There may not have been a fireplace, but last Thursday ACT NOW was honored to have progressive champion State Senator Liz Krueger (26th District) over for an informal “fireside chat.” As she approaches her 10th anniversary in office, Liz is certainly turning up the heat on in Albany on key progressive issues.
We talked with Sen. Krueger about redistricting reform in New York State, a subject dear to ACT NOW’s heart and on which we have worked tirelessly since last winter. Liz spoke about Senate Republicans’ recently disclosed plan to add a 63rd Senate seat in a transparent attempt to hold on to their decades-long majority in this heavily Democratic state. And she urged progressives to stand firm in calling on Gov. Cuomo to veto partisan district lines drawn by the legislature that do not fairly represent the voters of New York. We also talked about public financing of elections, for which both the Senator and ACT NOW have long been outspoken advocates. Liz’s bottom line on independent redistricting and public financing was simple: New York doesn’t have to choose between fair district lines and fair elections — we can do both.
The Senator also discussed her advocacy for a Senate resolution reaffirming the reproductive health rights of New Yorkers — and how it ended up being sanitized by Senate Republicans to omit any mention of family planning, contraception, or reproductive rights! It’s a stark reminder of the challenges that progressive values face this election year, in which every Republican candidate for president has sworn to overturn Roe v. Wade. We also thanked the Senator for her vigorous opposition to hydrofracking in New York State, a practice that would enrich energy companies by putting our environment at risk of catastrophe.
Finally, Sen. Krueger spoke about her No Bad Apples PAC, a continuing initiative to recruit Good Government Democrats to run for Senate across the state and help them win. And she reminded us that there is much work to be done in 2012 to help elect a progressive State Senate that reflects the values and the priorities of New York.
Albany is filled with SO many awful politicians. And, alas, not just awful Republicans. But Liz Krueger is a true hero and is as good as they come.
It was good to hear how grassroots activism upstate has made it difficult for the governor to approve fracking. A reminder of the importance of speaking up and that we are not alone. Thanks, Liz.
And thanks for the alert that women’s reproductive health is still threatened.