This Past Week
We would like to express our gratitude to the TMI Project for hosting “#BlackStoriesMatter:Live!” this past Saturday. This venue-packing (Thanks, Pointe of Praise!) event celebrated some phenomenal members of our community while highlighting the reasons why racial justice is such a vital consideration in all of the work we do.
If our recent battles have taught us anything, it’s that nothing is more crucial to building a better future than a quality education for all children. Unfortunately, our state does not seem to be making this a priority. Ten years ago, the Foudation Aid Formula was developed and, legally, mandated by the Court of Appeals. This budget acknowledges the deficits in funding currently provided to New York’s schools, particularly those that primarily teach students of color, and provided a framework to improve quality and equity between all districts. The state has responded not only by failing to provide the aid that was promised, but pushing to repeal the policy which demands it. With the newest budget under senate scrutiny, now is the time to ensure that a minimum of $1.47 billion (of the $4.3 billion owed) is granted to the schools this year. We will be targeting this week’s outreach actions to ensure that this happens.
Looking Ahead
Start your week off with us at the Kingston Kingston office tonight (Monday) for a 5:30 phonebanking session. We have everything you’ll need except an extra phone, so please bring yours.
If you’ve met us before, consider joining our Federal Fight Back committee at 6:00 p.m. to discuss how we can continue to keep the ACA safe. This week was a victory, but the fight’s not over.
Tell a friend about Tuesday’s Action Night at 5:30 p.m. in our Kingston office, where we will be introducing new members to our ongoing projects (over a delicious meal, courtesy of our food team).
You are also invited to find a cozy spot with your cell phone and help us out by phonebanking. Shelley will be in the back office and can set you up with everything you need.
Wednesday: Reach out! Meet us at the Kingston Office at 5:30 p.m., where we will gather materials and run through our talking points before heading out for community canvassing.
Our Education Committee will also be meeting at 6:00 p.m. to brainstorm ways to improve school policies beginning with our local districts.
While we do not have any events scheduled for this Thursday, we encourage you to take a moment to contact your senator and make it clear that we will accept no less than a $1.47 billion allotment towards education this year.
Despite the welcomed failure of the current administration’s first attempt to repeal the ACA, it’s clear that John Faso still does not hear our message. For this reason, we will continue to keep it loud outside of his office at
721 Broadway in Kingston, every Friday at noon.
Get to know your neighbors. Join us for another round of canvassing on Saturday at 10 a.m. (right after most people have had their morning coffee)!
5 Ways to Help in 5 Minutes or Less:
1) Become a monthly sustaining member of Citizen Action.
2) The power of the people is strong here in The Hudson Valley, but when we’re discussing policies that affect the entire state, or even the country, it’s critical to ensure that our words are heard from all directions. Do you have a cool cousin in Rochester who always sings the loudest at birthday parties? Did your mom help you make your first protest sign in her Staten Island kitchen? Make sure everyone you love stays engaged, and help them out by tracking down their congressman and senator. People are more inclined to call when the number is right in front of them, especially in an email from their favorite activist!
3) You’ll notice that we rarely schedule events on Sundays. That’s because Sunday’s full name is “Self-Care Sunday.” As much as it helps us to have you at every meeting, strolling down the street with a clipboard, standing with us at our historically sunny-yet-chilly Faso Fridays, it also helps us every time you dance around your living room or meet a friend for breakfast. You do your best when you’re feeling your best, so stay well.
4) While you’re on the line with Amedore, remind him to #RaiseTheAge! New York is one of only two states that still puts children in adult prisons, and this year’s budget could change that.
5) Keep in touch with John Faso . He’s told us several times that he’s too busy to come out and see us, so he can take our calls from inside any of these offices: Kingston: (845) 514-2322 DC: (202) 225-5614 Delhi: (607) 746-9537 Kinderhook: (518) 610-8133 https://twitter.com/RepJohnFaso and tag @hv_cany
