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PEP April 2014
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Public Employee Press

Rank-and-file lobbyists
Activists share agenda with legislators

Busloads of DC 37 activists traveled to Albany March 4 to bring their legislative concerns to state lawmakers. In the annual Lobby Day organized by New York State affiliates of DC 37's national union, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the DC 37 contingent was joined by hundreds of activists from upstate communities and Long Island.

At the top of AFSCME's legislative concerns for 2014 are Gov. Andrew Cuomo's budget and his proposal to cut the estate tax. The greatest benefits of the estate tax cut would go to fewer than 200 families, costing other taxpayers $750 million annually. The governor is also proposing to cut corporate taxes to their lowest levels since 1968 and end the bank tax, providing a windfall to the largest banks, the ones that caused the recession and have already benefitted from taxpayer bailouts.

Fighting cuts

Before the activists fanned out to lobby legislators on their issues, they met with union leaders and supportive elected officials.

"What you are going to do here this afternoon is critical to addressing income inequality," AFSCME NY Field Services Director John English told the grassroots lobbyists

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts reminded participants that the handouts to business and the wealthy would come out of the pockets of working people and called on the state Legislature to stop Cuomo's tax cuts. "Let's not forgot who those tax dollars belong to," she said.

"We are all in this fight together, to continue to provide a decent quality of life for all of our members," said Mario Cilento, president of the New York State AFL-CIO.

New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli acknowledged the valuable work that union members do, especially during the snowy winter months. "The streets and highways are clear because of our union workers," said DiNapoli. "Thank you, AFSCME workers: You are the ones who make the difference."

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver told the unionists he would continue fighting for paid family leave, child care subsidies and the full universal pre-kindergarten program sought by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Among the many DC 37 activists who made the trip to the state capital was Local 1549 member Lydia Alexis. After the speeches, she met with Brooklyn Assembly member Nick Perry. Like many New Yorkers, Alexis is troubled about the lack of affordable housing; she raised the subject with Perry, who listened to her concerns.

"Housing is a big issue with a lot of our members. That's why it's important to come here and let our voices be heard," she explained.

— Alfredo Alvarado


 
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