Dear Activist,
A new report today shows just how dependent New York elected officials are on big donors. It found that only 16% of campaign donations to Assembly leaders in the last election cycle came from people in their own districts. In many cases, less than 10 actual constituents donated. When campaigns are being powered by big outside money, we get representation that doesn’t represent us. This is why we need small donor public financing—so that our elected leaders fight for our priorities, not the priorities of big money interests.
– Ravi
AROUND THE STATE
New York community groups came together at the Capitol to roll out their “Beyond Amazon” plan–a new approach to economic development focused on building up communities, not subsidizing giant corporations.
Campaigns Manager Stanley Fritz joined criminal justice advocates in calling on Governor Cuomo to sign the gravity knife reform bill into law. The gravity knife ban unfairly targets Black and Brown New Yorkers who are routinely arrested for possessing tools they use for work.
The Long Island Progressive Coalition joined Long Island elected leaders in calling for the passage of the Climate and Community Protection Act this session. We can’t afford to wait when it comes to taking action to stop the climate crisis.
THIS WEEK IN ACTIVISM HISTORY
On May 22nd, 1930, gay rights activist Harvey Milk was born. Milk, the first openly gay elected official in the history of California, was assassinated in 1978
UPCOMING EVENTS
Citizen Action’s annual Justice Works conference will held on July 20th and 21st in Albany. Join hundreds of other organizers and activists and help build our movement.
Albany – Tuesday, May 28th at 5:30 pm – Grass is Greener Screening and Panel Discussion – Screening followed by a community discussion on marijuana legalization. RSVP on Facebook
New York City – Tuesday, May 28th at 6:30 pm – Grass is Greener Screening and Panel Discussion – Screening followed by a community discussion on marijuana legalization. RSVP on Facebook
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