Legislative ACTION ALERTS for week of December 3rd

CNY Solidarity members and supporters:
Please find below the weekly ACTION ALERTS from Indivisible NY24 and our legislative action team.

Today (Dec 3)

No more fossil fuel advocates at FERC

From our Climate Justice Committee: The Senate is scheduled to vote TODAY on the confirmation of Bernard McNamee as a member of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Senate Republicans have sped up this vote, which was initially scheduled for much later. In a recently released video, McNamee stated that renewable energy “screws up the whole physics of the grid,” and that fossil fuels are “key to our way of life.” Given that he holds these views, it doesn’t seem possible that he will be fair and impartial in his decisions. We ask that people call Senators Gillibrand (202-224-4451) and Schumer (202-224-6542), and ask them to vote against Mr. McNamee.

Tuesday (Dec 4)

Support the Community Grid

From our State and Local Action Team (SLAT): If everyone can please call their state reps NOW about the community grid. The next two months are crucial for this issue. Please keep up the pressure, especially on those representatives (Assemblywoman Pam Hunter in particular) who have yet to commit to the Community Grid option!

Most of us are represented in the Assembly by one of the following, but if you’re not sure whose district you’re in, click here and enter your address to find out:

Assembly Member Pamela Hunter: 315-449-9536
Assembly Member Al Stirpe: 315-452-1115
Assembly Member William Magnarelli: 315-428-9651
Assembly Member Gary Finch: 315-255-3045

Also, if you need postcards to send out in support of the grid we can get more to you to pass out to friends and family. Pressure from members in the suburbs is key at this time. And check out http://www.communityforthegrid.com

Wednesday (Dec 5)

Support Democracy Reform in NYS

From our friends at Let NY Vote: One of the top priorities for the upcoming state legislative session is democracy reform. Today, please call your Assembly member and indicate your support for automatic voter registration that includes multiple state agencies, not just the DMV; early voting that includes at least two weekends; and small donor matching funds. More details here. Your Assembly member’s phone number appears just above (in Tuesday’s alert). If you have time for a second call, please call Speaker-elect Andrea Stewart-Cousins (518-455-2585) with the same ask.

Thursday (Dec 6)

Meeting with Assembly Member Stirpe

Jonah Minkoff-Zern has set up a meeting with Assembly Member Al Stirpe to talk about election reforms and make sure he sees them as a priority going into the upcoming Assembly retreat (Dec. 12-15). The meeting will be at his office in North Syracuse at 2pm. Contact jonah.zern@gmail.com if you’d like to participate.

Friday (Dec 7)

Help with outreach on climate legislation

Our Climate Justice Committee is planning to hold educational sessions with community groups on the Climate and Community Protection Act and the Climate and Community Investment Act. These sessions will be held to help NY Renews develop a statewide grassroots support network for these bills which provide a blueprint for switching to 100% renewable energy by 2050, and funding to do it in way that is just for all. We ask that CNY Solidarity members help us by letting us know of groups they are familiar with that might be interested in learning about these bills and supporting them. We’re thinking of groups like church groups, labor groups, and any other community groups. If you can think of such a group, please let Kitty know at otiscohills@yahoo.com.

Saturday (Dec 8)

No actions today (until further notice!). Enjoy the time with friends and family.

Sunday (Dec 9)

Moving healthcare, climate and financial activism forward

Featuring a discussion of the next steps in getting universal healthcare, climate change solutions and how to best leverage your financial power. Speakers: Katelyn Kriesel, Jim D’Aloisio, Sunny Aslam. 12-2 pm at First Unitarian Universalist, 109 Waring Rd, Syracuse, NY. All are welcome; there is no charge. Speakers and audience discussion for first hour. Progressive groups are invited to come and table the second hour. Contact Sunny to reserve a free space for tabling. More info: Sunny Aslam, spaslam@yahoo.com, 315 439 8992.

Save the date for these upcoming events

Wed, Dec 12: Community for the Grid Fundraiser. 530-730pm, Munjed’s. More details here.

Fri, Dec 14: SLAT is hosting a workshop on advocating for educational equity funding with leaders from AQE (Alliance for Quality Education – a progressive statewide education advocacy group) on December 14th, 6:30-8:00pm. Location TBD. Check out the CNY Solidarity Facebook page for more info.

Sat, Dec 15: Rally for the Community Grid. 11am, location TBD.

Sun, Dec 16: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting. 3-5pm at Park Central Presbyterian.

Thur, Jan 3: Democracy reform action in Syracuse (part of Indivisible national day of action). Time and location TBD.

Sun, Jan 6: CNY Solidarity Coalition meeting. 3-5pm at Bishop Harrison.

Sat, Jan 19: 3^rd Annual Women’s Marches planned for DC (details here), Seneca Falls (here), and elsewhere. If anyone knows of plans for additional marches in CNY, please pass them along.

Today and every day, be sure to follow us online and on social media.

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