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Guest Speakers for NY Advocacy Day Announced

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Published on April 18, 2013, by in Advocacy Day, Legislature, RJV.

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Register for Advocacy Day here!

Stand up for Reform Jewish values and discover the intersection of public policy, New York State politics and the Reform Jewish Movement at Reform Jewish Voice of New York State’s annual Advocacy Day!

On Monday, May 6th, join us in Albany to hear from our guest speakers, state Senators Neil Breslin and Andrea Stewart-Cousins and meet with your state legislators about campaign finance reform and the Women’s Equality Agenda, with a particular focus on reproductive health and pay equality.

For all the latest information about Advocacy Day, head over to our Advocacy Day 2013 website and encourage your friends, family and fellow congregants to attend as well!

Download a flyer here and spread the word at synagogue; make an announcement at Friday night services, include information in your weekly emails and temple bulletin and reach out to those you think might be interested.

We will prepare you with all the tools you need to become an effective advocate—from prep calls and memos on the issues to lobbying tips, we have everything you need to become an advocate for the Reform Jewish Movement in New York State.

So join us on Monday, May 6th at the State Capitol in Albany to take part in our Movement’s storied tradition of advocacy that stretches from Moses “lobbying” God to students at the RAC’s L’Taken Social Justice Seminar lobbying their elected officials on gun violence prevention measures, reproductive rights and the environment, among others.

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Calling All New Yorkers!

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Published on March 18, 2013, by in Advocacy Day, RJV.

NY Empire State logoThis year, we are heading to Albany on Monday, May 6th and we hope you will meet us there! Advocacy Day is a unique opportunity to discover the convergence of public policy, New York State politics and the Reform Jewish Movement. In the coming weeks, we will be announcing the issues we will focus on this year. In the past, we have spoken out on protecting reproductive rights, raising the minimum wage, marriage equality and campaign finance reform.

We will prepare you with the tools to turn yourself into an effective advocate—from prep calls and memos on the issues to lobbying tips, we have everything you need to become an advocate for the Reform Jewish movement in New York State.

So join us on Monday, May 6th at the State Capitol in Albany to take part in our Movement’s storied tradition of advocacy. Register for Advocacy Day here!

 

NY Governor’s Budget Hits and Misses

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Published on January 30, 2013, by in RJV.

Earlier this month, Governor Cuomo’s State of the State address focused on a myriad of issues, many of which show up again in his budget proposal. There is a 4.4% increase in education spending, $1 billion over five years for affordable housing projects, $21 billion in state funds for disaster relief, recovery and mitigation and a provision to raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.75 effective July 1, 2013.

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The minimum wage provision is the center of many conversations in Albany. Should this provision remain intact when the state legislature passes the budget, it would mean a $1.50 increase per hour for nearly one million minimum wage workers in the Empire State. This item could gain some Republican support, but Democrats are not pleased that it does not include a provision to index the minimum wage for inflation.

Education funding is also set to increase should the Governor get his way. The current proposal calls for $889 million to be added to the state’s $20.8 billion education budget for competitive grants, assistance for poorer districts to provide extended school days and full-day kindergarten, and one time aid to struggling districts.

Expanding affordable housing for New Yorkers was among the issues Governor Cuomo discussed earlier this month in his State of the State. According to the proposal, there are 2.9 million households in New York that spend more than 30% of their annual income on housing costs. The House NY program included in the budget proposal would allocate $1 billion over five years to maintain and construct 14, 300 affordable housing units around the state.

An additional $36 million will be utilized to implement the NY SAFE Act, the new gun violence prevention law.

Looking at 89-page summary document, it is important to discuss what the Governor did not include in his proposal. First, there is no mention of hydrofracking in his budget; while pro-fracking advocates see the delay in legalizing the controversial drilling practice as a loss in state revenue, anti-fracking groups are congratulating the Governor. Most likely, it is not included because the state’s environmental review of the practice remained unfinished.

And for all the talk of education in this budget proposal, there was no discussion of the DREAM Act in either this proposal or Cuomo’s State of the State. The bill, passed by the Assembly last year and reintroduced this year, would provide tuition aid to undocumented immigrants.

Also missing from the proposal is any mention of campaign finance reform and the Reproductive Health Act, key issues for the Governor and Reform Jewish Voice.

It’s now up to the legislature to balance and pass an on-time budget. Should they pass it by March 31, 2013, this will be the third consecutive year in which they have done so.

While funding state programs and balancing the budget are necessary actions each year, perhaps the most intriguing and exciting provision in this proposal is the minimum wage increase. Reform Jewish Voice of New York State has worked on this issue for many years now and in response for Governor Cuomo’s proposal signed a statement put together by theLabor-Religion Coalition of New York State emphasizing the importance of this issue.

If you live in NY, encourage your state legislators to take action on the minimum wage,campaign finance reform and reproductive rights.

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Cuomo Takes His Turn

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Published on January 9, 2013, by in RJV.

Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York indulged in the annual right of passage afforded a state executive and delivered his “State of the State” address this afternoon to a crowd of legislators, journalists and politicos in Albany. Just last month he wrote an op-ed for the Times Union outlining his “litmus test” of ten issues the legislature should tackle this year, ranging from education reform and protecting a woman’s right to choose to raising the state minimum wage and campaign finance reform.cuomo-podium

These issues have been topics of discussion for the past year in Albany, but ultimately glimmers of progress became few and far in between as the election in November loomed and legislators became increasingly concerned with retaining their seats. But while all of the policy initiatives outlined by the Governor deserve to be accorded time and energy by legislators, the press and advocacy organizations, there is one issue that has skyrocketed to the top of the list.

New York is one of seven states with a state assault weapon ban and it remains one of the strictest in the country. After the shooting at Columbine in 1999, Governor George Pataki pushed gun control reforms through the state legislature, much to the surprise of some of his Republican colleagues. Now, Governor Cuomo is continuing New York’s tradition of protecting its citizens with his plan to reform the state’s gun control policy.

Governor Cuomo’s plan is all-encompassing and it will be intriguing to see what the Assembly and Senate can agree upon and realistically pass. Here are some of the wide-ranging ideas the Governor is proposing:

  • A tougher state assault weapons ban;
  • A more efficient system and a new state standard for firearm licenses rather than the current county by county system;
  • Background checks for all gun sales, including between two private parties;
  • A system for mental health professionals to report those who might pose a risk to themselves or others—and subsequent inquiry into those reported who have been issued a firearm license;
  • Enhanced penalties for the following infractions: the illegal purchase of guns and the use of firearms on school property.

So, today was Governor Cuomo’s chance to tell New York what he wants to accomplish this year. It is now up to New Yorkers to evaluate and dissect the Governor’s legislative priorities and to reach out to their Assembly and Senate members with their thoughts. Reform Jewish Voice of New York State will be doing the same and you can help us take the message of the Reform Movement to Albany!

Join us on Monday, May 6, 2013 for our annual Advocacy Day to learn how to be an advocate in Albany and in your community and meet with your state legislators to tell them why some of the issues Governor Cuomo discussed are important to you and to our Movement.

Governor Cuomo had his turn—now it’s ours.

 

Evaluate By Policy, Not Party

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Published on December 13, 2012, by in Legislature, RJV.

cuomo-podiumWith control of the New York state Senate still unsettled, Governor Cuomo took the time to outline his “litmus test” of issues the legislature should tackle and pointed out opportunities squandered by both the Republican and Democratic Conferences when they were in power. He took to the Times Union last week to discuss how he prefers to form his opinions of individual legislators—specifically, he looks to positions and actions on policy, not party or coalition affiliation. As he pointed out, “I have specific programs and progressive initiatives that I believe must be continued or enacted. I will give or withhold my support based on an individual legislator’s support of those issues.”

The Governor plans to detail his agenda in his upcoming State of the State address in January, but for now let’s take a look at some of his top priorities for the next legislative session that could have bearing on his relationship with the legislature.

  1. Campaign Finance Reform: In last year’s State of the State, Gov. Cuomo detailed a two-pronged approach to reform campaign finance laws. In addition to limiting campaign contributions, he also called for system to publicly fund campaigns. The public funding option would most likely be based on the New York City model, which was recently discussed in a New York Times editorial as a possible “best practice” for the state to consider. Both the Union for Reform Judaism and the Central Conference of American Rabbis have resolutions strongly supporting campaign finance reform, and in February 2012 Reform Jewish Voice of New York State sent a letter to the Governor with over 100 other organizations urging him to stand by his State of the State pledge.
  2. Raising the Minimum Wage: Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has a proposal on the table to raise the state minimum wage from $7.25/hour to $8.50. The Senate blocked this proposal last session, but there is a glimmer of hope depending on who participates in the final coalition. The Reform Jewish Movement has long been a voice of social and economic equality, and this proposal could ensure that justice for one million New Yorkers.
  3. Protecting a Woman’s Right to Choose: Passing the Reproductive Health Act would codify the right to accept or refuse contraception and the right to a late-abortion, if the mother’s doctor determines that her life is in danger. New York was the first state to legalize abortion in 1970 and this legislation would continue New York’s tradition of protecting a women’s right to choose, even if Roe v. Wade was overturned. Protecting a woman’s right to choose is central to the Reform Movement’s work on women’s issues.

When the state legislature returns in January and Gov. Cuomo delivers his policy priorities in his State of the State address, Reform Jewish Voice will continue to be the voice of Reform Jewish social justice across New York State to pursue the issues our tradition emphasizes as vital. We will continue to encourage a collegial and functional relationship between the Governor and the legislature in the hopes that these crucial policies become a reality for New York State.

 

Your Advocacy Month Guide

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Published on October 9, 2012, by in Advocacy Month.

Take advantage of our resource guide, Jewish values text study and religious school programming.

Spend the month of Cheshvan (Oct. 17-Nov. 14) engaging in advocacy work to raise the state minimum wage. From adult education, to student programming and Jewish text sources, be sure to use our Advocacy Month ResourceGuide for all of your congregations’ needs.

This guide gives you the tools to bring Advocacy Month to your congregation! From background information on the minimum wage, to speaker resources and instructions for action, this guide has it all. Use our Jewish text resources to plan sermons and guide your congregations discussions on what our tradition says about a fair, living wage.

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Take Action to Raise the Minimum Wage!

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Published on October 9, 2012, by in Advocacy Month, RJV.

During the month of Cheshvan (October 17-November 14), RJV is asking congregations to dedicate one Shabbat service, one adult education program, or one religious school period to learning what our tradition teaches about fair and living wages. Earlier this year, the New York State legislature began to consider a raise in the state minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour, but the attempt stalled and 1 million New Yorkers earning a living at minimum wage jobs were left to barely scrape by. Take action now to show Gov. Cuomo and the state legislature why an increase in the state minimum wage is imperative today.

 

Thank You Gov. Cuomo!

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Published on October 9, 2012, by in RJV.

Governor Cuomo recently announced that permits for hydrofracturing in New York State will not be approved until a study of the health impacts of the controversial drilling method is completed. RJV supports the moritorum on hydorfracturing across the state until such a study is finished and submitted comments to the NYSDEC last year calling for extensive study of the effects of hydrofracturing on air, water and public health. Thank you Gov. Cuomo for requesting the study!

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The Clock Ran Out

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Published on October 9, 2012, by in Legislature.

Even though the clock ran out on New York’s legislative session (it ended on June 21), there are still numerous important issues that have yet to be brought to a vote. The legislature has left Albany but it is crucial to spotlight three issues that remain unfinished: the Reproductive Health Act, campaign finance reform and an increase in the minimum wage. NY residents: Please join us in urging your state legislators to pass the Reproductive Health Act, campaign finance reform and an increase in the minimum wage.

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Capitol Confidential Drops by Advocacy Day

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Published on October 9, 2012, by in Advocacy Day.

Over 50 Reform Jews from around New York State joined Reform Jewish Voice on Monday to urge lawmakers in Albany to protect a woman’s right to choose, increase the minimum wage and implement campaign finance reform. A highlight of the day was a fiery speech by Sen. Liz Krueger on the importance of RJV’s advocacy and the presentation of letters of recognition for RJV’s 10th Anniversary from Rabbi Rick Jacobs, incoming President of the Union for Reform Judaism, Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center, and Rabbi Marla Feldman, Director of the Women of Reform Judaism. To read more about the day, head over to the Times Union Capitol Confidential blog.