On May 1st VID and eight other Clubs sponsored a NYS candidates forum for Democrats seeking inclusion on the 2014 Primary Ballot.
Here are the Minutes of the Forum
Ed Yutkowitz, VID Corresponding Secretary organized the event which included:
Keith Wright, Chairman of the New York County Democrats, Assembly Member, and a Co-Chair of the New York State Democratic Party, who will speak on behalf of Governor Andrew Cuomo.
Randy Credico, Candidate for NYS Governor
First Deputy Comptroller of the State of New York, Pete Grannis, representing Comptroller Tom DiNapoli.
Brad Hoylman, New York State Senator for the 27th District.
Deborah Glick, Assembly Member for the 66th district, who will also represent Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.
Dan Squadron, New York State Senator for the 26th District.
Rachel Lavine, 66th AD; Alan Shulkin, 66th AD and John Quinn, 65th AD Candidates for New York State Democratic Committee.
Co-sponsors of the event included Downtown Independent Democrats, Downtown Progressive Democrats, Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, Lower Manhattan Democrats, Village Reform Democratic Club, Greater NYC for Change, Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats, and
Among the prominent topics raised by the Forum attendees were campaign finance reform, the recent legislation regarding development rights through the Hudson River Park Trust , Fracking and the NYS Senate’s Independent Democrat Conference (IDC).
Rachel Lavine, State Democratic Committee member and founder of the NYS Progressive Caucus introduced a resolution by that body detailing the failures of Independent Democratic Conference of the New York State Senate (IDC) in advancing important Democratic legislation and calling upon the IDC to rejoin the Democratic Conference led by Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The topic was immediately picked up by the NY Daily News and by Capital NY
All the candidates agreed that Campaign Finance Reform was a priority with Senator Hoylman speaking out vehemently for its need. Assemblymember Glick offered a detailed chronology of the imperfect Hudson River Park legislation and hopefully mitigating provision for full local ULURP review for future development that remained in the final package.
Senator Dan Squadron added a plea for support of his pending legislation for collaborative funding for NYC Parks between the City and the various Park Conservancies to advance their more equitable care.
Minutes will be posted soon. Here are the pictures,
