Working Families Party Endorsements: DA, Council, BP Endorsements - Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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The Working Families Party Coordinating Council is scheduled to meet tonight to consider endorsements in a number of key City Council races, as well as the Manhattan DA contest and two borough president races (Staten Island and Manhattan).

The council will be taking up the recommendations made by the screening committees that met on May 15. It requires a 2/3 vote to overturn a committee recommendation.

The full list of endorsements being considered this evening (provided by a plugged-in reader) appears after the jump. Some highlights:

- Richard Aborn for Manhattan DA. (This would be a coup for Aborn, who has been trying to cast himself as the most progressive candidate in the three-person race to fill the seat of retiring DA Robert Morgenthau - a strategy clearly intended to target the left-of-center types who tend to turn out in a Democratic primary).

- The party is considering backing five challengers to incumbents, including:

Danny Dromm against Councilwoman Helen Sears in the 25th CD, Maritza Davila against Councilwoman Diana Reyna in the 34th CD, Mark Winston-Griffith against Councilman Al Vann in the 36th CD, Jumaane Williams against Councilman Kendall Stewart in the 45th CD and Frank Gulluscio against Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich in the 32nd CD.

In the hotly-contested races for the few seats opening this fall, the party is considering:

- James Van Bramer for the 26th CD seat being vacated by Councilman/public advocate candidate Eric Gioia.

- Lynn Schulman for the 29th CD seat being vacated by Councilwoman/comptroller candidate Melinda Katz.

- Steve Levin for the 33rd CD seat being vacated by Councilman/comptroller candidate David Yassky.

- Assemblyman Mark Weprin for the 23rd CD seat being vacated by his brother, Councilman/comptroller candidate David Weprin.

- No endorsement in the case of two incumbents: Councilman Tom White (28th CD) and Councilman Miguel Martinez (10th CD).

It's so far unclear what the WFP is going to do in the 49th CD where Councilman Ken Mitchell is trying to defend the seat he narrowly won in a February special election. Debi Rose, who was backed by the party the last time around and came close to beating Mitchell, has said she's interested in running again.

WFP leaders will also be discussing the mayor's race this evening, but are not expected to make a decision about an endorsement for several weeks.

The party has already made a few early endorsements, including: Councilman John Liu for comptroller, Councilman Bill de Blasio for public advocate and Brad Lander for the seat de Blasio is vacating.

UPDATE: Another WFP endorsement: S.J. Jung for Liu's soon-to-be-empty seat.

Office District Incumbent County RECOMMENDATION

Manhattan DA (open) Manhattan Richard Aborn
City Council 25 Helen Sears Queens Danny Dromm
City Council 26 (open) Queens James Van Bramer
City Council 28 Thomas White Queens No Endorsement
City Council 29 (open) Queens Lynn Schulman
City Council 33 (Open) Brooklyn Steve Levin
City Council 34 Diana Reyna Brooklyn Maritza DaVilla
City Council 36 Al Vann Brooklyn Mark Winston-Griffith
City Council 9 Inez Dickens Manhattan Inez Dickens
City Council 10 Miguel Martinez Manhattan No Endorsement
City Council 45 Kendall Stewart Brooklyn Jumaane Williams
Borough President Scott Stringer Manhattan Scott Stringer
Borough President James Molinaro Staten Island John Luisi
City Council 2 Rosie Mendez Manhattan Rosie Mendez
City Council 4 Dan Garodnick Manhattan Dan Garodnick
City Council 5 Jessica Lappin Manhattan Jessica Lappin
City Council 6 Gale Brewer Manhattan Gale Brewer
City Council 7 Robert Jackson Manhattan Robert Jackson
City Council 8 Melissa Mark Viverito Manhattan Melissa Mark Viverito
City Council 11 Oliver Kopppell Bronx Oliver Koppell
City Council 15 Joel Rivera Bronx Joel Rivera
City Council 16 Helen Foster Bronx Helen D. Foster
City Council 18 Annabel Palma Bronx Annabel Palma
City Council 21 Julissa Ferreras Queens Julissa Ferreras
City Council 23 (open) Queens Mark Weprin
City Council 24 James Gennaro Queens James Gennaro
City Council 27 Leroy Comrie Queens Leroy Comrie
City Council 30 Elizabeth Crowley Queens Elizabeth Crowley
City Council 32 Eric Ulrich Queens Frank Gulluscio
City Council 35 Tish James Brooklyn Tish James
City Council 40 Mathieu Eugene Brooklyn Mathieu Eugene
City Council 42 Charles Braron Brooklyn Charles Barron

Early Endorsement Gamble for WFP by David Freelander - City Hall News

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De Blasio’s Performance Expected to be Statement About Party’s Clout

In 2008, the Working Families Party helped a 28-year-old neophyte knock off a 30-year incumbent state senator and turned all levers of state government blue for the first time in 70 years.

Such moves and moxie left many WFP members wondering what they could do for an encore after helping vault 28-year-old Daniel Squadron to the State Senate last September in what was the biggest electoral successes for the 10-year-old party to date.

Now it appears they have their answer: Make sure that the man they endorsed surprisingly early, Bill de Blasio, is elected public advocate.

“We don’t do paper endorsements,” said George Albro, a WFP executive committee member. “The party has a real track record of being effective in campaigns like this. We anticipate being very active—a lot of resources, a lot of troops, a lot of publicity.”

De Blasio has, to date, lagged in fundraising and name recognition compared with his rivals for the seat, but his backers are hoping that an infusion of Working Families money and support can vault him to at least the run-off.

“I think they are an incredible brand, and are extremely good at organizing people on the grassroots level,” de Blasio said. “They made an extraordinary commitment to me by endorsing me so early, and I’m sure they fully intend to back that up.”

The potential lack of a serious Democratic mayoral primary may give extra weight to the WFP endorsement. In a low turnout primary, the key to winning a down ballot race in 2009 may come down to identifying and turning out supporters, something at which the Working Families Party has proved adept.

But winning a 25,000-vote Senate primary is one thing. Throwing their weight around citywide six months out from a competitive citywide primary is another, particularly for an organization that has until now only supported one citywide candidate, Comptroller William Thompson (D), and avoided the last two public advocate’s races entirely.

The support of de Blasio, then, will prove a crucial test of the WFP’s muscle.

“They are not middleweights any more, they are tuning up for the heavyweight bout,” said Doug Muzzio, professor of public affairs at Baruch College. “They are not the third major party in New York anymore. They are the second.”

But the move does not come without risks. By putting all of its chips on one candidate early, the party risks angering others in the field. If de Blasio wins, the party will be able to make the case that it is the dispositive force in Democratic primaries. But if he fails, the eventual public advocate will have proven he can win citywide without any help from the WFP. Fast forward four years, when the first-term public advocate decides to run for the open mayoralty, and he could afford to essentially ignore the WFP, who would have already proven themselves ineffective at winning citywide races. Other citywide candidates could develop similar doubts.

Nor did the endorsement come without controversy. The other candidates grumbled that because of de Blasio’s longstanding ties with some of the big unions, like 1199, and with progressive groups like ACORN, receiving the Working Families Party imprimatur was a foregone conclusion, and thus, hardly newsworthy.

Some within the party voiced concern as well, complaining that the endorsement was railroaded through for the sake of getting the support to de Blasio early. Each of the party’s affiliates—its clubs, member unions and civic organizations—cast a weighted vote, but some organizations did not have a chance to consult their members before the vote. This could create an awkward situation if in the end some of the member unions, organizations or clubs opt to support another public advocate candidate while the WFP and its army of grassroots operatives turn out for de Blasio.

“There was no reason to push the vote through that early,” said Michael McGuire, director of the Mason Tenders PAC. “They easily could have tabled it and let other organizations do their process. There was a feeling that a certain powerful segment of the party has been with de Blasio from day one.”

These are precisely the kind of bare-knuckle tactics that have vaulted the WFP to influence. Now that they are there, though, many are left scoffing that the party has abandoned some of the good government roots.

“I think a lot of people in the inside just roll their eyes and don’t see them to be all that progressive of a group,” said one Brooklyn political insider. “They are very much part of the traditional power structure, and make very opportunistic endorsements.”

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ABOVE: The Working Families Party put all their chips on Bill de Blasio’s public advocate run, hoping for a big payoff on primary day and beyond.

Youth Service Providers in Queens Hold Press Conference on the Devastating Impact of Budget Cuts...

“BUDGET CUTS HURT YOUTH!”

In support of Richmond Hill Public Library, NY Alliance for Healthcare Reform (AHR) speaks against the devastating proposed budget cuts to essential services in communities across the state. Rafael Gomez Luna and Jocelyn Bueno, outreach committee members of AHR stood in solidarity with a contingency of community-based organizations. The message sent was: "Stop Draconian cuts that will hurt the future of our youth with Fair Share Tax Reform"

Black, Latino, Filipino, and South Asian immigrant youth service providers throughout Queens gathered today at the site of the Queens Library in Richmond Hill to speak out against the massive cuts on youth services. The Queens Library is a place many youth in Queens turn to for homework help, after-school programs, yet the Queens Library stands to face over 18% in state budget cuts that will be augmented by city budget cuts. This will cut the number of hours the Library is open as well as the number of free programs to youth it can provide. Groups spoke about how the youth service cuts will cut off windows of opportunity in their communities.

“The Queens Library is not just a place to keep books but a full-service community center,” said Children’s Librarian Laura Bultman from the Corona Branch. “We provide homework help to kids whose parents don’t speak English. The library is a quiet place for these kids to work if they don’t have a place to do schoolwork at home.”

Chief External Affairs Officer of the Library, James Van Bramer sent a clear message to elected officials in the Capitol: “The Queens Library serves more children in Queens County than any other organization. We implore our friends in Albany to find a more equitable way to avoid these drastic service cuts.”

The Executive Directors of South Asian Youth Action (SAYA) and Filipino-American Human Services, Inc. (FAHSI) were joined by Peter Fontanes of the League of Latin-American Citizens (LULAC) in describing how cuts in library and after-school services will affect their communities.

Fontanes warned of consequences from the Governor’s proposed cuts: “The after-school programs provided by this library open up the minds and spirits of our people. Children and immigrant families are being told that the doors of opportunity will be shut on them. I ask the Mayor and Governor not to budget out families. If our kids don’t have a library and community center to go to, they will end up on the street.”

Community member Buddha Allah had the last word: “Youth service cuts are of concern to me as a grandfather. There is an alternative. The cuts can be avoided by fairly taxing those 3 percent of New Yorkers making more than $250,000 annually. New York State already has a form of progressive taxation because a couple making $30,000 doesn’t pay income taxes. Passing Fair Share Tax Reform will be in keeping with the progressive tax philosophy we already have in New York.”

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Working Families Party Endorses Bill De Blasio for Public Advocate...

First Endorsement for Grassroots Party in 2009 Races

NEW YORK – The Working Families Party announced today the endorsement of Councilmember Bill de Blasio for New York City Public Advocate, noting his career-long leadership on the issues that matter to working people. Brad Lander was also endorsed in the race for de Blasio’s Brooklyn Council seat.

“Bill has spent his life taking on and winning the tough fights,” said Bob Master, Working Families Party Co-Chair. “Whether it is making sure our schools get their fair share of funding, workers have the right to join a union, or big developers build affordable housing, Bill de Blasio has always been there for working families when it counts.”

Master continued: “There are a lot of great candidates in this race, but Bill de Blasio is a cut above when it comes to sticking up for regular New Yorkers – and that’s what the Public Advocate job is all about.”

“In this city, there’s no more consistent voice for the middle-class and no bigger grassroots force than the Working Families Party, and I’m incredibly proud to have their support,” said Bill de Blasio. “Together, we can make sure that even in America’s biggest city the voice of the public is heard in the halls of power.”

The endorsement of de Blasio came after a two-thirds majority vote by the WFP’s New York City Coordinating Council.

Voters Cast Ballots for 3 New York City Council Seats by Trymaine Lee - NYTimes.com

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Special elections were held on Tuesday for three City Council seats in Queens and on Staten Island to fill vacancies left by candidates who were elected to other offices in November.

Eric A. Ulrich won in the 32nd Council District in Queens and Julissa Ferreras won in the 21st Council District, also in Queens.

With about 10,000 votes cast in the 49th Council District on Staten Island, Kenneth C. Mitchell was leading Deborah L. Rose by 34 votes, but numerous absentee ballots still remained to be counted. Mr. Mitchell or Ms. Rose will fill the seat formerly held by Michael E. McMahon, who was elected to the House of Representatives.

The winners will serve through the end of the year and will then need to run again in primaries and in the general election to keep their seats.

Mr. McMahon won the seat formerly held by Representative Vito J. Fossella, who did not seek re-election after a drunken driving arrest led to revelations that he fathered a child with a mistress.

There were 395 absentee ballots that remained to be counted in the Mitchell-Rose race, said Valerie Vazquez-Rivera, a Board of Elections spokeswoman. The absentee ballots will not likely be counted for another week, Ms. Vazquez-Rivera said.

Early returns showed Ms. Rose leading, but shortly after midnight Mr. Mitchell had moved ahead.

Ballots were cast in the district using paper ballots after a last-minute ruling added a candidate to the ballot.

Mr. Ulrich, a Republican, won the seat formerly held by Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. in the 32nd Council District. Mr. Addabbo was elected to the State Senate.

Mr. Ulrich, the Republican district leader, outspent each of the other candidates vying for the seat. Ms. Ferreras, a Democrat, won election in the 21st Council District in Queens, replacing her former boss, Hiram Monserrate, who was elected to the State Senate.

Ms. Ferreras, who was Mr. Monserrate’s chief of staff, had her candidacy tainted by questions of financial irregularities at a charity she was involved with and the legal problems of her former boss: Mr. Monserrate was charged in December with domestic violence and weapons possession after he was accused of slashing his girlfriend in the face.

Ms. Ferreras is the first Latina to be an elected official in Queens, according to the Working Families Party, which was behind Ms. Ferreras’ campaign.

More Dems Want 'Fair Share' by Elizabeth Benjamin - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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As the Senate Democrats prepare to conference the question of tax reform at 6 p.m. this evening, the so-called Fair Share bill being pushed by the WFP and its labor allies is gaining steam in both houses of the Legislature.

In the Senate, two more Democrats - Tom Duane and Martin Dilan - have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, bringing the total number of supporters to 20, according to the WFP's Bill Lipton.

An alternative to the millionaire's tax that is being championed by Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein has yet to be introduced, but the concept has been endorsed by Columbia University Prof. Michael Woodford.

Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith has made clear he thinks taxing the rich is "the last thing we should be doing," but also left the door open earlier this week to doing so if it's the route his conference wants to take.

In the Assembly, a same-as bill is being carried by Assemblyman Darryl Towns, chairman of the 48-member Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus.

Towns introduced the bill earlier this week and has garnered the support of 30 of his colleagues.

"It's critically important that we solve the budget crisis through real shared sacrifice," Towns said in a statement relayed to me by a labor supporter of the bill. "Fair Share Tax Reform will make New York's tax code more equitable and will also raise revenue necessary to protect essential services."

Gov. David Paterson, who has been sending mixed signals on the millionaire's tax, recently signaled he's open to overhauling the tax structure.

Ulrich Wins the 32nd Council District Election by John Toscano - www.qgazette.com - Queens Gazette

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The Queens political world has a new Comeback Kid following 24-year-old Republican candidate Eric Ulrich’s smashing victory in Tuesday’s special election, which puts the GOP back on the political map again.

Ulrich, in winning the 32nd Council District election by more than 1,000 votes over second-place finisher Lew Simon, a Democratic leader in the Rockaways, brought the Ozone Park-Howard Beach seat back to the Republicans. Ulrich, the GOP District Leader in that area, becomes the youngest person to become a councilmember and the only Republican in the Queens delegation. According to unofficial and incomplete returns, Ulrich garnered 3,426 votes.

Ulrich replaces Joseph Addabbo Jr., who vacated the seat last November after winning the state senate post previously held by Serphin Maltese.

In other election activity in Queens on Tuesday, Julissa Ferreras won the 21st Council District post previously held by Hiram Monserrate, who had vacated the seat by also winning a state senate seat in November.

Ferreras, a 32-year-old Democrat, easily defeated three opponents and became the first Hispanic woman to hold a council post in the borough. The district covers the Jackson Heights-Corona-Elmhurst-East Elmhurst areas adjacent to LaGuardia Airport.

Ulrich’s victory follows closely upon state Senator Frank Padavan’s re-election in Northeast Queens, retaining him as the only Republican from the borough in the upper house of the state legislature. Besides being the Republican Party District Leader in Ozone Park, Ulrich also heads the Our Neighbor Civic Association of Ozone Park. He ran with the strong backing of the Republican Party county organization chaired by Philip Ragusa.

In a victory statement issued after the votes were in, Ulrich thanked Ragusa for the party’s support and recalled naysayers’ remarks: “They said a Republican can never win. He is just a kid. Well, we proved them wrong.”

Ragusa responded, “[Eric] reaped the fruits of his hard work organizing, party building and serving his community. The voters of this district clearly responded to his energetic and vigorous campaign.” He added, “I’ve said since November that rebuilding the Queens GOP will come in stages. The first block was Senator Padavan’s win. We had hoped Eric would be the second, and now he is. We are in a strong position to make further gains in the city council elections this November.”

Queens GOP Executive Vice Chairman Vince Tabone noted: “[Eric] knows everybody in his district. [He] was an outstanding candidate and will make a terrific city councilman. The county organization’s top priority was Eric’s election, as evidenced by the thousands of phone calls and e-mails we sent out, independent of Eric’s campaign, as well as the volunteers we directed to his race.”

Tabone also noted that Ulrich’s victory was not affected by the presence of a second Republican on the ballot, Mike Ricatto. Ricatto got 652 votes. Another Rockaway Democratic District Leader, Geraldine Chapey, received 891 votes.

Former Councilmember Tom Ognibene was credited with guiding Ulrich’s well-run campaign. Tribute was also paid to fellow Republican District Leaders Jane Deacy, William Johnert, Donna Caltabiano, Joe Kasper and Janice Bar; club leader Bernie Solow; Reagan Club President Rosemary Frissolone; Conservative Party Chairman Tom Long, and prominent Republican activists Tom Lynch and Pete Stubben.

The 32nd Council District, which besides Ozone Park and Howard Beach includes Broad Channel, the Rockaways and parts of Richmond Hill and Woodhaven, was represented by Councilmember Alfonso Stabile before he was succeeded by Addabbo in 2002. Ulrich will serve out Addabbo’s term, which expires at the end of this year.

In the 21st Council District contest, which was also on the ballot on Tuesday, Julissa Ferreras defeated Francisco Moya and George Dixon, both Democratic District leaders, and Jose Eduardo Giraldo. The Queens Democratic organization did not endorse a candidate in the 21st District race because Moya and Dixon, both district leaders, were in the field.

Ferreras, who was endorsed by the Working Families Party, tallied more than 7,000 votes, almost 44 percent of the total, for a very impressive victory. “Without the Working Families Party, I never would have been able to get out my message of uniting our communities. This campaign was about fighting for all of us, and I was proud to have the WFP with me every step of the way,” she said in a post-election statement.

A jubilant Jose Schiffino, a member of the Queens chapter of the Working Families Party, responded: “Julissa Ferreras will be a force for New York’s working families in the city council.”

Working Families Party staff ran the Ferreras effort, and organizer Ted Fertik served as campaign manager. In addition to the WFP’s involvement, Ferreras was endorsed by several municipal labor unions, members of which were also active in her campaign.

Besides working for several years as Monserrate’s chief of staff, Ferreras was also active as an advocate for students and parents at P.S. 19 in Corona, one of the city’s most overcrowded schools. In her job as a top member of Monserrate’s staff, she helped to serve the entire district in constituent matters. She also aided in one of Monserrate’s greatest victories, helping to shape the final development plan for Willets Point. Monserrate had advocated for more jobs for local residents as well as more affordable housing and community benefits than developers first intended to include as part of the plan.

Ferreras will complete Monserrate’s council term, which expires at the end of the year.

Working Family Party Celebrates Ferreras Victory in 21st City Council District...

The Working Families Party congratulated today the historic victory of Queens City Council candidate Julissa Ferreras in the Special Election for the 21st City Council district.

The grassroots party played a major role in the victory, lending its staff to run Ferreras' bid to become the first Latina elected official in Queens.

“Julissa Ferreras will be a force for New York’s working families in the City Council,” said a jubilant Jose Schiffino, member of the Queens Chapter of the Working Families Party. “We endorsed Ferreras because of her tireless work fighting for responsible development and better schools, and we’re proud to have helped put her over the top.”

Working Families Party staff ran the Ferreras effort, and organizer Ted Fertik served as the campaign manager. The WFP and its affiliates, including ACORN, the Hotel Trades Council, and SEIU locals 1199 and 32BJ, together knocked on over 20,000 doors to help put Ferreras across the finish line.

Julissa Ferreras said: “Without the Working Families Party, I never would have been able to get out my message of uniting our communities. This campaign was about fighting for all of us, and I was proud to have the WFP with me every step of the way.”

The Working Families Party has helped elect dozens of City Councilmembers, including Letitia James, who became the first victorious third party Council candidate in decades in 2003.

In 2008, the Working Families Party received over 210,000 combined votes across New York for its Congressional candidates.

Working Family Party Hopes To Make History In Nonpartisan Council Specials by Elizabeth Benjamin - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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The Working Families Party and its labor affiliates are putting their respective GOTV machines to work today on behalf of candidates running in two of the three City Council special elections who will make history if they pull off victories.

In the 49th CD, the WFP, ACORN, SEUI 1199, 32BJ, and the HTC are working on behalf of Debi Rose, a Community Board 1 member and executive director of the Liberty Partnership Program at the College of Staten Island who narrowly lost a primary to the man whose seat she's now seeking, Rep. Mike McMahon, in 2001.

If she wins, Rose be the first African American to represent the borough in elected office.

The 49th CD race is shaping up to be a close one, and is further complicated by the fact that the voting is being done on paper ballots due to a last-minute court decision that returned John Tabacco to the ballot.

Also in the running are McMahon's former chief of staff, Ken Mitchell; the Rev. Dr. Tony Baker, Donald Pagano and Paul Saryian.

In the 21st CD, organized labor is working on behalf of Julissa Ferreras, who is running for the seat her former boss, Hiram Monserrate, vacated when he was elected to the state Senate last November. If elected, she'll be the first Latina from Queens on the Council.

Ferreras is facing off against Francisco Moya, a former aide to Gov. David Paterson (when he was Senate minority leader), who has stayed out of this contest. Moya also counts amond his endorsements Citizens Union, and his former boss Rep. Nydia Velazquez.

Also on the ballot in the 21st are Jose Eduardo Giraldo and George Dixon.

The WFP and its labor allies have knocked on more than 40,000 doors for Rose and Ferreras, according to party spokesman Dan Levitan. The WFP is staffing Ferreras' entire campaign and lent four organizers to Rose's operation.

Neither of the WFP candidates appear on the party's line (Row E) due to the nonpartisan nature of the special elections.

The WFP took a pass on the 32nd CD race, most likely due to the fact that the candidate it would have supported, Frank Gulluscio, was booted from the ballot. Gulluscio is a former aide to Joe Addabbo, who vacated the Council seat when he was elected to the Senate.

Gulluscio's departure was caused by the aggressive challenges to his petitions by allies of his opponent, Geraldine Chapey, who is being represented by former Sen. Marty Connor. His loss was a boon for Eric Ulrich, who Republicans see as their best hope for gaining back a third seat on the Council.

Also in the running are: Lew Simon and Mike Ricatto, whose campaign was dealt a blow when a campaign bus driver struck and killed a 9-year-old boy.

New Tax Bill Seeks Fair 'Sharing' For Wealthy by Brendan Scott- NY Post

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A day after Gov. Paterson hinted at plans to soak the rich, a Brooklyn assemblyman announced legislation yesterday to enact the $6 billion tax-hike plan backed by public-employee unions.

Democrat Darryl Towns' bill would enact the Working Families Party's "Fare Share Tax Reform" plan, raising income taxes on taxpayers who make more than $250,000 a year and giving New York the nation's highest top tax rate.

The bill is identical to legislation already introduced by state Sen. Eric Schneiderman (D-Manhattan), providing it crucial two-house support days after Paterson warned the wealthy they would "share in the sacrifice" during budget talks.

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan), who supports a "millionaire's tax," has so far not endorsed a tax hike on those making less than $1 million annually.

Towns said he hopes the revenue can eliminate Paterson-backed proposals to tax music downloads, theater tickets and cable television.

The bill would create three new tax brackets for those topping $250,000 a year.

Those on the bottom of the scale would pay 8.25 percent, up from the current top rate of 6.85 percent. Earners making $500,000 will face a tax burden of 8.97 percent, and those who earn more than $1 million would pay 10.3 percent.

On Again, Off Again by Elizabeth Benjamin - The Daily Politics - NY Daily News

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Two City Council candidates who have been struggling to remain on the ballot as next week's special elections loom have been bounced out of the running yet again.

Senator-turned-full-time-attorney Marty Connor, who is representing 32nd CD candidate Geraldine Chapey, called in to say an appellate court (second department) chucked Glenn DiResto back off the ballot - just three days after he was put back on by a state Supreme Court justice.

At issue was the fact that DiResto chose the name "Families First" for his ballot line in the nonpartisan Feb. 24 election. Connor argued this ran afoul of election law, which forbids the use of names of already existing parties (in this case, the Working Families Party).

The Board of Elections sided with Connor, the Supreme Court overturned that decision, and now the Appellate Division has said the Board of Elections was right all along. Dara Miles, a freelance writer and Columbia J-School student, caught up with DiResto, who said:

"Elections should be determined in the voting booth, not the courtroom. It's the people's choice. It's unfair that another candidate feels they can take democracy in their own hands. Isn't that tyranny?"

Meanwhile, over in Staten Island's 49th CD, the Advance is reporting a state Supreme Court justice accepted a special referee's finding that embattled candidate John Tabacco fell far short of meeting the 1,367-signature requirement to make it onto the ballot.

Tabacco has had the same on again, off again problem as DiResto due to his selection of a symbol (a star) that was too much like that of an existing party (Democrat) to represent his made-up ballot line.

He was given time to cure that problem by the Board of Elections - a point noted by DiResto's attorney - but then didn't make the signature cut.

NY Post Attacks Working Families & Speak Out at Community Board 5

The Post has never cared much for facts, but in this fight they're critical:

The Governor's cuts would be devastating. He proposes to balance the budget with $9 billion in cuts to classrooms, hospitals, libraries, nursing homes, environmental protection, foster care, social services that actually save us money in the long run, you name it. ²

We know painful cutbacks are inevitable. But his plan is lopsided. The Governor asks for sacrifice from everyone -- everyone, that is, except the wealthiest New Yorkers who could most afford to pay.

There's a better way. The Fair Share Tax Reform plan asks the wealthy to give back a reasonable portion of the generous tax cuts they've received so we can stop the worst of the Governor's cuts.

Who would pay? You have to earn close to $6,000 per week to be touched by this plan. No one likes to pay taxes, but this group is best able to weather a modest decline in their take-home pay.³

The Post has learned nothing from the collapse of Bush's right-wing economic policies, but most economists have. Hundreds of New York's leading economists (including Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz) have called on Gov. Paterson to reconsider his approach. Their view: raise taxes on the wealthy instead of focusing entirely on cutbacks that hit the middle-class, working-class and poor.⁴

The reasoning is simple - slashing public spending will not only cause real pain for working families, it will reduce economic activity. It's the exact opposite of what President Obama's stimulus plan is trying to accomplish.

Fair Share Tax Reform is, well, fair. Because of decades of tax cuts skewed toward the rich, the highest state income tax rate starts at just $20,000 a year, meaning Donald Trump pays the same rate as his limo drivers and doormen. A 10 year-old could tell you that's lopsided.

Here's the good news: our campaign is gaining steam. Last week, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver announced his support for raising taxes on the wealthy, asking rhetorically: "Is it fair to ask the people who make more to pay a little bit more in this time of crisis?"

Please try to attend the following:

NY Alliance for HealthCare Reform will address the members and general public of neighboring communities of Glendale, Ridgewood, Maspeth,and Middle Village on the proposed budget cuts to healthcare and the devastating impact on all New Yorkers.

Time: Wednesday, February 11 - 6:30 PM - 7:30 PM
Host: NY Alliance for HealthCare Reform
Contact Phone: 917 593-0042
Location: Christ the King HS (Middle Village, NY)
6802 Metropolitan Ave Middle Village, NY 11379

PS - To find more Fair Share campaign events near you, check out the coalition's website: http://fairsharereform.com/local/

Sources

1. "YOU HURT, THEY PROSPER" New York Post, February 9, 2009. http://www.nypost.com/seven/02092009/postopinion/editorials/you_hurt__they_prosper_154177.htm

2. See the cuts Gov. Paterson has proposed: http://fairsharereform.com/content/pages/the_cuts

3. Read about the Fair Share Tax Reform plan: http://fairsharereform.com/content/pages/fair_share_plan

4. Read the economists' letter: http://fairsharereform.com/economists

Councilman Joe Addabbo, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan & WFP Call on Senate to Get Serious About Paid Family Leave...

66% of Mothers with Young Children Work Outside the Home

20% of Adults Care for an Elderly Relative

78% of People Who Need Family Leave Can’t Afford to Take IAt

Left to Right:Jane Thompson: Working Families Party, Martha Baker: NYS Coalition for Paid Family Leave, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, Melanie Castellano & Sean McCabe with their two month old daughter Kiera, and Councilman Joe Addabbo at the Learning Tree Early Childhood Center in Middle Village.

Councilman Joe Addabbo joined with Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan, the Working Families Party (WFP), the NY Coalition for Paid Family Leave, and a new mother to call on the state senate to finally get serious about Paid Family Leave (PFL). Addabbo lambasted the Senate Republicans’ lackluster effort to address the growing concern in the labor force between family/work balance. Citing a late session, one house bill which was introduced by Republican Senator Thomas Morahan, and co-sponsored by a number of his colleagues including Senator Maltese, Addabbo dismissed the legislation as a pathetic attempt to guarantee political cover, rather than a legitimate policy initiative. In June, 30 Senate Democrats signed a letter in support of the legislation, in addition to the four sponsoring Republicans, which would’ve passed had the leadership brought it to a vote.

"There are thousands of people across this state who every day have to choose between caring for a newborn child, or a sick family member, and putting food on the table. Women represent 53% of the state’s workforce yet Paid Family Leave eludes us. The bill put forth in June is tantamount to an empty gesture, rather than the real life legislation New Yorkers deserve. This is a serious issue which warrants much more than a signature,” said Councilman Joe Addabbo who chairs the Committee on Civil Service & Labor in the City Council.

“The Senate has bottled action which would be of minimal cost to business, and in fact strengthen our work force. Working mothers still remain the primary care giver to their children and relatives, and it’s time that New York State caught up with the changing face of labor. Bottom line: New York is not doing enough for young mothers and working people,” added Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan who sponsored the legislation in the New York State Assembly.

Studies by the New York Women’s Foundation found that the state ranks in the bottom third of states for women’s labor force participation (44th); and African American and Latina women are much less likely to be in managerial or professional occupations relative to white and Asian American women. However, women continue to enter the workforce at an increasing rate, and New York is no different.

Paid Family Leave is an initiative that would expand New York’s existing Temporary Disability Insurance program (TDI) to cover a worker who needs time off to care for a newborn or newly adopted child, or a seriously ill family member. Workers would receive up to 12 weeks of benefits. Under the current Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) program, benefits are relatively low: 50% of a claimant's average weekly wage, up to a maximum of $170 a week. The current Paid Family Leave proposal would extend the same level of benefits to new situations.

According to June 2008 estimates by the Department of Insurance, PFL would only cost about $8/person annually or 16 cents/week, which translates into a 10-15% increase in disability premiums.

In polls by the Community Service Society, New Yorkers across income levels said they would be willing to pay for a paid family leave benefit. Seventy-six percent of low-income New Yorkers and 64% of moderate and higher income New Yorkers said they would favor extending TDI to provide up to 12 weeks of paid family leave even if it meant $1 a week would be deducted from their paychecks. (Source: 2005 Unheard Third Survey, CSS).

“Serf Maltese’s insincere support of a one house bill which reads like a 3^rd grade book report is an insult to working families everywhere. Maltese boasts of passing over 200 bills in his career, so why is it that suddenly a senior member of the Senate cannot advance a bill which bares his name? Albany’s continued willingness to play politics with the practical application of our lives is reckless and wrong,” added Martha Baker from the New York Coalition for Paid Family Leave, and a resident of Forrest Hills.

“Senator Maltese and the Republican leadership in the State Senate have failed the working men and women of this state by playing games with the important issue of Paid Family Leave,” said Jane Thompson, Executive Committee member of the Working Families Party and Political Director of the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union. “Too many workers aren’t able to afford to take time off of work after the birth of a new child or when a family member is seriously ill. That is why we need Joe Addabbo as our State Senator in Albany. He will provide the leadership necessary to move this issue to the forefront and get legislation passed.”

Addabbo went on to detail further the relevant demographic statistical data from the 2000 Census for the 15^th senate district represented by Serf Maltese:

• 10,995 women (16-65+) without a disability live below the poverty level

• 60,692 women in the labor force

• 4,848 women collect unemployment (as opposed to the 67,017 women who are just not in the labor force)

• 7,871 households (married, male head only, female head only) who are below the poverty line (this includes everyone, no matter what sort of public assistance they do or do not receive.)

• 84,720 households with wage or salary income

• 27, 242 households with no wage or salary income.

“I received six weeks paid disability from my job at a local Key Food, but it’s not enough. Times are particularly tough and they’re only going to get tougher with more mouths to feed. I’m lucky to be part of a supportive family, but I have to go back to work sooner than I would like. These first few months with my daughter are some of the most precious, but unfortunately I won’t be around as much as I would like,” said Melanie Castellano as she held her eight week old daughter, Kiera.

California’s Paid Family Leave law, enacted in 2004 has been extremely successful, even saving small businesses an estimated $89 million dollars a year in decreased turnover and a savings of $25 million a year to state on disability assistance.

Similarly, advocates have used California to illustrate the benefit to employers and as well as employees.

In 1993 President Clinton signed the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) into law, allowing covered and eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave from a job to attend to their own health, the health of a family member, or to spend time with a new child. Much data exist, however, indicating that while many Americans need to take leave for family or medical reasons, a significant percentage of these individuals do not take leave because they cannot afford to miss a paycheck. Twenty-eight states have identified this shortcoming in the current law and the adverse impact it has had on employees and their employers. However, only California, New Jersey, and Washington have actually passed Paid Family Leave into law.

Our Decision - Working Families Party Ad on Term Limits Very Effective...

Councilman Addabbo and Working Family Party Canvass Cover the 15th Senate District

Councilman Joe Addabo and Working Families Party canvassers mugged for the camera outside of the Councilman's Howard Beach campaign office. Residents around the 15^th senate district have been noticing scores of young people as they flood the streets in the evening hours, going door to door for Joe Addabbo. It's not uncommon for neighbors to find themselves in conversation about their concerns, the election, or why Councilman Addabbo should be their next state senator. The effort is part of a well mobilized grass roots campaign, lead by the Councilman himself who can be found on week nights pounding the pavement.