PEP, April 2007: Caucus focus: Social reponsibility

By DIANE S. WILLIAMS

The dialogue on social responsibility, the Black family and the challenges facing state leaders drew thousands of New Yorkers, including a large contingent of DC 37 members, to Albany Feb. 16-18 for the 36th annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators Caucus.

To thank supporters and offer optimistic visions for the future, the state Democratic Party paraded its stars — Gov. Eliot Spitzer, Lieutenant Gov. David Paterson, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer and the much-loved President Bill Clinton.

“We won in 2006 because Americans were upset,” not just with the bungled and costly war in Iraq, said Clinton. Concerns about quality health care, the economy and labor unions, global warming,access to college and affordable housing drew record numbers of voters to the polls in 2006 and changed the face of government and gave the Democrats majorities in the House and Senate.

“We have a fundamental promise to always be forming a more perfect union,” Clinton said. How pressing issues would be addressed responsibly was the caucus weekend’s theme.

With dozens of workshops on topics from affordable day care, led by Moira Dolan of the DC 37 Research and Negotiations Dept., to immigration, juvenile incarceration, unemployment and more,DC 37 played a large role at this year’s caucus.

Political Director Wanda Williams sat on the Executive Budget panel and noted that in his 2007-08 budget proposal, Gov. Spitzer did well by closing corporate tax loopholes to boost state revenues and reducing contracting out. “DC 37 supports most of the budget proposals. They are welcome improvements that show finally we have someone who understands the needs of those most in need,” Williams said.

She and DC 37 members commended legislators for listening to the union’s ongoing campaign to save public hospitals. Former Gov. George Pataki threatened jobs and services by trying to slash $500 million from the Health and Hospital Corp. With help from union-friendly lawmakers, DC 37 lobbied extensively to win restorations. This year, in stark contrast, Spitzer’s budget plan would cut $33 million from HHC.

In addressing legislators, DC 37 members reiterated the union’s position against charter schools and for equity in public school funding and parental involvement, increased HHC and Medicaid funding, availability of affordable day care and Workers’ Comp reform.

Safety and Health Dept. Director Lee Clarke led a workshop on Workers’ Comp reform outlining recent improvements.

Local 1549 members Carmen Flores, Belinda Dixon and Paul Boyce and 2nd Vice President Ralph Palladino were among the many DC 37 activists and leaders participating in lively workshop discussions Saturday.

DC 37 hosted a reception where members met the many city and state lawmakers who stopped by to congratulate Executive Director Lillian Roberts on her re-election to a third term.

“We have a terrific team of vice presidents and an ambitious legislative agenda before us,” Roberts said. She listed affordable child care, expansion of the residency rule, Workers’ Comp reform and elimination of the 1-in-3 hiring rule as union objectives. “Together we can do better, because our members deserve better,” she said.