RALLY FOR NEW YORK MAKES HISTORY

Over 70,000 New Yorkers from neighborhoods across the city rallied at City Hall on March 5 to push for fair fiscal alternatives to the devastating budget cuts being considered in Albany and New York City. In a show of solidarity, the broad coalition of labor unions, community groups and families held a “Rally for New York” to protest the proposed state and city budget cuts to public services, education, health care and other programs that would have a devastating impact on the children, families and economy of New York.

The group is calling for “Fair Share Tax Reform” in the state’s personal income tax structure to create a more equitable share from the state's wealthiest taxpayers. The coalition is also advocating for the governor and the legislature to take steps that will ensure the federal stimulus funding is spent efficiently and effectively.

Coordinated with simultaneous community rallies taking place in Albany, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, White Plains and Binghamton, labor leaders, community activists and parents urged Governor Paterson, the Senate and the Assembly to do their part to prevent devastating cuts to schools, hospitals and other services.

To help prevent these cuts, the coalition is pushing for tax reform by increasing the income tax on high-income New Yorkers earning $250,000 and more, which would generate an estimated $6 billion annually.

The diverse group of community groups, advocates, non-profit organizations and labor unions includes the One New York Coalition (representing over 200 local agencies and non-profit organizations), 1199 SEIU, 32BJ, ACORN, AFSCME District Council 37, AFT Local 2 United Federation of Teachers, the Alliance for Quality Education, Citizen Action, the Citizens’ Committee for Children, the Communication Workers of America, the Hispanic Federation, the NAACP, the New York City Central Labor Council, New York Immigration Coalition, the New York State AFL-CIO, the New York State United Teachers, United Neighborhood Houses and the Working Families Party. The next step is to contact our politicians and encourage them to support Fair Share Reform. In a critical time like this, we all must pay our fair share. Send a message to your politician by visiting www.fairsharereform.org. (See this month’s edition of the New York Teacher for this and other reports.) Here is my e-mail to UFT/AFT President Randi Weingarten:

Hi Randi, 
 
First off let me say how inspiring and exciting the rally on March 5 was. For several hours over 70,000 unionists from most of the city's unions came together to rally for a better New York- one that secures our future and the future of our children and parents. 
 
What was disappointing, however, is the lack of print media coverage. Across the board, my members expressed disgust and dismay at the fact that the city's big three papers had absolutely no coverage on one of the BIGGEST and history-making events in this city. They want to know why! Does the mayor have that much influence over print media? 
 
Anyway, thank you for all you do and I look forward to hearing from you. 
 
At Your Service, 
Roderick Palton 
PS231K Chapter Leader