2010 Leadership Conference Binder Docs

AMOVEMENT

FROMMOMENTUM TO

BUILDING ON HEALTH CARE FOR A BETTER AMERICA

2010 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

MAY 15TH & 16TH, 2010

KERHONKSON, NY

CITIZEN ACTION OF NEW YORK

94 CENTRAL AVENUE, ALBANY NY 12206

739 MAIN STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14203 ● 40 WORTH STREET, SUITE 802, NEW YORK, NY 10013

435 STATE STREET, BINGHAMTON, NY 13901 ● 90 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, MASSAPEQUA, NY 11758

167 FLANDERS STREET, ROCHESTER, NY 14619 ● 2013 E. GENESEE STREET, SYRACUSE, NY 13210

WWW.CITIZENACTIONNY.ORG

FROMMOMENTUM TO AMOVEMENTBUILDING ON HEALTH CARE FOR A BETTER AMERICA

2010 LEADERSHIP SUMMIT - KERHOKSON, NY WWW.CITIZENACTIONNY.ORG

AGENDASATURDAY, MAY 15TH

9:00 - 9:30

9:30 - 10:00

10:00 - 12:30

12:30 - 1:00

1:00 - 2:30

2:45 - 5:15

Dutchess Room

Orange Room

Hudson Room

5:30 - 6:45

7:15 - 8:15

8:15 - ?

Registration

Leader Bingo

A New Vision for an Economy that Works for All of Us

Lunch

Citizen Action’s Strategic Role: Now and in 2020

Skill Workshop Tracks I

What Did We Win? The New Federal Health Reform Law and How to Talk About ItTurning Around Our Schools and Our CommunitiesBuilding a Better Education for our ChildrenHey, Government: You Work for Us! Strategies & Skills to Build Our Movement

Redefining Hope - Circle Discussions

Dinner

After-Hours Party

FROMMOMENTUM TO AMOVEMENTBUILDING ON HEALTH CARE FOR A BETTER AMERICA


AGENDASUNDAY, MAY 16TH

8:00 - 9:00

9:15 - 11:45

Dutchess Room

Orange Room

Hudson Room

11:45 - 12:15

12:15 - 1:00

1:00 - 2:00

Breakfast

Skill Workshop Tracks II

What Did We Win? The New Federal Health Reform Law and How to Talk About ItTurning Around Our Schools and Our CommunitiesBuilding a Better Education for our ChildrenHey, Government: You Work for Us! Strategies & Skills to Build Our Movement

Check-out of Hotel Rooms

LunchGuest Speaker William McNary, President, USAction

Closing Discussions at Tables

CO-SPONSORED BY THE PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION FUND OF NEW YORK - WWW.PPEFNY.ORG

Oppose Education Cuts: Citizen Action opposes Governor Paterson’s 2010-2011budget proposal to cut $1.4 billion in schools funding and to further stretch out the

phase-in of increased “foundation aid” to ten years. In the 2003 Campaign for Fiscal Equity decision, the court found that thestate was unconstitutionally underfunding schools, especially in districts with large numbers of low-income children, leading topassage in 2007 of a new funding formula. However, the state has repeatedly delayed providing the promised funding in thereform legislation. Further delay is unacceptable.Oppose After-School Cuts: Citizen Action opposes proposals by the Governor to cut the Advantage After-School Program from$30.5 million to $17.3 million and other vital after-school funding streams. After-school programs have a track record ofproviding kids with learning opportunities and keeping them safe after the regular school day.Greater Charter School Accountability: Charter schools were devised as laboratories of innovation to spur improvement ofregular public schools. In practice, this has not been the case in New York. Citizen Action, in concert with the Alliance forQuality Education, supports reforms to charter school regulation that increase accountability, transparency, parent andcommunity input, and that reduce the negative fiscal impact on the public school districts with large numbers of charters.

Rein-In High Premium Rates for Health Insurance: New York’s decision in the1990s to eliminate the authority of the State Insurance Department (SID) to approve

health insurance rate increases has been a disaster, leading to annual double-digit increases for many consumers. Nationalhealth care reform will not work if consumers cannot afford to pay their premiums. Citizen Action and Health Care for AllNew York support legislation to restore SID’s authority to approve rate increases for the small group and individual healthinsurance markets, as proposed in the Executive Budget. Both organizations also support the proposal for hearings to give thepublic the opportunity to comment on the impact of rate increases and other issues and to require insurers to devote at least90% of premium dollars to health care, rather than on big salaries, profits, administration and advertising. The Governor’sproposals are in A9708 and S6608.Reform the Insurance Markets in NYS to Work for Consumers:We support these reforms to the state’s insurance markets toenhance the goal of providing quality, affordable health care: 1) merging the direct pay and small group markets (reducingpremiums for individuals by more than 35%, while increasing funding for a joint stop-loss pool to avoid price increases forsmall businesses), 2) evenly splitting the Healthy NY stop-loss pool (which is rarely used) with the underfunded direct-pay pool,and 3) finishing reform of the Managed Care Consumer Bill of Rights.Expand Health Care Coverage and the Quality of Health Care: Citizen Action supports several simple steps to expandcoverage and the availability of health care to more New Yorkers. First, renewal of enrollment in public insurance programsshould be every two years rather than one, reducing disruptions for the insured and administrative costs to state government.Second, the Family Health Plus Buy-in program must be improved to bring down rates and to allow greater enrollment. Third,the state should continue to improve accountability for the Bad Debt and Charity Care Pool, which provides $847 million infunding to hospitals for the costs of providing health care for the insured and underinsured. Fourth, the “resource test” shouldbe eliminated for SSI-related Medicaid beneficiaries, as the state has recently done for most public insurance applicants.Finally, undocumented immigrants should be allowed to qualify for Emergency Medicaid in advance of emergency treatment,ensuring providers they will be paid for services and immigrants that they will receive care.

2010 PROGRAMLEGISLATIVE

EDUCATION

HEALTH CARE

Citizen Action of New York, a membership organization with chapters and affiliates throughout New York State that advocates forsocial, racial, economic and environmental justice, urges the Governor and the Legislature to take these steps to improve the lives ofNew Yorkers in 2010. Visit www.citizenactionny.org for updates to this program and for information on how to get involved!

02/01/10

In his 2010-2011 Executive Budget, Governor Paterson proposedcritical cuts to education, after-school, health care and othercritical human needs programs in order to close a projected $7.4

billion deficit. The magnitude of the cuts proposed is short-sighted, not only because of the critical need for these programs,but due to the detrimental economic impact of the cuts as we struggle to recover from a severe economic downturn. CitizenAction is working with its coalition partners to advocate for alternatives to generate additional revenues to mitigate the impactof the proposed cuts, such as a one-time tax on bankers’ cash bonuses and increasing the tax burden on the highest incomeNew Yorkers. We also support steps like further reforms of the Rockefeller Drug Laws that improve the lives of New Yorkerswhile saving taxpayers money.

Citizen Action supportsvoluntary publicfinancing of elections,

which allows candidates without personal wealth to effectively compete for office without having to raise money from wealthyindividuals. Rather than being forced to rely on large donors to pay for their campaigns, candidates are accountable to thepublic, ending their reliance on large, corporate and lobbyist campaign cash. As a result, elected officials can spend theirtime talking to voters instead of donors. Given the recent history of ethical violations by state elected officials, including theconviction of former Senator Majority Leader Joe Bruno for misuse of his office, and the recent Supreme Court decisionallowing unlimited spending on elections by corporations, public financing is necessary to restore confidence in stategovernment, and level the playing field in elections.

End Prison Gerrymandering:Today in New York, prisoners arecounted for purposes of the

drawing of election districts where they are incarcerated rather than where they live, even though they are prohibited formvoting and generally return to their home communities in an average of 34 months. This practice, known as “prisongerrymandering,” violates the cherished constitutional principle of one person, one vote -- that each person’s vote should countthe same through similarly-sized legislative districts. Communities which sadly send a disproportionate share of their residentsto prison have less representation in the legislature than they would otherwise have. Citizen Action therefore supportslegislation sponsored by Senator Schneiderman and Assemblyman Jeffries (S6725/A9834) to require the State Board ofElections to adjust the U.S. Census counts for congressional, state legislative, and county legislative districts to reflect theresidence of incarcerated persons based on the communities where they lived before incarceration.Marriage Equality:While most New Yorkers utilize marriage as the primary legal device to support their families and gainaccess to the literally 2,462 rights and responsibilities that the state and federal governments automatically bestow on marriedcouples, same-sex couples are prohibited from marrying here in New York. Citizen Action will continue to advocate formarriage equality legislation, despite its disappointing defeat in the State Senate in 2009.Adopt “Date of Discovery” Rule in Medical Malpractice Cases: State law currently requires that victims of medical malpracticebring their case within 2 ½ years of an act of malpractice, even in cases where they had no reason to know of themalpractice. Even in the case where a test like a mammogram misleads patients to believe they are not injured, patients whodon’t bring lawsuits within this period are unable to recover for their injuries. Citizen Action supports legislation (S.1729,Schneiderman/A.4627A, Weinstein) that would instead provide that victims may bring legal actions within 2 ½ years ofwhen they knew or should have known of an act of malpractice.

THE STATE BUDGET

CONSUMER AND CIVIL RIGHTS

PUBLIC FINANCING OF ELECTIONS

For more information on any of these policy priorities, please contact Bob Cohen, Policy Director, at [email protected] or 518.465.4600 x 104w w w . c i t i z e n a c t i o n n y . o r g

Citizen Action of New York’s Mission Statement:Citizen Action of New York is building a powerful membershiporganization for economic, racial, social and environmental justice.We work at the grassroots to give people a sense of their own power. Wework with organizations and coalitions in communities throughout NewYork, to win on key issues and elect progressive candidates at the local,state and federal levels. Citizen Action of New York has 20,000 members who work with a staff of25 from seven offices, located in Long Island, New York City, Albany,Binghamton, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo.In 2010, Citizen Action and PPEF are working for:● High quality, affordable health care for all.● A quality public education through high-school for all New York’s

children.● End Prison-Based Gerrymandering in New York● Fair tax policies that require the wealthy to pay their fair share.● Taking big money out of elections and reclaiming our

democracy through campaign finance reform.● Investing in America’s future by federal funding of basic human

needs, instead of tax cuts for the rich and corporations.Turn over to read about some of our victories from 1983 through 2010.

The Public Policy and Education Fundof New York

27 Years of Victories1983 - 2010

w w w . c i t i z e n a c t i o n n y . o r g

Education and After-SchoolAlliance for Quality Education - 2000 to present. As a co-chair of the Alliance for Quality Education,we led the statewide campaign that won landmark legislation providing billions of dollars to publicschools in New York, focused on children in high-needs districts. Since then we have won localcommitments to spend the money on proven educational programs like pre-K, smaller classes andafter-school programs. And we have stopped billions in proposed budget cuts.Coalition for After-School Funding - 2000 to 2008. Won tens of millions of dollars in additional stateand New York City funding for after-school programs. Better Health CareQuality, Affordable Health Care – 2010. Citizen Action was central to launching national and statecoalitions that helped win the most significant social reform since Social Security was passed in 1965. Hospital Financial Assistance - 2006. Won enactment of legislation that would require hospitals tostop overcharging, and provide discounted rates to low and moderate income people who cannototherwise afford to pay their hospital bills. Affordable Health Coverage - 1989 to 1999. Won expansion of health care to more than one millionlow-income families through Medicaid expansion (1989), Child Health Plus (1991) and Family HealthPlus (1999). Managed Care - 1996. Won passage of the Managed Care Bill of Rights to protect consumers fromthe unfair denial of medical treatment.Clean GovernmentClean Money Clean Election Legislation in New York State - 2003 to 2008. Formed a coalition of over80 organizations in support of a New York State Clean Money Clean Elections law. Won passage ofstrong public funding legislation by the Assembly in 2008, and strong support from the SenateDemocratic Leader and Conference. Won Dramatic Improvement in New York City’s Campaign Finance laws - 1998. Collected 90,000signatures to place a Clean Money, Clean Elections initiative on the New York City ballot, leading theCity Council to revamp the City’s law to provide a 4 to 1 match of public funds to match smallprivate contributions. Fair Tax PolicyFair Share Tax Reform - 2009. Won a more progressive New York State income tax and averted theworst cuts to health care, education and other social safety net programs that would fall hardest onpeople who could bear it the least: low income communities, people of color, immigrantcommunities, women and children. Democratic ParticipationChange New York, Change America. In 2004 Citizen Action volunteers made 650,000 contacts withvoters across the country. PPEF volunteers made 176,420 GOTV calls. In 2008, PPEF registered 15,000voters in NY and mobilized new and infrequent voters to vote. Citizen Action played a key role notjust for President, but also State Senate and Congress.Elected Progressive Local Candidates to Office - 1985 to present. Citizen Action recruited Boardmembers and other community leaders to run for office, and developed campaign managers,volunteer coordinators and campaign plans for their campaigns. Citizen Action elected many of ourcandidates to city councils, county legislatures and the state legislature across the state, includingover ten Citizen Action board members.Won local economic, racial and social justice policies. In cities, towns and counties across the state,we have won many local victories from living wage laws to community development to fair housing.This year, we brought a supermarket to the Northside of Binghamton.

How the New Health Care Law Helps

YOUYou can’t be denied health

insurance and your coverage

can’t be capped.

Insurance from work will be

better and cheaper.

Getting insurance for

individuals and families will

be cheaper, and there will be

help to pay for it.

Prescription drugs won’t

make you go broke.

Small businesses and non-

profits will get financial help

to provide insurance.

PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION FUND OF NEW YORK94 Central Avenue, Albany, NY 12206 • 518.465.4600 • fax-518.465.2890 • www.ppefny.org

For More Information On How to Get Health Coverage, Visit:

www.NYConsumerHealth.org

How the New Health Care Law Helps

YOU


For More Information On How to Get Health Coverage, Visit:

www.NYConsumerHealth.org

You can’t be denied insurance for a past illness. Children previously treated for diseases likecancer won’t be able to be denied coverage starting this year and adults by 2014. A new

special program will be set up this year for adults who can’t get coverage right now.

You can’t be dropped and your coverage can’t be capped. Gone are the days when you runout of coverage if you get cancer, HIV/AIDs or other serious illnesses: lifetime limits will bebanned this year and annual limits will be restricted now and eliminated in 2014.

If you have coverage through your job, it’s likely to be better and cheaper. When the lawfully kicks in, if your current insurance is too expensive, you’ll be able to buy insurance onyour own and get financial help to do it.

If you don’t have employer coverage, you’ll be able to purchase cheaper coverage than you

have today. If you earn up to roughly $88,000 a year (family of four), you’ll get financialaid to buy coverage: up to 1.6 million New Yorkers will be helped. Starting in 2014, you willbe able to buy cheaper coverage through “exchanges” - shopping malls for insurance.Exchanges will also set standards to keep insurers honest.

Small businesses and non-profits will get financial help to provide insurance for their

employees. Small businesses will get tax credits of up to 35% of their insurance premiumsthis year, rising to 50% in 2014. And starting in 2014, small employers will be able to purchasecheaper insurance through an exchange.

Seniors and others won’t go broke due to high drug costs. Seniors with high enoughexpenses so that they fall into the “donut hole” will get a $250 rebate check this year.Eventually, all costs will be covered. Co-pays and deductibles will eventually be limited forothers too.

Young people up to 29 have new coverage options. Starting this year, due to the new federallaw and a new state law, you can stay on your parent’s health insurance plan if you want.

Preventative services will be free. This protection, which starts this year, means you won’tbe stopped from getting necessary services like vaccinations and mammograms becauseof cost.

05/13/10

ON

HEALTH CARE

Liz came to the US from Ecuador in2008. In Ecuador, she finished highschool and studied InformationSystems. Liz also owned anelectronics business and was incharge of administration andaccounting, which was her passion.

16 years ago, after having her firstchild, something went wrong during a surgery and Liz was leftdisabled in a wheelchair. One of Liz’s life goals was to work in theU.S. She wants to be able to support herself and her family. Becauseshe loves working with numbers and accounting, one of her dreamsis to continue to take classes in these areas. She has started to achievethis goal, since she recently completed a course in preparing taxes,and now has a part time job.

Liz wants to continue studying and wants to improve her English soshe can work in the U.S. She had looked into having her grades fromEcuador transferred towards a GED here, and is just missing a fewdocuments from Ecuador for this to happen. Then, she is a step closerin attending a college or university in the U.S.

Some time ago, Liz went to NY Queens Hospital with an emergency.Liz is uninsured and ineligible for any public health insurance. Shehas three kids and is a single mother. Her children’s father provides$1,500 per month and she makes a modest living at her part timejob. She uses her money solely for living expenses and supplies forher kids, but Liz’s rent alone is $1,200 per month, which leaves verylittle for personal expenses, travel, supplies for school, clothing,household and medical needs.

After her visit to the hospital, Liz was left with medical bills, totalling$4,023.72.

With Make the Road New York’s help, Liz was able to apply forhospital charity care money to reduce the bills. Now she is onlyresponsible for $950 of her original bill, which she can pay in lowmonthly installments.

Charity care funding was integral to Liz’s ability to stay financiallyafloat. Without hospital charity care, she would not have been ableto pay her hospital bill - and would have gone into default. Liz ishappy that hospitals are able to provide charity care and hopes theycontinue to do so.

LIZ FROM QUEENS

New York State has historically been a leader in providingquality health care coverage to all New Yorkers. However,the cuts to health care in the 2010-11 Executive BudgetProposal will have devastating effects, especially tocommunities of color and immigrants.

When people can’t get quality care, they cannot work;when children are sick, they cannot focus in school. As aresult, their communities fall farther behind.

Without health care coverage many people are forced toturn to emergency rooms for treatment. Cutting health carefunding, including hospital charity care, quickly becomesan issue of life or death, not only for the individual, butalso their whole community.

Some key budget actions are:

Better choices could be made that would promote accessto quality health care for all New Yorkers.

• Increase co-payments for the FamilyHealth Plus Employer Buy-In Program

• Cuts charity care funds and fails toaddress the current lack ofaccountability for use of those funds

• Over $772.5 million in health care cuts

HOW BUDGET CHOICES AFFECT

Join Citizen Action of New York, Make the Road New York, andothers for the release of our new report

Race Matters: Impact of the 2010-11 Budget Proposal

including alternative revenue proposals.

LCA Room 130, LOB • Albany, NYTuesday, March 23rd, 2010 • 10:30 am


Liz is part of Make the Road New York

RACIAL EQUITY: HOW DOES THE EXECUTIVEBUDGET MEASURE UP ONThe New York State Fiscal Year (FY) 2010-2011 budget thatwill be enacted this spring will have a major impact on ourstate’s economy, our communities, our schools and our socialsafety net. The final choices will say a great deal about our priorities as a state and whether we are willing to makethe choices that will lead to economic recovery for all New Yorkers.

As we talk to people across the state, we find that New Yorkers want a just budget. Despite a deficit of over $8billion, New Yorkers want a budget that lifts up everyone, especially those who are facing hard economic times,that protects communities and families in crisis, and that provides New Yorkers with a path toward economicrecovery and a better future.

SOME KEY EXECUTIVE BUDGET ACTIONS:Require insurance companies to get prior approval by the State InsuranceDepartment of any rate increases for small groups and individuals.

Require that a minimum of 85% of premium dollars in small group and individualinsurance policies be spent on health care rather than other costs, like advertising,administration and profits.

Make nearly a billion in cuts to the health care system, including hospitals, nursinghomes, home care, personal care, and “wraparound” coverage under the ElderlyPharmaceutical Insurance Coverage (EPIC) program for those with Medicare Part D.

Simplify public insurance enrollment, including easier documentation processes and“express lane” enrollment of children in Medicaid and Child Health Plus.

PRIOR APPROVAL: New York’s decision in the 1990s to eliminate the authority of the State Insurance Department(SID) to approve health insurance rate increases has been a disaster, leading to annual double-digit increases formany consumers. Between 2000 and 2009, New Yorkers have faced average health insurance premium increasesof 97%, while only seeing their wages increase by an average of 14%. These premium increases have resulted in anenormous number of low and moderate income New Yorkers becoming insured, increasing stress on the state’s“safety-net” hospitals and other facilities and leading to quality declines.

HEALTH CARE CUTS: The nearly a billion dollars in proposed health care cuts is excessive, especially in light of therevenue alternatives that are available to the state. The health care safety net must be protected. An analysis of theimpact of each of the health care cuts in the budget should be undertaken by the state, with a significant emphasison the impacts on racial disparities on health care access and outcomes. At the same time, additional steps mustbe taken to ensure that funds going to hospitals for the Indigent Care Pool (also known as the Bad Debt and CharityCare Pool) are used for their intended purposes: to cover the costs of the insured and underinsured.

ENROLLMENT SIMPLIFICATION: Many eligible individuals are not enrolled in public health insurance programs, inpart due to unreasonable requirements that burden and stigmatize applicants. The proposed simplifications willreduce racial disparities in health care coverage by making it easier to enroll in existing programs. We encouragethe Governor and the Legislature to take further steps to increase participation in public insurance programs.

HEALTH CARE

BETTER BUDGET CHOICES CANDECREASE RACIAL DISPARITIESThe Executive Budget, which proposes to eliminate the $7.4 billion deficit by $1 billion in revenue measures and$5 billion in cuts to state services (the rest is mostly “non-recurring” revenues and revenues from increased taxaudits and recoveries), is not an equitable approach to address the fiscal crisis. The proposed cuts to education,social services and health care penalize the most vulnerable New Yorkers and are likely to have long-term negativeconsequences for the economic vitality of our state. We must find alternatives.

The budget proposes new revenue sources that are sound from the standpoint of fiscal policy and provide analternative to even more drastic cuts. However, the Better Choice Budget Campaign, a coalition of over onehundred labor, faith-based, human service and grassroots organizations that collectively represent over one millionNew Yorkers, the Alliance for Quality Education, an education reform group, and 1199SEIU have each proposedadditional revenue measures that would raise billions more to close the state budget deficit.

A SAMPLE OF ADDITIONAL REVENUE OPTIONS: • create higher personal income tax brackets of tax for people with annual incomes exceeding $1 million and

$5 million;• refinance state debt, taking advantage of lower interest rates ($500 million);• reduce the use of pricey private consultants ($200 million);• further reform the Brownfield clean-up program (roughly $1 billion);• close the stock transfer tax loophole ($3.2 billion); • close other corporate loopholes (over $200 million); and• institute a one-time tax on bankers’ cash bonuses of over $50,000 ($6-10 billion).

ADDITIONAL SOLUTIONS TO THE FISCAL CRISIS: • Federal Stimulus: the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) is helping the state close roughly one-

third of its budget gap in the current fiscal year, and saved an estimated 64,000 jobs statewide, but the aidprovided under ARRA is expiring. State leaders must join with stakeholders around the nation to convince theCongress to pass a second economic stimulus, or at a minimum, extend vital programs like FMAP (Medicaid),unemployment insurance, and COBRA (health insurance for the unemployed).

• Reserves: the state should use the $1.5 billion in the Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund and the State Rainy DayFund.

The best course is for the Legislature to reject the most serious cuts proposed in the Executive Budget, as it did in2009-2010, when, for example, it refused to cut school aid. The final choices made when a state budget is passedwill say a great deal about the priorities of our state in tough times, and even more about whether we are willing tomake the choices that will lead to economic recovery for all New Yorkers.The Public Policy and Education Fund and Citizen Action of New York will release our final 2010-2011 budget analysis in March. See our2009-10 “Race Matters” report at: http://citizenactionny.org/2009/03/race-matters-impact-of-the-2009-10-executive-budget-proposal/719.


FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT BOB COHEN, 518.465.4600 X 104, [email protected]

THE FIGHT FOR EDUCATION IN 2010

January 19, 2010The Governor’s proposed

budget, including a $1.4

billion statewide cut to

public schools, is

released.

March 17, 2010The Senate adopts a

resolution including the

Governor’s $1.4 billion cut

to public schools.

March 24, 2010The Assembly adopts its

own resoution, which

includes a slightly smaller

cut of $800 million to

public schools.

April 1, 2010The deadline for the

State to adopt a final

budget.

The devastating school aid cuts supported by the Governor,Senate and Assembly are among the largest in the history ofNew York State. These cuts will mean larger class sizes, a lossof 15,000 teaching positions, elimination of quality programs,such as English as a Second Language and after-school. And,property taxes for homeowners will increase.

Citizen Action of New York and the Alliance for Quality

Education support the call for Wall Street to bear its share ofthe state’s fiscal crisis in the form ofa temporary two-year Wall StreetBanker’s Bonus Tax. By taxingbonuses totaling $50,000 or more,the state will generate $3-4 billionthat could be used to lessen theheavy burden placed on ourschoolchildren and homeownersdue to the education cuts.

If we do not ask Wall

Street to help stop the

pending school budget

cuts, our children will be

deprived of the necessary

requirements needed to

succeed and they will fall

further behind. In order to

keep our children

competitive in the 21st

Century job market, we

need the legislature to

prioritize their education.

“

”-Gerald R. Lotierzo

Syracuse Residentwww.aqeny.org www.citizenactionny.org

ON

EDUCATION

Isra Mahammed is a Syracusemother of 3. She works two to three

different nursing jobs at a time to beable to provide for her family and haveenough of a safety net "just in case."

Isra's youngest daughter, Naila, 12, isa child with special needs. So far thingsare going well for Naila who is in anintegrated classroom at DanforthMiddle School. Isra is especially grateful for Naila's teacher.

"When this white suburban woman told me that she would be willing todie for my kid, I just wanted to cry. I know that she meant it. Teachersshould be supported for the sacrifices they make."

Unfortunately with over $1 billion in proposed cuts to education, bothNaila and her teacher are going to be losing, not gaining, support.

For Syracuse, these cuts will result in losing at least 165 staff and teachers.Isra is concerned that Naila's classroom will lose their teaching aide, Ms.Katuba, who allows Naila to be integrated by working with her onmodified reading and other special needs. She allows Naila's teacher tomanage the 20 or so students in the classroom. Without Ms.Katuba, Israthinks Naila would be forced to into a special education class.

"That would change her entire experience - her confidence, her selfesteem, how she sees herself compared to the other children." Isra is veryconcerned.

In addition to cuts in staffing, there are rumors flying about one of thejunior highs closing its doors completely. "These kids will be flooding theexisting schools," says Isra. "What happens to teacher support whensuddenly they are facing less staff and more students? What happens tothe students?"

Isra thinks there are other options, other solutions that involve everyonecoming together and making a shared sacrifice.

"I would rather take a portion of my paycheck and put it towards theschools than see these cuts." Isra can't imagine why everyone wouldn'tfeel this way. "Yes I live in the inner city, but even folks who live in thesuburbs will be impacted. They use this city for work, for cultural events.When you take away the public schools, which for people in the citymeans opportunity for a better life, for hope and self respect, well thenpeople will resort to lawlessness. And that is what this city that we alluse will become."

ISRA MAHAMMED

Public Schools are meant to be the great equalizer byproviding every student the chance to succeed, go onto any college and pursue a meaningful career.

However, when the executive budget threatens to cutstate school aid, it is the neediest school districts thatare hurt the most because those districts are unable tolevy enough local taxes to make up the districtbudget. The result is a separate and unequaleducation system where many communities of colorsee their classrooms lose teachers and extracurricularactivities, and an increase in class size.

The 2010-11 Executive Budget Proposal threatens theability of students of color to obtain an equaleducation. Some key budget actions are:

Better choices could be made that would promotequality education for all New York’s kids.

• Cut $1.4 billion in school aid

• Freeze increases in “foundation aid” undernew 2007 education funding formula

• Universal pre-kindergarten funding is frozen

• Significant cuts to after-school programs


Join Citizen Action of New York, the Alliance for Quality Education,and others for the release of our new report

Race Matters: Impact of the 2010-11 Budget Proposal

including alternative revenue proposals.

LCA Room 130, LOB • Albany, NYTuesday, March 23rd, 2010 • 10:30 am


Isra Mahammed is an active member of the Alliance for Quality Education

ONHIGHER EDUCATIONI immigrated to theUnited States with my

family in April 2005 fromBeijing, China. I attended apublic high school in NewYork City, where I struggled asan English Language Learner.Like every immigrant, I havemy American Dream too. I dream to receive world-classeducation and become a math teacher. From the time Iwas young, I have been greatly influenced by an oldChinese saying, “Teachers are engineers of humansouls.” Teachers influence whole generations and shapeour future society. Behind all great success stories, thereare always wonderful stories about teachers. Teachersshape, inspire and motivate other people.Currently, I am enrolled in the Teacher AcademyProgram at the City College of the City University of NewYork; while simultaneously pursuing my undergraduatedegree with a major in Pure Mathematics and minors inSecondary Math Education and Physics.But, after continued state budget cuts to higher educationprograms, my scholarship has been reduced by severalhundred dollars. Like most other CUNY students, I amstruggling to support myself through college - I don'thave family to provide me with any financial help for myeducation. I'm worried that I and many of my fellowstudents will not be able to graduate in four yearsbecause of the rising cost of tuition. I am also worriedthat with more cuts and reduced resources, my universitywon't be able to offer the courses that we need tograduate.

JIAN LIU

New York’s greatly diverse population fuels our continuedinnovation and leadership in America. However, the majorityof people of color in New York struggle in their pursuit of theAmerican dream in large part due to the choices madeduring the state budget process.Our State’s public higher education system has traditionallyserved as a means for low and moderate income studentsand students of color to enter the middle class.73.5% of all CUNY and 20.8% of all SUNY enrollees arestudents of color. CUNY and SUNY combined educateabout three-fifths of all New York college students of color.The 2010-11 Executive Budget Proposal threatens the abilityof students of color to obtain and continue their educationalpursuits. Some of the key budget actions are:

Better choices could be made that would promote equality ofopportunity to all New Yorkers.

• Cut state aid to SUNY and CUNY by $312million (academic year basis)

• Allow SUNY and CUNY trustees toindependently raise tuition, and allow fordifferent tuition by campus and major

• Reduce all Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)awards and eliminate TAP for graduatestudents

HOW BUDGET CHOICESAFFECT

Join Citizen Action of New York, the Coalition for Asian AmericanChildren and Families, and others for the release of our new reportRace Matters: Impact of the 2010-11 Budget Proposal

inluding alternative revenue proposals.LCA Room 130, LOB • Albany, NY

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 • 10:30 am


Jian Liu is an active member of the Coalition forAsian American Children and Families


For more information, contact us at [email protected]

Public Policy and Education Fund of New York was founded in 1986 to address critical social,economic, racial and environmental issues facing low and moderate income New York State residents.

THE PROBLEM:The US Census Bureau counts people in prison as residents of the districts in which they areincarcerated, instead of the communities they came from and are most likely to return. NewYork State uses the Census data to draw legislative district lines, inflating the size, and thepower, of some communities at the expense of others.

ONE PERSON, ONE VOTE:This practice is a violation of the New York State Constitution. It says “For the purpose ofvoting, no person shall be deemed to have gained or lost a residence, …while confined in anypublic prison.” A series of Supreme Court decisions in the 1960s determined that legislativedistricts in the United States must have equal population to ensure the democratic principleof ‘one person, one vote.’

IT’S ABOUT RACIAL JUSTICE:In New York, 80% of the people in prison are African American or Latino, and they areincarcerated in districts that are overwhelmingly white. The racial injustice that has plaguedAmerica for centuries continues to exist within New York’s criminal justice system. Prison-based gerrymandering disproportionately punishes families and communities of color, andreminds us of a time when slaves were counted as three-fifths of a person for theapportionment of the members of the United States House of Representatives.

UPSTATE COUNTIES HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM:Thirteen upstate counties have already taken the initiative to correct the Census data,removing the prison population before redistricting to avoid dilution in their districts. EssexCounty said “Persons incarcerated in state and federal correctional institutions live in aseparate environment, do not participate in the life of Essex County and do not affect thesocial and economic character of the towns… The inclusion of these federal and statecorrectional facility inmates unfairly dilutes the votes or voting weight of persons residing inother towns within Essex County…”

New York must end prison-based gerrymanderingto ensure all communities receive fair and equalrepresentation.

End Prison-Based Gerrymandering

did You kNow:More than 100,000100,000 people are convicted

of a felony every year in New York State.

In 2007, a record of 115,573115,573 people were

convicted of felony offenses.

62,30062,300 convited felons are currently

on probation. They can vote.

Each year, 12,10012,100 people are released

from parole. They can vote.

Can I Register to Vote?

NEW YORK STATE518.474.6220

HTTP://WWW.ELECTIONS.STATE.NY.US

NEW YORK CITY888.VOTE.NYC

HTTP://WWW.VOTE.NYC.NY.US

TO REGISTER TO VOTE, CONTACT:

YES, IF:•YOU ARE ON PROBATION

•YOU HAVE COMPLETED YOUR

FELONY SENTENCE

•YOU HAVE BEEN ARRESTED

BEFORE

•YOU ARE AWAITING TRIAL IN JAIL

•YOU ARE ON PAROLE & HAVE A

CERTIFICATE OF RELIEF FROM

DISABILITIES

•YOU HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF A

MISDEMEANOR

•YOU ARE CURRENTLY

INCARCERATED FOR A FELONY

•YOU ARE ON PAROLE & DO NOT

HAVE A CERTIFICATE OF RELIEF

FROM DISABILITIES

NO, IF:

PUBLIC POLICY AND EDUCATION FUND OF NEW YORK

94 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206 (518) 465.4600 - 40 Worth Street, Suite 802, New York, NY 10013 (212) 523.0180

W W W . P P E F N Y . O R G

www.fairelectionsnow.org | [email protected]

Fair Elections Now: Changing the Face of Democracy Our elections have morphed into a nonstop race to see who can collect the most campaign cash. The small slice of our society able to give thousands of dollars in campaign donations gets the access to our elected officials, while the voices of everyday Americans go unheard. The cost of running for office continues to skyrocket, forcing candidates for Congress to spend countless hours dialing for dollars and attending high-priced fundraisers. It doesn’t have to be this way. The Fair Elections Now Act is modeled on successful state programs that have dramatically altered the way elections are run. In these states, people power trumps insider lobbyists and well-heeled interests. Instead of relying on maxed-out bundled checks, candidates qualify to receive a limited public grant and have donations of $100 or less matched on a four-to-one basis The Fair Elections Now Act (H.R. 1826 & S. 752) will get our elected officials out of the special interest money chase and allow them to do what we elected them to do—focus on addressing our nation’s challenges. Voters support the Fair Elections Now Act by a two-to-one margin (62 to 31 percent), according to recent polling. Support crosses party lines and has strong support from Independent voters (63 percent). Americans want change. It’s time to end our pay-to-play political system that puts the interests of Wall Street ahead of Main Street. Under the leadership of Assistant Senate Majority Leader Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) and House Democratic Caucus Chairman John Larson (D-Conn.), support for the bipartisan Fair Elections Now Act continues to grow at a rapid rate. The bill has broad, bipartisan and cross-caucus support, with Republicans, Blue Dogs, New Democrats, and Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucus members all listed as co-sponsors.

How Fair Elections Works The Fair Elections Now Act gives congressional candidates the option to run for office on small donor contributions and limited public funds, rather than relying on wealthy bundlers to fill their campaign coffers. Here’s how it works:

• Candidates would raise a large number of small contributions from their communities to qualify for a Fair Elections grant. Qualifying contributions are limited to $100.

• For example, a candidate for the U.S. House of Representatives would have to collect 1,500 contributions from people in their state and raise a total of $50,000 to qualify. Qualifications for Senate candidates vary and are dependent on the number of a state’s Congressional districts.

• Once qualified, candidates can continue to collect donations of $100 or less that will be matched on a four-to-one basis, up to a limit.

www.fairelectionsnow.org | [email protected]

Nearly 400 Elected Officials Nationwide Several states across the country have elected hundreds of people with a Fair Elections-modeled program. Almost 400 state legislators, judges, and statewide officials in Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Oregon walk the halls of their state capitols, city halls, and judicial chambers without worrying about where their next campaign check will come from. In Connecticut, 82 percent of the state’s General Assembly won with the state’s Citizens’ Election program. Eighty-five percent of the Maine legislature and eight of 10 statewide elected officials in Arizona ran and won using their state’s Clean Elections program.

Diverse Coalition Supports The Fair Elections Now Act

The Fair Elections Now Act has been endorsed by more than 40 national organizations that represent tens of millions of Americans. These organizations include major labor unions, civil rights, environmental, women’s, and advocacy organizations. More than 200 faith leaders, 50 prominent business leaders, and nearly 100 former members of Congress have sent letters, called members of Congress, or signed on in support of the Fair Elections Now Act.

Organization Endorsements 1Sky | 9to5 | AFSCME | Americans for Campaign Reform | Brennan Center For Justice

Campaign for America’s Future | Campus Progress | Center for Lobbying in the Public Interest Change Congress | Chesapeake Climate Action Network

Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington | Common Cause | Consumer Watchdog Corporate Accountability International | Democracy 21 | Democracy Matters | DEMOS

Dolores Huerta Foundation | Friends of the Earth | Greenpeace | Healthcare Now | Hip Hop Caucus League of Conservation Voters | League of Young Voters

Mexican American Legal Defense & Education Fund | MoveOn.org | NAACP National Council of the Churches of Christ in the US | National Organization of Women

National Resources Defense Council | People for an American Way | Progress Now Progressive Future | Public Campaign | Public Citizen | Rock the Vote | SEIU | Sierra Club | U.S. PIRG

USAction | Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations | William C. Velazquez Institute

Get Involved! We need your help to pass the Fair Elections Now Act. A victory in the House and Senate starts with YOU. Please call, write, and email asking your members of Congress to co-sponsor the Fair Elections Now Act. If your member of Congress already supports the bill, thank them! Contact Jonathan Grindell at [email protected] to get involved

mailto:[email protected]

ONJOBSI was born on the East Side of Buffalo,NY, in 1954 and have lived in this

neighborhood for most of my life. I amcurrently unemployed and have beenlooking for work since funding ran out lastyear for the non-profit where I wasemployed.I have been unable to find many jobopenings in the Buffalo area, especially inthe non-profit sector. Social serviceagencies have experienced job losses overthe past several years due to budget cuts at the state, county, and local levels.The East Side of Buffalo has experienced a disproportionate amount ofdisinvestment when compared to other areas of the region. The East Sidehas mostly been neglected and there is little to no financial investment goinginto East Side neighborhoods to address the conditions people are facing.This is directly a result of federal and state policies that encourage sprawl,rewards disinvestment in inner cities, and is part of a historical trend not toinvest in African American neighborhoods.HSBC recently closed a branch in my neighborhood in a commercial sectorthat has the potential to become viable again. The removal of a financialcenter is counterproductive to neighborhood development.HSBC’s decision to close this branch affected many people in the community,including my uncle, who is 88 years old. He had conducted his financialbusiness at that location for the last 40 years. He used to be able to walk todo his own banking, but now someone has to drive him across town to thenearest branch.I am aware that HSBC received millions of dollars in IDA funding to createa call center outside of the city. I think it is hypocritical for HSBC to takepublic subsidies for economic development and close a branch in an areain need of economic development.I remember when the East Side had a vibrant business district with severalbusinesses within walking distance. People could work in the communitieswhere they lived and not have to travel out to the suburbs for work. This isthe kind of economic development we need to create walkable communitiesand healthy neighborhoods, where people have good jobs and can affordto meet their basic needs.I am concerned about how my unemployment will affect my daughter, whois in college, and how my family will continue to pay our mortgage. Withoutchanges to how we do economic development, it will get harder and harderfor people like me to find a good job to support a family and createsustainable communities.

TERRENCE ROBINSON

While New York’s official unemployment rate is continuingto rise and statewide is now near 9%, the “real”unemployment rate is:• 27.2% for Black men• 18.8% for Hispanic Women• 18.1% for Black women• 17.4% for Hispanic men• 14.1% for Asian and other men of color• 11% for Asian and other women of color

New York has prioritized providing more tax breaks andother public subsidies to large scale private enterprises inthe mistaken belief that they will create jobs in low incomecommunities.This choice has cost the state millions of dollars that couldbe spent on job training programs and community-basedsolutions. This year’s bugdet proposal:

Better choices could be made that would bring newjobs and new opportunities for financial success to allNew Yorkers.

• Cuts subsidized job programs by morethan two-thirds, from $70 million to$20 million


Join Citizen Action of New York, the Coalition for Economic Justice,and others for the release of our new reportRace Matters: Impact of the 2010-11 Budget Proposal

including alternative revenue proposals.LCA Room 130, LOB • Albany, NY

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010 • 10:30 am


Terrence Robinson is part of the Coalition for Economic Justice

Citizen Action To EndorseSchneiderman For AG

Tuesday, May 11,2010

Progressive stalwarts Citizen Action will endorse State Sen. Eric Schneidermanfor attorney general Tuesday.The endorsement comes at a critical point in the campaign season, according toKaren Scharff, the group’s executive director.“We looked at the field and we looked at the track record and history of thedifferent candidates. Looking at that, we knew we wanted to endorse Eric,” saidScharff, citing work with Schneiderman on access to health care, environmentaljustice and consumer protection.” We have worked closely with him and we feelconfidant he will be a champion of our issues.”Scharff said that due to the organization’s long-standing ties withSchneiderman, they scrapped their usual candidate-screening panel, with thegroup’s 20-member board simply casting a unanimous vote for Schneiderman.Citizen Action has 20,000 active members around the state, and sendsvolunteers to work on endorsed campaigns. They are also a key voting bloc inthe Working Families Organization, the affiliated non-profit which drives theendorsement decisions of the Working Families Party. Schneiderman is seekingthe WFP support.Scharff said that Citizen Action will be helpful in the primary because of itsability to coordinate with the campaigns of endorsed candidates on how to drivevotes going into election day.Schneiderman said that the endorsement of Citizen Action—along with thenods from 32BJ and 1199—have branded him as the “progressive Democrat” inthe five-person field as the campaign closes in on the Democratic convention atthe end of the month.“I’m a lifelong Democrat,” he said. “And what is clear from my record and myactions is that I’m a progressive Democrat.”

By David Freedlander

Name:

Home Address:

E-Mail:

Registration Options*

� $150 Convention Registration Only - No Hotel Room

� $250 Convention Registration & Double Occupancy Room� I will share a room with: _________________________� I have no roommate preference.

� $350 Convention Registration & Single Occupency Hotel Room

Payment Details:

� Please charge my credit card in the amount of (circle one):$150 $250 $350

CC# Exp:

� *Check enclosed in the amount of (circle one):$150 $250 $350

Transportation:

Please let us know how you will be traveling to the convention.

� Flying:

� Driving:

� WFP Van: I would like a ride from NYC in a WFP van on Friday, June 4th.

Working Families * attn: Aliza Cord * 2 Nevins Street, 3rd Fl * Brooklyn, NY 11217

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY CONVENTION

Saturday, June 5th at 10:00am - Sunday, June 6th at 12:00pm

Adams Mark Hotel * 120 Church Street * Buffalo, NY

We have set-up a discount code with JetBlue. Use code "WFP2010" to get 5% off of their lowest fare for your flight.

Cell Phone: Home Phone:

There is no additional cost for this option, but we must know by

May 28th if you will need a ride.

*These costs are for events, speakers, and meals during the convention. Hotel room options include

Friday & Saturday night stays. PLEASE NOTE: Elected members of the WFP state committee do not

need to pay to attend the meeting if they do not wish to stay at the hotel or join us for any meals. For

questions, contact Aliza Cord 718-222-3796 ext 249.

(There is a JetBlue flight from NYC arriving in Buffalo at 9:00am on

June 5th.)

Work Phone:

Please return this form to Aliza Cord no later than May 15th.

E-Mail [email protected] OR Fax (718)246-3718

*If mailing check, please return the completed form via fax or e-mail immediately, and mail check to:

I will drive or take a bus on my own.

FROM MOMENTUM TO A MOVEMENTBUILDING ON HEALTH CARE FOR A BETTER AMERICA


In 2005, The Alliance for Quality Education was 6 years old. Led by Citizen Action of New York, the grouphad been fighting hard to get New York State to prioritize its failing schools and put money into theschools that needed it most by simplifying its funding formula so that classrooms actually wereconducive to learning, which meant:

• small class sizes • up to date equipment and materials • qualified supported teachers in everyclass room • full day pre-kindergarten for every student • extracurricular activities for all students

Spending 2005 organizing parents and students to speak to legislators, write letters to the editor, holdtown hall meetings and bring hundreds of people across the state to Albany, leaders began lookingahead to the 2006 Gubernatorial Election. This year Eliot Spitzer was running for Governor as aprogressive Democrat who favored education. The question was: what exactly did that mean and wherewould it get AQE?

With pre-made and handwritten signs, parents and students went everywhere Spitzer was, “bird-dogging”him with signs that said “Spitzer for Education,” including a debate at Hofstra University on Long Islandbetween Spitzer and his Democratic Opponent Tom Suozzi. With a flank of education activists holdingsigns, Spizter had no choice but to say at the debate that he would fund CFE. Newsday picked up thequote.

Citizen Action and AQE leaders then collected all the quotes about CFE and put them into a brochure withthe heading: “Eliot Spitzer Will Deliver.” Staying positive, the Executive Director of AQE, Billy Easton,began writing op-eds in newspapers across the state about how Spitzer was education’s hero. In themeantime, Citizen Action registered 4,000 new “education” voters in Syracuse, one of the hottest StateSenate elections and a place where Eliot Spitzer was putting a lot of money and attention.

After Spitzer won the election in a landslide, we created a plan around the 2006/07 legislative cycle. Sothat on Governor Spitzer’s well publicized “Day One,” we were ready.

While every other group was waiting to see what Eliot Spitizer was going to do, we held a pressconference with balloons and posters that each showed a different student’s face, saying “Day OneBegins with Me” and then embarked on our “100 Days of Educational Excellence” campaign.

When Newsday asked Spitzer’s press person if Spitzer would fulfill his promise to fund CFE, his pressperson fumbled and replied, “well that was during the campaign, this is now... we’re not sure.”

We ran with it and Spitzer had no choice but to promise to fully fund CFE or go back on his word to all theparents and students and the 4,000 newly registered voters who had made him their EducationChampion. He held a press conference with us later that winter around his $5.5 Billion CFE proposal andhis Contract for Excellence plan to hold districts accountable to how they would spend the new money.

Education and the 2006 Gubernatorial Election

HOLDCANDIDATESACCOUNTABLE,EXPANDLEADERSHIPANDBASE

ORGANIZEISSUECAMPAIGNS, W

INPOLICYCHANGE

MODEL FORCHANGE

ENGAGELEADERSANDBASEINELECTIONS

•Talk to voters and potential voters about how candidates runningfor office makes decisions about policies related to issuecampaigns•Make issues part of the public debate during election season•Get candidate commitments•Get progressive candidates elected who will champion issuesand policies

2004: Volunteer 2004 mobilized over 1,000 volunteersstatewide on presidential election

2005: Won Campaign to Save Social Security2006: Registered 4,000 voters in Syracuse and “bird-

dogged” Eliot Spitzer on funding CFE and campaignfinance reform, used our endorsements to getcommitments on both

2007: Won historic fair funding formula and $7 billion toeducation

2008: Registered 17,000 voters, increased voter turnout,won Democratic control of State Senate

2009: Passed Fair Share Tax Reform raising taxes onmillionaires in order to pay for schools, health careand other basic services

2010: Maintain Democrat’s Majority in State Senate2011: ?2012: Win Progressive Caucus in Legislature?2013: ?



OVERVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

WHAT WE DO BEST

• Lead winning issue campaigns• Engage people in politics at all levels• Build power from issues to elections with a focus on mobilizing base

voters• Change worldview & the public debate

HOW WE STRENGTHEN OVER THE NEXT DECADE

• Invest in our chapters and affiliates (LIPC & Metro Justice)• Strengthen long term strategic alliances with partners• Add more work on local issues• Build to win bigger game-changing campaigns• Project CANY’s unique contribution to our members and in our

campaigns



OVERVIEW OF STRATEGIC PLANNING

PROJECTS THAT MOVE US TO THIS VISION

LEADING WINNING ISSUE CAMPAIGNS

• Strengthen our chapters.• Coordinate with other organizations and networks who have membership or

resources in regions where we don’t have a base.

ENGAGE PEOPLE IN POLITICS AT ALL LEVELS

• Create local angles to statewide or federal campaigns, i.e., AQE and localplatforms, health care and funding for local clinics or school-related health careissues.

• Present who we are in a way that makes the organization more accessible to anexpanding number of New Yorkers.

BUILD POWER FROM ISSUES TO ELECTIONS WITH A FOCUS ON MOBILIZING BASE

VOTERS

• Build a network of organizations to coordinate civic engagement work, includingbuilding a shared voter file, also at the local level.

• Recruit and run our own slate in a particular legislative body. (This will need to bea multi-year strategy to be successful.) Focus first on our members for the slate.

CHANGE WORLDVIEW & THE PUBLIC DEBATE

• Craft simple message on overall worldview (including racial justice) that unites ourwork. Our message evokes an emotional response that is powerful andcompelling.

• Create simple messages on our issue campaigns on key issues – jobs & taxes,health care, education.

Documents

2010 Leadership Conference Binder Docs