NEW YORK NURSE
3
october 2018
Letitia James for Attorney General
T
here are a litany of firsts in the political life of Letitia “Tish” James (D). In 2014, she shattered the glass ceiling for AfricanAmerican women in New York City and became the first black woman elected to citywide office, as well as the first African-American — man or woman — to serve as New York City’s Public Advocate. Her successful bid to run for New York State Attorney General on the Democratic ticket this year garnered James another first in New York politics: she is the first black woman to be nominated for statewide office by a major political party. There is no denying the significance of these breakthrough achievements, but when it comes to understanding the extraordinary role James has played in shaping a vision for a better New York, her long and distinguished record speaks for itself. Since her election to the New York City Council 18 years ago, James has fought the good fight — for decent housing and access to quality healthcare, against environmental harm, and against discrimination in its many forms — including wage discrimination. James has been an advocate for paid family leave, invoking an understanding that this law promotes financial stability and sustains careers. She has defended our union and the communities it serves and fought to protect the rights of all working men and women, from Long Island College Hospital (LICH) to the steps of the Supreme Court.
Shoulder to shoulder
Who could forget James standing ground with us in Brooklyn against the LICH closing, a closing that threatened the health and safety of thousands of Brooklyn residents? Who does not remember James taking the lead at Interfaith Medical Center (IMC), working for months to keep open and fully and fairly funded the principal healthcare destination for more than one million Central Brooklyn residents, including many from underserved communities and communities of color? In the Bronx — the poorest congressional district in the
a substandard for-profit dialysis company to take over clinics at New York City’s public hospitals, keeping jobs and quality dialysis care intact at those facilities. Stand with unions
NYC Public Advocate Letitia James
nation — her staunch efforts to keep North Central Bronx as a viable facility for maternal care helped ensure that quality Labor & Delivery and other maternal health services, remain readily available today for women in that underserved community. We recall vividly the difference James made by refusing to allow
In recent months, James has been vocal and unequivocal in her support for unions, calling for a forum of labor leaders to discuss the ramifications of the Janus v. AFSCME case. Who could miss her at the rally against the Supreme Court’s Janus decision? James is a brilliant lawyer and a defender of working people. She has used the judicial system with mastery in her role as New York City Public Advocate to protect our most vulnerable residents. Her consistent track record, and her years of legal experience as a public defender and as an Assistant Attorney General, make her imminently qualified to serve as our next Attorney General. Tish James for NYS Attorney General!
Thomas DiNapoli for Comptroller
A
s New York State Comptroller Thomas “Tom” DiNapoli (D) acts as our state’s chief fiscal officer. With a reputation for transparency, independence and integrity, his vigilant oversight guarantees a gold standard of attention to a range of key financial issues. As comptroller, DiNapoli manages the state’s more than $200 billion dollar pension fund, including contributions from all public sector employees. That means NYSNA members who work in public hospitals and other staterun healthcare facilities. DiNapoli audits the spending practices of the New York State Department of Labor and the New York State Department of Health in addition to all other state agencies and local governments. He reviews New York State and City budgets and approves all state contracts. He is responsible for the financial health of our public healthcare system and for fiscal oversight of New York State Medicaid spending and other healthcare programs. He approves all state contracts.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli For access to healthcare
On September 5, 2018, DiNapoli came out swinging in support of access to healthcare. He released the report “7 Million and Counting: More New Yorkers Benefit from State Health Coverage,” detailing the rapidly rising number of New Yorkers who depend on Medicaid and other major state programs for healthcare — a number that grew by a very substantial 57 percent over the last 10 years and accounts for one-third of all New York residents. “There are disturbing calls in Continued on page 4
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul for Lieutenant Governor
A
Democrat from Buffalo, Kathleen “Kathy” Courtney Hochul is a versatile and skilled legislator. She is the fourth woman to serve as lieutenant governor of New York State and acts at the governor’s behest as chair of the Regional Economic Development Councils, chair of the Women’s Suffrage Commission, and chair of the Task Force on Heroin and Opioid Abuse and Addiction. She spearheads the Enough is Enough campaign — Governor Andrew Cuomo’s signature sexual assault program — and is committed to passing the strictest laws against sexual harassment in the nation. As lieutenant governor, Hochul travels the state advancing the governor’s agenda, including the successful fight for a $15 minimum wage and Paid Family Leave. In 2011, Hochul ran for U.S. representative in the special election for Erie and Niagara counties and won. Hochul opposed the plan to transform Medicare into a voucher system. Hochul, whose congressional term ended in 2013, supports the Affordable Care Act, a woman’s right to choose, and the rights of the LGBTQ community. Her father was a proud union member. Now running for her second term as lieutenant governor, Hochul is the Democratic Party, the Independence Party, and the Women’s Equality Party candidate. NYSNA endorses Kathy Hochul for lieutenant governor.