Friday, January 23, 2009
Senator Gillibrand
That has a very nice ring to it...Congratulations to our newest Senator. Thank you to Governor Paterson.
Friday, January 16, 2009
On Selecting Senator Clinton's Replacement
January 14, 2009
Governor David Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson,
We applaud your determination to confront the complex issues facing NY in these difficult times. As you navigate the challenges presented by the budget and economy, and manage the political pressures that accompany them, we offer you our support. We are also confident that you will continue to act on your often-stated commitment to equal representation by women and minorities in public office. The unprecedented national excitement that greets the impending inauguration of President Obama demonstrates the importance we place on the principle of inclusion of all who are well qualified, and our nation’s joy at its validation.
It's a great honor that NY Senator Hillary Clinton has been nominated to be the next Secretary of State. Her anticipated confirmation presents you with the opportunity and responsibility to name her successor. Our next Senator should be of unquestioned qualifications, highest ethical standards, and one who embraces the ideals and commitments to social justice that Senator Clinton has embodied.
With Hillary Clinton, the US Senate currently includes only 17 women—17%. Only 37 women total have served in the Senate, of more than 1600 since our nation was founded—2%.
As you know, we have no shortage of qualified, successful women statewide, of all ethnicities and from many professional realms, who contribute much to our great state. Our energetic and diverse population is a great asset. With many working mothers, female heads of household and women business leaders it is vital that we are adequately represented in our government. Yet, according to Eleanor’s Legacy, the US ranks only 69 th world-wide in women office holders. Surprisingly, NY is only 23 rd in the nation, not the standard of leadership that Democratic women, the majority of our party, have a right to expect.
Women's voices must be heard during the deliberations of the powerful. Democratic women should be better represented at all levels of government. The Governors of Illinois, Delaware and Colorado did not take the opportunity to add to that number.
We do not write to press for a particular candidate--many are qualified, but to ask you not to go backwards by replacing the first woman elected by the people to serve as Senator from NY with another man.
Respectfully,
Ulster County Democratic Women
Julie McQuain, President
Governor David Paterson
State Capitol
Albany, NY 12224
Dear Governor Paterson,
We applaud your determination to confront the complex issues facing NY in these difficult times. As you navigate the challenges presented by the budget and economy, and manage the political pressures that accompany them, we offer you our support. We are also confident that you will continue to act on your often-stated commitment to equal representation by women and minorities in public office. The unprecedented national excitement that greets the impending inauguration of President Obama demonstrates the importance we place on the principle of inclusion of all who are well qualified, and our nation’s joy at its validation.
It's a great honor that NY Senator Hillary Clinton has been nominated to be the next Secretary of State. Her anticipated confirmation presents you with the opportunity and responsibility to name her successor. Our next Senator should be of unquestioned qualifications, highest ethical standards, and one who embraces the ideals and commitments to social justice that Senator Clinton has embodied.
With Hillary Clinton, the US Senate currently includes only 17 women—17%. Only 37 women total have served in the Senate, of more than 1600 since our nation was founded—2%.
As you know, we have no shortage of qualified, successful women statewide, of all ethnicities and from many professional realms, who contribute much to our great state. Our energetic and diverse population is a great asset. With many working mothers, female heads of household and women business leaders it is vital that we are adequately represented in our government. Yet, according to Eleanor’s Legacy, the US ranks only 69 th world-wide in women office holders. Surprisingly, NY is only 23 rd in the nation, not the standard of leadership that Democratic women, the majority of our party, have a right to expect.
Women's voices must be heard during the deliberations of the powerful. Democratic women should be better represented at all levels of government. The Governors of Illinois, Delaware and Colorado did not take the opportunity to add to that number.
We do not write to press for a particular candidate--many are qualified, but to ask you not to go backwards by replacing the first woman elected by the people to serve as Senator from NY with another man.
Respectfully,
Ulster County Democratic Women
Julie McQuain, President
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
local HIV Prevention Center needs $$
From Jane Elven:
Because I know that you're a kindred spirit—that you truly care about people who's lives are more painful than most of us can imagine, I want to share the following letter that we received from "Betty" (not her real name), one of the women with whom we work at Planned Parenthood's HIV Prevention Outreach Center in Kingston. I must admit that I'm sharing this with you because I want to make sure that the work we do with people like Betty can continue. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute funds this project, and has reduced our budget 19.6% in the last two months. And, the cuts are retroactive, so that the 19.6% will have to come from the grant money we have not yet spent, which really means that we have to cut 39.2% from the remaining funds. Thus we'll need to somehow provide the next six months of services with nearly 40% less money. To do this we'll not only have to cut staff (there are only two full time and one part time staff now), reduce the number of days we're open to help people, and for the next six months purchase absolutely no supplies—not even condoms.
I'm not at all clear how to do effective HIV prevention without condoms, so I'm asking everyone I know for help. We need at least $10,000 to keep the doors open part time. $20,000 will let us continue to offer our vulnerable population the level of services we've provided for the last four and a half years. This means if 10 people donate $1,000 we could limp along (with fewer hours but at least we could give out condoms), and if 20 people do that, we could keep-on-keeping-on at full speed. Or, maybe 100 to 200 people could give us $100, or 200 to 400 people $50, or 400 to 800 $25, or any combination of the above. In these disastrous economic times it might feel good to know that even very small donations—$10, $5, $1—taken together can do so much for so many of our people who could soon have even less than the little they had a month ago.
If you're able to help please send a check as soon as you can, made out to Planned Parenthood. To make sure that the money goes to this project, please write "HIV Prevention Project" on the memo line . Then mail it to Planned Parenthood, 178 Church Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Because we need a lot of people to help a little, please feel free to forward this widely and wildly!
I know the letter below is a little long. And, even if you're not able to donate anything now, I do hope that you'll take the time to read it—simply because it's likely to warm your heart and give you hope not only for women like Betty, but for all of us.
From my heart to yours, thank you on behalf of those we serve.
Jane Elven
Because I know that you're a kindred spirit—that you truly care about people who's lives are more painful than most of us can imagine, I want to share the following letter that we received from "Betty" (not her real name), one of the women with whom we work at Planned Parenthood's HIV Prevention Outreach Center in Kingston. I must admit that I'm sharing this with you because I want to make sure that the work we do with people like Betty can continue. The New York State Department of Health AIDS Institute funds this project, and has reduced our budget 19.6% in the last two months. And, the cuts are retroactive, so that the 19.6% will have to come from the grant money we have not yet spent, which really means that we have to cut 39.2% from the remaining funds. Thus we'll need to somehow provide the next six months of services with nearly 40% less money. To do this we'll not only have to cut staff (there are only two full time and one part time staff now), reduce the number of days we're open to help people, and for the next six months purchase absolutely no supplies—not even condoms.
I'm not at all clear how to do effective HIV prevention without condoms, so I'm asking everyone I know for help. We need at least $10,000 to keep the doors open part time. $20,000 will let us continue to offer our vulnerable population the level of services we've provided for the last four and a half years. This means if 10 people donate $1,000 we could limp along (with fewer hours but at least we could give out condoms), and if 20 people do that, we could keep-on-keeping-on at full speed. Or, maybe 100 to 200 people could give us $100, or 200 to 400 people $50, or 400 to 800 $25, or any combination of the above. In these disastrous economic times it might feel good to know that even very small donations—$10, $5, $1—taken together can do so much for so many of our people who could soon have even less than the little they had a month ago.
If you're able to help please send a check as soon as you can, made out to Planned Parenthood. To make sure that the money goes to this project, please write "HIV Prevention Project" on the memo line . Then mail it to Planned Parenthood, 178 Church Street, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601. Because we need a lot of people to help a little, please feel free to forward this widely and wildly!
I know the letter below is a little long. And, even if you're not able to donate anything now, I do hope that you'll take the time to read it—simply because it's likely to warm your heart and give you hope not only for women like Betty, but for all of us.
From my heart to yours, thank you on behalf of those we serve.
Jane Elven
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Fair Pay Act Passes in House
Now its the Senate's turn to finally do the right thing so that women are paid fairly, and there is a workable process for challenges to unfair pay. The Senate is scheduled to vote on the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Fair Paycheck Act this week.
Contact yoursenators and tell them how you feel. This website allows for easy access:
https://secure2.convio.net/npwf/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=223&AddInterest=1343&JServSessionIdr006=73386tyy32.app5b
Contact yoursenators and tell them how you feel. This website allows for easy access:
https://secure2.convio.net/npwf/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=223&AddInterest=1343&JServSessionIdr006=73386tyy32.app5b
Monday, December 22, 2008
Fair & Equal Pay in 2009!
Please go to Women's eNews womensenewstoday@womensenews.org for a wonderful article
"Fair Pay Springs Back Onto Agenda of NY Lobbyists"
By Alison Bowen WeNews correspondent
New Fair Pay legislation is being proposed for NY State,and this time there is great hope that it will pass!
The Fair Pay Act in New York bill would provide workers back pay along with punitive damages,cover employees who had comparable job titles, not just identical positions, (for instance teaching assistants make less than school janitors). The bill would also outlaw intimidating an employee for disclosing his or her salary to co-workers. (Workers are sometimes fired for revealing their salary to discourage wage comparisons.)
The New York State Assembly has passed this bill twice,but it has not passed the Senate. But now that the Senate is controlled by the Democrats...
"Fair Pay Springs Back Onto Agenda of NY Lobbyists"
By Alison Bowen WeNews correspondent
New Fair Pay legislation is being proposed for NY State,and this time there is great hope that it will pass!
The Fair Pay Act in New York bill would provide workers back pay along with punitive damages,cover employees who had comparable job titles, not just identical positions, (for instance teaching assistants make less than school janitors). The bill would also outlaw intimidating an employee for disclosing his or her salary to co-workers. (Workers are sometimes fired for revealing their salary to discourage wage comparisons.)
The New York State Assembly has passed this bill twice,but it has not passed the Senate. But now that the Senate is controlled by the Democrats...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Girlfriend battering
Hiram Monserrate a state senator-elect was arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. What makes this even sadder,is that he worked against domestic violence as a memberof the NYPD. Battery happens across class,race,profession,etc.lines.... Its a (out of ) control issue.
From Julie:
Councilman Arrested On Assault Charges NY1, NY - 51 minutes ago Outgoing Queens City Councilman Hiram Monserrate was arrested this morning for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Police were called to Long Island Jewish ...
Quinn Refers Monserrate Case To Ethics, Smith Reserves Judgment New York Daily News, NY - 55 minutes ago Hiram Monserrate, charged with assaulting his girlfriend this morning, falls into a weird elected-official purgatory with one foot out the door of the City ...
Monserrate Still at Precinct, Smith Has No Comment New York Observer, NY - 1 hour ago by Jimmy Vielkind on December 19, 2008 ALBANY—State Senator Malcolm Smith is not commenting on news that his fellow Queens Democrat and soon-to-be-colleague ...
Smith has no comment; public officers’ law Albany Times Union, NY - 2 hours ago Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith has no comment about the the arrest of Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate, according to Smith spokesman Austin Shafran. ...
A Controversy Magnet New York Daily News, NY - 2 hours ago Senator-elect Hirram Monserrate appears to have a hard time keeping his anger in check. A reader reminds me that Monerrate, a former NYPD officer, ...
Trouble For Former “Gang Of Four” Member Politics on the Hudson, NY - 2 hours ago New York City Councilman and Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate has been arrested for allegedly attacking and cutting his girlfriend with a broken bottle, ...
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-nyhira1220,0,57463.story
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/12/19/2008-12-19_queens_city_councilman_hiram_monserrate_.html
From Julie:
Councilman Arrested On Assault Charges NY1, NY - 51 minutes ago Outgoing Queens City Councilman Hiram Monserrate was arrested this morning for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. Police were called to Long Island Jewish ...
Quinn Refers Monserrate Case To Ethics, Smith Reserves Judgment New York Daily News, NY - 55 minutes ago Hiram Monserrate, charged with assaulting his girlfriend this morning, falls into a weird elected-official purgatory with one foot out the door of the City ...
Monserrate Still at Precinct, Smith Has No Comment New York Observer, NY - 1 hour ago by Jimmy Vielkind on December 19, 2008 ALBANY—State Senator Malcolm Smith is not commenting on news that his fellow Queens Democrat and soon-to-be-colleague ...
Smith has no comment; public officers’ law Albany Times Union, NY - 2 hours ago Senate Democratic Leader Malcolm Smith has no comment about the the arrest of Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate, according to Smith spokesman Austin Shafran. ...
A Controversy Magnet New York Daily News, NY - 2 hours ago Senator-elect Hirram Monserrate appears to have a hard time keeping his anger in check. A reader reminds me that Monerrate, a former NYPD officer, ...
Trouble For Former “Gang Of Four” Member Politics on the Hudson, NY - 2 hours ago New York City Councilman and Senator-elect Hiram Monserrate has been arrested for allegedly attacking and cutting his girlfriend with a broken bottle, ...
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/crime/ny-nyhira1220,0,57463.story
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ny_crime/2008/12/19/2008-12-19_queens_city_councilman_hiram_monserrate_.html
Issues
A suggestion has been made that for 2009 the issues group meet as a book group-- to monthly read and discuss a political book,fiction and non-fiction.
If this idea is of interest, please respond. If you have a book suggestion list it in your response...
If this idea is of interest, please respond. If you have a book suggestion list it in your response...
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