now.

To us, the answer is simple. Were it not for the proposed
tax break for millionaires - worth $5 billion annually - our
fiscal problems would be much less severe. We would still
need to reduce spending, but we could lessen the severity of
the cuts this year and even more so next year.

We ask that you join us in urging Governor Cuomo and our
state lawmakers to extend the existing millionaire's tax as
a way of avoiding drastic cuts to schools and health
facilities.

It is imperative that we protect children and seniors, not
millionaires.

Very truly yours,

Robert Jackson,
New York City Council Member,
Co-Chair,
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Catherine Fahey,
7th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Fernando Cabrera,
New York City Council Member,
Co-Chair,
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Lea Webb,
Binghamton City Councilwoman

Margaret Chin
New York City Council Member,
Secretary,
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Jennifer Fuentes,
Alderwoman, 5th Ward,
Kingston Common Council

Melissa Mark-Viverito,
New York City Council Member,
Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus

Brad Lander,
New York City Council Member,
Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus

Carrie Andrews,
Monroe County Legislator, 
21st District
(City of Rochester)

Dominick Calsolaro,
1st Ward, Albany Common Council

Connie L. Coker,
Deputy Majority Leader,
Rockland County Legislature

Edward Collins,
Binghamton City Council,
District 7

Richard Conti,
President Pro Tempore,
Council Member, 6th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Henry Conyers,
Deputy Mayor of the Village of
Hempstead

Inez E. Dickens,
New York City Council Member,
Assistant Deputy Majority Leader

David Donaldson,
Ulster County Legislator

Mathieu Eugene
New York City Council Member,
Brooklyn

Julissa Ferreras,
New York City Council Member,
Queens

Helen D. Foster,
New York City Council Member,
Bronx

Pamela Goddard,
Danby Town Clerk

Leah Golby,
10th Ward, Albany
Common Council

John Hutchings,
Broome County Legislature,
District 5

Letitia James,
New York City Council Member

Anton Konev,
11th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Charles Kramer,
Binghamton City Council President,
District 6

Willie Joe Lightfoot,
Monroe County Legislator,
27th District 
(City of Rochester)

Carolyn McLaughlin,
Council President,
Albany Common Council

Darlene Mealy
New York City Council Member,
Brooklyn

Michael O'Brien,
12th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Annabel Palma,
New York City Council Member,
Bronx

Martha Robertson,
Chair, Tompkins
County Legislature

Tony Rosario,
Trustee of the Village of Hempstead

Deborah L. Rose
New York City Council Member
Treasurer
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

James Sano,
9th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Larry Seabrook
New York City Council Member,
Brooklyn

Barbara Smith,
5th Ward, Albany
Common Council
Demone Smith,
Buffalo Common Council

Joel Tyner,
Dutchess County Legislator

Robert Weslar,
Binghamton City Council
Majority Leader,
District 1

Shirley Whitlock,
Alderwoman, 4th Ward,
Kingston Common Council

Jumaane D. Williams,
New York City Councilman
Co-Vice Chair
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Susan Zimet,
Ulster County Legislator

___________________________________________

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