Friday, June 13, 2014

Update re Gov. Cuomo




Dear New York MoveOn member, 

Recently, we shared survey results with the media showing that 73% of responding MoveOn members in New York State want to see a progressive challenger to Gov. Cuomo. 

Here's an update: In order to win the endorsement of the Working Families Party—and faced with pressure from MoveOn members, law professor Zephyr Teachout, the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, DFA, and other allies across New York—Governor Cuomo agreed to support a set of demands that progressives been making for years. 

Here are some highlights of Gov. Cuomo's commitment to progressives:1 
  • Support for raising the minimum wage to $10.10 and letting localities across New York—including New York City—set their own higher wages up to more than $13/hour
  • Support for the Dream Act 
  • Support for passing the full 10-point Women's Equality Agenda
  • Support for decriminalization of marijuana
  • Support for public financing of elections
  • Commitment to working to elect a Democratic State Senate to turn these proposals into law, and a demand for the so-called Independent Democratic Caucus lawmakers to return to the Democratic Party
As with all political agreements, we can't take anything for granted, and follow-through will depend on two things: 1) Democrats must win the State Senate in November, and 2) there needs to be meaningful accountability to make sure Gov. Cuomo delivers on the agreement.

That's where all of us come in: Together with allies, we're helping form a Cuomo Accountability Team to make sure Gov. Cuomo knows progressives are watching closely and demanding follow-through on the commitments he has made.

Will you sign up for the Cuomo Accountability Team to make sure promises turn into action? Click here to join:


This is a big, substantive policy shift from Gov. Cuomo, and it shows what we can achieve together when we refuse to back down from our values. But progressives across New York will still each have to decide whom to support this fall, and reports indicate that Zephyr Teachout is considering a run in the Democratic Primary.

There's a lot more work to do to move the state of New York in a more progressive direction—including making sure Gov. Cuomo keeps his word. This was a big step for MoveOn members and New Yorkers.

Thanks for all you do.

–Ilya, Milan, Alejandro, Maria, and the rest of the team

Sources:

1. "After bruising floor fight, Cuomo wins W.F.P. nomination," Capital New York, May 31, 2014

2. "Zephyr Teachout, Cuomo irritant, vows to press on," Capital New York, June 2, 2014

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