We Won’t Quit

Shortly after the President’s First State of the Union Address, NYSYD received the following email from the President on behalf of OFA….

Matthew –

I just finished delivering my first State of the Union, and I wanted to send you a quick note.

We face big and difficult challenges. Change on the scale we seek does not come easily. But I will never accept second place for the United States of America.

That is why I called for a robust jobs bill without delay. It’s why I proposed a small businesses tax credit, new investments in infrastructure, and pushed for climate legislation to create a clean energy economy.

It’s why we’re taking on big banks, reforming Wall Street, revitalizing our education system, increasing transparency — and finishing the job on health insurance reform.

It’s why I need your help — because I am determined to fight to defend the middle class, and special interest lobbyists will go all out to fight us.

Help me show that the American people are ready to join this fight for the middle class — add your name to a letter to Congress today:

http://my.barackobama.com/SOTU

We have finished a difficult year. We have come through a difficult decade. But we don’t quit. I don’t quit.

Let’s seize this moment — to start anew, to carry the dream forward, and to strengthen our union once more.

President Barack Obama

200 Million Dollars To Help During Rough Financial Times

By NYSYD Communications Director Jenni Royer

In this difficult financial time that has New York State government gripped in disagreement and disarray, there are few paths that lead out of the darkness.  Yes, there must be reform in many areas – especially in Medicaid which not only burdens the state, but many localities – especially county governments. 

In the face of daunting fiscal challenges – governments usually only have two options: to raise taxes or to make cuts to programs and services.  Neither of these are attractive solutions during a major recession which has everyone feeling the pain.  There is however, a third option…

New York State needs to find new revenue sources.  While the natural gas boom is on hold due to the potential environmental dangers it could cause without expensive oversight – there is a new revenue stream which has been ignored by many elected officials. 

This new revenue stream would not hurt anyone, well it might hurt some feelings of pundits, but nonetheless – it is not dangerous to the environment or to our finances.  It will make families stronger and safer despite the fear-based lies which have been sowed and it will help our state rebound by bringing in 1/6th of what the State Legislature cut in December of 2009. 

What is this new revenue stream which would bring in around 200 million dollars to New York State and its local governments?

Marriage Equality!

Former New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson released a report in 2007 that showed that same sex marriage would bring in new revenue through taxes and fees of around 200 million dollars.  Since the state already recognizes same sex marriages performed in other states by Executive Order of the Governor – the state stands only to gain from allowing same sex marriage.  See the following figure from Former Comptroller Thompson’s report:  

 

For too long have untrue and hate/fear-filled rhetoric have controlled the debate.  It has been shown in other states that allowing homosexuals to marry is not a slippery slope and it will not unravel both society and the law.  It is time to look straight at the logic of the situation.  Laws which do not recognize the relationships between certain members of our society detrimentally affect those citizens both in their need and right to belong within society, their pursuit of happiness and their need to lead healthy lives.  Marriage is the basis whereby families gain legitimacy and safety under the law.  When one is safe – one has the ability to flourish, to grow – to follow the American dream and be all that one can possibly be. 

In this time of fiscal upheaval – we need families to feel safe.  We need them to feel safe enough to invest in new homes, in education for their children, in their ability to provide for their children and the person they love after they die.  In no way does this harm anyone – it can only bring forth benefits which have too long been ignored.  Marriage is a legal basis for fiscal stability.  It can only benefit our communities while it fiscally benefits our state and municipalities.  By allowing the thousands of same sex couples in our state the right to find legitimacy under the law in marriage – by giving our neighbors, our coworkers, our family and friends the rights which should be afforded to all citizens of our great nation – that is the first step towards turning the tide. 

We need to mobilize young adults in this state to spread the knowledge that this is much more than just a civil rights issue; it is also a fiscally responsible move for the state.  We need to make sure that every elected official knows that financial stability is the basis of marriage and now, more than ever, we need every constituent in our state to feel financially stable.  Through allowing all people the right to marry, regardless of their sexual preference, we create a foundation to let all families in our state grow and flourish.  Together we can stand…or divided we can fall. 

So with a $7 billion dollar budget deficit forecasted for next year, we need to find creative ways to raise money for our great state. Our plan will bring in at least $200 million dollars in new revenue. In these times of financial uncertainty how can we afford to pass up on this idea?

Link To Frmr NYC Comptroller Bill Thompson’s Report: http://www.comptroller.nyc.gov/bureaus/bud/07reports/Jun07LoveCountBudgetnotes.pdf

Young Dem’s Act Out Against Hate

 

To Purchase Tickets Please Visit: http://www.actblue.com/page/actout

The New York State Young Democrats would like to thank the following individuals for their support of Young Dems Act Out Against.

Host Committee

Producer
Former Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi
Dave Pollak

 

 Director
Zac Townsend

 

Ensemble
New York State Senate Tom Duane
Assembly Member Micah Kellner
Matthew Morningstar & Alan Van Capelle
Sean Patrick Maloney

DNC Woman & Clarkstown Town Council Member Stephanie Hausner
Matthew Silverstein
Costa Constantinides
Al Benninghoff
Michael Corbett
Jeremiah Frei-Pearson
Sam Hudis
Benjamin Kallos
Ricki Lieberman
Kate O’Hagen
Ian Rivera
Krisana Silverstein
Yetta G. Kurland

Honorable Mention

Michael Gilberg

Chris Ryan

Amanda Pizzuti

Ciara Pressler

Tajian Jones

New York City Anti-Violence Project

 Nassau County Police Department

Broadwayworld.com Features Young Dem’s Act Out Against Hate

 

Arnette, Mello, Johnston Set for Stage Reading of STOP KISS, 1/16

Original Link: http://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Arnette_Mello_Johnston_Set_for_Stage_Reading_of_STOP_KISS_116_20091226

Diana Son‘s play ‘Stop Kiss’ will receive a one-night only stage reading on January 16.  The reading will be performed by Crystal Arnette as Sara, Jennifer Mello as Callie, Jared Johnston as Peter, Jeremy Seglem as George, Mary Leggio as Mrs. Winsley/Nurse and Bernard Burlew as Detective Cole. Directing will be Brian Letchworth; Sarah Jane Arnegger will produce the event.

According to press notes, ‘Stop Kiss’, according to press notes, “is about loving and the consequences of loving – both wonderful and terrifying, both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Through humor and ordinary interactions, important questions are asked: When do we risk our personal safety for the sake of speaking our truth? What happens when our hearts are open to another person? Taking risks, both personal and emotional, is at the core of Diana Son‘s deceptively simple play. Stop… or go forward? Kiss… or keep walking? Speak up… or stay silent?”

‘Stop Kiss’ was produced Off-Broadway in 1998 at The Public Theater in New York City, and starred Sandra Oh and Jessica Hecht.

‘Stop Kiss’ will be held at Hunter College for one-night only on January 16. The reading commences at 8PM.

Tickets are $25 and can be purchased by clicking here. The Ida K. Lang RecitAl Hall at Hunter College is located at 695 Park Avenue.

 

 

 

 

 

Young Dems Act Out Against Hate Featured On Playbill.com

Arnette and Mello to Lead Staged Reading of Stop Kiss

Original Story: http://www.playbill.com/news/article/135501-Arnette-and-Mello-to-Lead-Staged-Reading-of-Stop-Kiss-

By Adam Hetrick
25 Dec 2009

Diana Son’s 1998 play Stop Kiss, about two women who are attacked on the streets of New York, will receive a one-night-only staged reading in Manhattan Jan. 16, 2010.

Brian Letchworth will direct the 8 PM reading that is hosted by The New York State Young Democrats. Stop Kiss is the inaugural presentation from Young Dems Act Out Against Hate. Sarah Jane Arnegger produces the event that will take place at Hunter College.

The cast will feature Crystal Arnette as Sara, Jennifer Mello as Callie, Jared Johnston as Peter, Jeremy Seglem as George, Mary Leggio as Mrs. Winsley/Nurse and Bernard Burlew as Detective Cole.

Stop Kiss, according to press notes, “is about loving and the consequences of loving — both wonderful and terrifying, both heartwarming and heartbreaking. Through humor and ordinary interactions, important questions are asked: When do we risk our personal safety for the sake of speaking our truth? What happens when our hearts are open to another person? Taking risks, both personal and emotional, is at the core of Diana Son’s deceptively simple play. Stop… or go forward? Kiss… or keep walking? Speak up… or stay silent?”

Stop Kiss premiered Off-Broadway at the Public Theater. The original cast included Jessica Hecht and Sandra Oh.

For tickets, priced $25, visit ActBlue. The Ida K. Lang Recital Hall at Hunter College is located at 695 Park Avenue.

Merry Christmas!

The New York State Young Democrats Would Like To Wish All Of Our Members, Friends and Supporters A Merry Christmas!

U.S. Senator Schumer On Health Care Reform Passage

Message From U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer On Health Care Reform Passage:
I hope I’m not bothering you by sending this message so close to the holidays, but I wanted to let you know the news right away: The Senate finally passed a health care reform bill this morning.

The bill is based on the agreement we reached last weekend, and the next step will be to combine it with the version the House passed so both chambers can vote on a final version.

As I’ve said, this bill is not perfect. A strong, level-playing-field public option would have done more to help keep costs down. But we’re going to stop the worst of the premium increases, impose tough new rules on the insurance companies, and extend coverage to millions.

That’s a pretty big achievement any way you look at it.

So thank you for your support this year. I’ll be in touch soon with more.

Happy holidays,

Chuck Schumer

State Senators Shirley Huntley & George Onorato On Marriage Equality

The New York State Young Democrats will continue to fight for Marriage Equality in New York State. As part of our ongoing campaign we will be providing our members with the opinions of our elected officials on this issue.

Today we have the statements from two of the Democratic State Senators who voted against Marriage Equality. We were very disappointed to see that both State Senator Shirley Huntley and State Senator George Onorato were on the wrong side of history, and we will remember this come 2010.

 

Statement From State Senator Shirley Huntley :

“I firmly believe that my vote against the Marriage Equality legislation reflects the wishes of the vast majority of my constituents. With that being said, I also firmly believe that any decision on Marriage Equality should, ultimately, be made by the people of New York State, not the Legislature .  I would fully support a referendum to allow the people of New York State to decide the issue”.

Statement From State Senator George Onorato:

“I deeply respect the views of the gay and lesbian community on same-sex marriage, although they are not my own, and I have appreciated the candid and most universally respectful dialogue we have had on this issue. Over the years, I have voted in favor of the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act (SONDA), the hate crimes law, and other legislation of importance to the LGBT community, and I continue to support the Dignity for All Students Act and the Gender Identification Non Discrimination Act (GENDA). But on same-sex marriage, we must continue to agree to disagree”.

Assembly Member Jonathan Bing On Marriage Equality

A Personal Statement on Marriage Equality

Like many New Yorkers, I was extremely disappointed with the defeat of marriage equality legislation in the State Senate on November 25. I have supported this legislation (A. 7732) as an important step in treating New Yorkers fairly, regardless of sexual orientation, when it comes to marriage.

In one my first acts as a newly-elected member of the Assembly in 2003, I signed on as one of the ten original co-sponsors of first marriage equality bill ever introduced. Since then, the Assembly has passed and I have co-sponsored and voted for this legislation three times; the measure first passed in 2007 and then twice this year. In 2007, I hosted a forum on same-sex marriage with a panel that included the Senate sponsor of the bill, Tom Duane, and representatives from the Empire State Pride Agenda and Lambda Legal Defense. I also co-sponsored the law (Ch. 768 of 2005) that gave domestic partners the same rights as spouses in the disposition of a loved one’s remains.

As the United States Supreme Court has held, the freedom to marry is “one of the vital personal rights essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free people,” This bill would finally allow the countless couples and families wishing to express this basic right the opportunity to share such an important bond. Although the New York State Domestic Relations Law contains no specific prohibition against — or allowance for — marriages between individuals of the same sex, the New York State Court of Appeals has held that New York law does not allow for same-sex marriages. The bar against same-sex marriages exists regardless of how long the individuals have lived together or whether they are raising children through legally recognized joint-custody arrangements.

This bill would remove the barriers in New York law that deprive individuals of the equal right to marry the person of their choice. For too long, the same-sex couples who want to be married have lacked basic legal protections taken for granted by married couples. In many areas, including property ownership, inheritance, health care, hospital visitation, taxation, insurance coverage, child custody and pension benefits, married couples receive important safeguards against the loss or injury of a spouse and assurances their marital privacy will be respected.

What’s next in the battle for marriage equality? I will work with the sponsor of the bill in the Assembly, Danny O’Donnell, to ensure that the Assembly passes marriage equality legislation again in 2010 to keep the issue moving forward. I will support State Senators who did the right thing and cast their votes in the affirmative even though a negative vote might have been easier for them. Finally, I will consider supporting challengers to incumbents who stand in the way of progress on this issue. The right to marry is a civil right that all deserve, and now is the time to stand up for the issues we believe in.

In the wake of last week’s defeat of marriage equality legislation in the Senate, I take small comfort in knowing that when my two-and-a-half year old daughter is a teenager, marriage equality will be the law of the land. I believe that she and her generation will grow up in a world where people are respected regardless of their sexual orientation. She will wonder why there was such an effort to stop this from moving forward, in the same way that my generation cannot comprehend how people tried through the law to prevent marriages between those of different races. Achieving marriage equality is not a question of “if” but of “when,” and we must work to ensure that the “when” is sooner rather than later.