(1) Today at Noon! Clean Money press conference at City Hall - New Zogby Poll, Mon. Apr. 28

Citizen Action NY is hosting a press conference on the steps of City Hall today at noon to announce the results of a new Zogby poll showing broad support in NY for full public financing of campaigns.  Please join us - the more people we have, the stronger message we will send about getting big money out of politics.

When:  Today, Monday, April 28, 12 Noon - 1pm

Where: City Hall in Manhattan (in front of the steps)

Why: To make public a Zogby Poll which shows that New Yorkers Overwhelmingly support Full Public Funding of Elections for New York State.

Who: Legislators both in the NY State Assembly and Senate, Citizen Action of New York, Coalition Partners and Community Activists

More Info on Clean Money Clean Elections:  http://www.citizenactionny.org/cmce/cmceindex.html


(2) Want Reform in Albany?  Get on the Bus Tomorrow, (Tues, Apr. 29) or Make a Phone Call

Reform Day is a yearly grassroots event in which good government groups and concerned citizens from all over New York State go to Albany by bus to talk to elected officials about reform in Albany.  Tomorrow is the 2008 Reform Day, and there are still a few seats on the NYC buses.

The NYC bus will leave from 6th Avenue and Spring Street at 6am.   It will make another pickup at 42nd Street and Park Avenue (Southeast corner) at 6:30am.  Bus are expected to return to NYC at about 7:30pm.

We understand that many people who want Albany reform cannot take a day trip to Albany.  So if you can't go, please call your Assemblymember and your State Senator; see Section (3) below.  

A message from DFNYC's Dan Jacoby:

    Reform NY Day is tomorrow Tuesday, April 29.  We need more people to sign up for the bus trip to Albany.  This is your opportunity to tell elected officials that we need reforms in four areas:  Ethics Reform, Rules Reform, Campaign Finance Reform, and Redistricting Reform.

    Ethics Reform:  We are pushing for an independent oversight agency for both the executive and legislative branches, strengthening the ban on personal use of campaign contributions, and other restrictions.

    Rules Reform:  Four years ago, the Brennan Center for Justice released a report calling for significant rules reform.  Since then, very little action has been taken to open up the legislative process, and "three men in a room" is still the method of operation.  We are calling for rules changes that allow our legislators to be active participants in the process.

    Campaign Finance Reform:  While some groups in the current reform coalition have not signed on to "Clean Money, Clean Elections," we are calling for public financing of campaigns, significantly lowering campaign contribution limits, limiting transfers from "soft money" accounts, tightening reporting requirements, and strengthening enforcement.

    Redistricting Reform:  We are calling for an independent districting commission, rather than allowing legislators to draw the district lines.

    TO SIGN UP:
    Go to http://www.commoncause.org/site/pp.asp?c=dkLNK1MQIwG&b=3960281.
    You can also see details about bus schedules and departure locations.

    We still have plenty of room on the bus!

    - Dan Jacoby
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(3) Can't Go To Albany Tomorrow?  Make a Phone Call - List of Assemblymembers' Phone #s

We understand that many people who want Albany reform cannot take a day trip to Albany tomorrow.  So if you can't go, please help us get reform by calling your Assemblymember and your State Senator and encourage them to pass the Reform Day proposals.

First, it is important to ask about specific reform proposals.  Please tell your Senator, Assemblymember, or their staff to support the proposals that Reform Day advocates have developed:   

   Ethics Reform: We are pushing for an independent oversight agency for both the executive and legislative branches, strengthening the ban on personal use of campaign contributions, and other restrictions.

    Rules Reform: Four years ago, the Brennan Center for Justice released a report calling for significant rules reform. Since then, very little action has been taken to open up the legislative process, and "three men in a room" is still the method of operation. We are calling for rules changes that allow our legislators to be active participants in the process.

    Campaign Finance Reform: While some groups in the current reform coalition have not signed on to "Clean Money, Clean Elections," we are calling for public financing of campaigns, significantly lowering campaign contribution limits, limiting transfers from "soft money" accounts, tightening reporting requirements, and strengthening enforcement.

    Redistricting Reform: We are calling for an independent districting commission, rather than allowing legislators to draw the district lines.

Jimmy's number one priority is to reform the broken system in Albany. While the Albany tradition of backroom deals continues every piece of progressive legislation hangs in the balance. Jimmy knows that leadership is driven by the grassroots, not special interests or big developers.

Health care for all, environmental protection, and economic empowerment are at the core of a New York State Democratic majority. While our education system is at a dangerous crossroads, Jimmy will fight to reform school funding to provide a solid education for every child.