The Comptroller's Race: Spitzer is In - Need Your Opinion

 

When DFNYC did a round of endorsements in April, we did not include the Comptroller's race.  There was just one candidate for the Democratic primary, Scott Stringer, and we generally only endorse in competitive races. Now that Eliot Spitzer has decided to run, DFNYC must decide whether to hold an endorsement vote. We're hearing a lot of interest in the race. Comptroller is a powerful position and also a stepping stone to higher office.

 

In recent newsletters, we asked for your opinion on whether we should hold an endorsement vote in the Comptroller's race, and many of you responded. Just to clarify, we are asking specifically whether DFNYC should hold a vote, not which candidate you are supporting, though we are happy to hear that as well. You can email your opinion to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. (Richard & Tracey)

 

Other races:  We might also consider endorsing in other races, at the borough and council level. Check out our Hot Races page, and let us know if there's race we should post or get involved in: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 

A few considerations for the Comptrollers Race:

 

a. Which Candidate?  Naturally, many people's response to the question "Should DFNYC hold an endorsement vote?" is "Well, who would you endorse?"  Putting aside whether it is fair to consider that factor, we can quite honestly say that we are not sure.  DFNYC leadership has been hearing from members, and there are strong supporters of both Scott Stringer and Eliot Spitzer, as well as many undecideds.

 

b. Candidate Questionnaire: We will likely have one that is specific to this race (we'll get a draft up on our website for your comments), and we'll post the candidates' answers at our website. In our experience, it is far more likely that the candidates will respond if we are actually holding an endorsement vote.

 

c. Timing & Threshold for Endorsement - 60%?: We would want to do the endorsement after candidate questionnaires are submitted, but early enough to be relevant to the Sept. 10th primary.  Also, in this cycle, we previously used a threshold of more than 50% in races with just two candidates.  We are considering, given the strong feelings in this races, that 60% is probably a better threshold for an endorsement to be a true reflection of our members' support.  Opinions? Send to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

 

d. Nature of the Endorsement: One argument against endorsing is that we have other endorsed candidates to help. One argument in favor is that by having candidate questionnaires and a vote of our members, we can help direct the attention on this race back to the issues and the power of the Comptroller's office.

 

e. No Endorsement Vote Possible: The choices would likely be both candidates, and No Endorsement, so it is possible that DFNYC members would vote No Endorsement. If you have any suggestions or concerns about the ballot, who/what should be included, etc., let us know: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Make Calls to Take Back Congress - Colbert Busch v. Mark Sanford - May 7 2013

There's a special election for Congress on Tuesday, May 7th, and Democrat Elizabeth Busch Colbert's campaign has a system where supporters can make phone calls, even if you don't live in the district. Click here to learn more.

Advocate for Sandy Victims in the Rockaways & Hamilton Beach - 3 Quick Phone Calls

 

DFNYC and more than 45 other organizations have signed on to a letter calling on the Governor and Mayor to acknowledge the problems facing the disadvantaged areas of Far Rockaway and Hamilton Beach after Hurricane Sandy.  There have been deaths from hypothermia, lack of hot food and nutrient supplements, and risk of asphyxiation from using gas stoves to heat apartments.

We are very happy to see that Gov. Cuomo has requested $30 billion from FEMA and we want to make sure that it is spent effectively.  There is concern that the Rockaways, which can be difficult to access and include some of the City's poorest residents, are not getting fair treatment. Click here to read Joe Nocera's op-ed in The New York Times. Also, volunteers on the ground are noticing far more needs and problems then the official reports that elected officials are receiving.

Please take just a moment to call the elected officials below, and ask that they insure that the Rockaways and Hamilton Beach receive the resources they need, for now and to rebuild their futures.

Governor Andrew Cuomo
-Albany Office Phone: 518-474-8390

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn
-District Office- Phone: 212-564-7757; Fax: 212-564-7347
-Legislative Office- Phone: 212-788-7210; Fax: 212-788-7207

Queens Borough President Helen Marshall
-Office Phone: 718-286-3000; Fax: 1-718-286-2876

Click here for the full letter to Gov. Cuomo & Mayor Bloomberg.

Maps:

Map showing of Far Rockaway. (Scroll down - NYT article from 2008.)

Basic map of NYC highlighting Rockaway Penninsula (Article about letter from artists)

 

 

Sign PCCC's Petition on Paid Sick Days in NYC

A message from Ethan Jacovy and Tyler Ross, PCCC organizers and New York residents:

(PCCC is the Progressive Change Campaign Committee)

More than a million New Yorkers can't take a sick day when they get ill. City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has the power to change that.

A super-majority of the City Council supports granting paid sick days for workers -- a progressive, pro-worker policy. All Speaker Quinn has to do is schedule a vote. But so far, she's refused.

Can you sign our joint petition with the New York Working Families Party telling Speaker Quinn to schedule a vote for paid sick days? Click here.

The New York Times strongly endorsed paid sick days this weekend -- describing that many workers "have to work when ill or take unpaid sick days, which can lead to financial hardship, or, worse, dismissal."

Speaker Quinn says she opposes this policy because it will hurt business. But similar laws in others cities show that's not true. The truth is that many big corporations just don't want to do right by their workers. (Rupert Murdoch opposed paid sick days via Twitter this weekend.)

Thanks for being a bold progressive.

-- Ethan Jacovy and Tyler Ross, PCCC organizers and New York residents