Capital District
One Person, One Vote
The principle of ‘one person, one vote,’ is a sacred component of our democracy in the United States. But, here in New York, when it comes to counting people in prison, representation is anything but equal.
Last Thursday (January 28th), we kicked-off a new campaign to end prison-based gerrymandering, the undemocratic system for using people in [...]
We continue to fight, Murphy Continues to Support HCAN’s Principles
by Chris Scoville, Capital District Organizer
Yesterday, we took to the streets in Saratoga Springs. We walked up and down Broadway asking folks to call into Congressman Murphy’s office and sign our StandUpScott.org petition. As we were canvassing, we ran into the Congressman – the man we have been directing so much of our energy towards and the reason why we were in Saratoga. He stopped to speak with us and even agreed to wear a Health Care for America Now sticker!
Visit StandUpScott.org
Visit our new website, StandUpScott.org, to sign a petition urging Congressman Scott Murphy to make good on his commitment to his constituents and those who helped elect him by voting for the final health care reform bill.
Add your voice to the petition:
He Came to Us! Let’s Keep the Pressure On
by Chris Scoville, Capital District Organizer
Last Saturday, Congressman Murphy voted against his constituents and all those in favor of quality, affordable health care. Prior to the vote, we held a rally outside his Clifton Park office as one last push to let the Congressman know that we were counting on him to represent us and make good on his commitment to support health care reform. Our plan was to do a follow up rally at the same office a week later – hopefully a thank you event. We organized a rally but it was not the thank you event we had hoped for. When we reached out to the same people we had reached out to for the pressure rally people were discouraged. People felt that there was no hope and had given up on Congressman Murphy. People were mad.
No letting up until real reform is passed!
by Chris Scoville, Capital District Organizer
Last night over 60 concerned citizens, community activists and union members turned out in the rain to ask Congressman Murphy to do what is best for the district, the state and the country and vote for the House health care bill. Simultaneously representatives from Citizen Action and Health Care for America Now were meeting with the Congressman in Washington making clear to him how much his district stands to gain from passage of the House bill.
Strength Through Struggle, Thank You Senator Schumer
by Chris Scoville, Capital District Organizer
This past Tuesday, the Senate Finance Committee became the first congressional battleground for the public option. The public option continues to be the most contentious element of the health care reform packages being discussed and what we see as the key reform piece that will rein in big insurance companies who, under our current system, have been able to raise premiums and deny coverage at will.
Big Insurance is the Problem
On Tuesday, activists in dozens of state across the US protested the unfair, profiteering, and crisis-causing practices of big private insurance companies in America. In New York, Citizen Action focused on two of our state’s worst: United Healthcare and GHI/HIP.
We held protests in New York City, Long Island, Albany, Binghamton, and Buffalo, and used the [...]
Today is Primary Day – Go Vote!
Tomorrow is Primary Day in New York, and Citizen Action has endorsed candidates in Albany, New York City and Binghamton.
Be sure to get out to vote tomorrow, and to lend a hand to these candidates if you can.
The Obama Grassroots re-energized
by Diana Cihak, Western New York Organizer
Yes, we had a disappointing weekend.
It appeared that the Administration we worked so hard to elect was backing away from our strongest mandate – true health care reform through a strong public option.
But every cloud has a silver lining!
Corey Ellis Calls for Action on Vacant Buildings in Albany
Earlier today, Albany Common Councilman Corey Ellis, Citizen Action’s endorsed candidate for Mayor, demanded action on one of the City’s most prevalent problems: vacant buildings and the resulting loss of tax revenue.
Surrounded by supporters at 16 Lexington Avenue in Albany, on a block full of vacant buildings, Ellis layed out a plan of action to [...]
