by Martha Robertson for the September edition of the Tompkins Weekly “Democratic View” Are you among the millions of Americans who are outraged by recent decisions of the Supreme Court? It wasn’t that long ago when Republicans railed against “judicial activism. Now they cheer when the Court overturns 50 years of precedent, stealing away people’s autonomy over our own bodies and our very futures. The Court said the freedom of half the population should be “up to the people,” that is, subject to political whims and elections. OK, people, so it’s up to us to roar back our answer. VOTE. Vote Democratic, because you cannot trust Republicans with your human rights. The evidence? Since the Court overturned Roe in June, Republicans have been on a tear to pass the most restrictive, anti-freedom laws they think they can get away with. On the other hand, where GOP candidates now find themselves facing general election voters – not just Republicans in primary races – they are scrubbing their websites and hoping they can fool voters into forgetting their previous pledges against women’s bodily autonomy. Or they’re energetically trying to dodge the question altogether, like the Republican candidate in our own State Senate […]

Written by Richard Greene – author, civics educator and political communication strategist. Contact Richard at Richard@WordsThatShookTheWorld.com and follow him on Twitter @TheCivicsDean and Tik Tok @CivicsDean Cateogry 1: 15 bills passed by Democrats in the House but blocked by Republicans in the Senate The Women’s Health Protection Act: Should women have a right to have an abortion in America? House Democrats: YES 218, NO 1; House Republicans: YES 2, NO 208 The Right to Contraception Act: Should Americans have a legal right to purchase contraception? House Democrats: YES: 220, NO 0; House Republicans: YES 8, NO 195 The Consumer Fuel Price Gouging Prevention Act: Should the oil industry face penalties for price gouging? House Democrats: YES 217, NO 4; House Republicans: YES 0, NO 203 The Assault Weapons Ban: Should military style assault weapons be illegal for sale or purchase? House Democrats: YES 215, NO 5; House Republicans: YES 2, NO 208 The Bipartisan Background Checks Act: Should we expand background checks to cover all gun sales? House Democrats: YES 219, NO 1, House Republicans: YES 8, NO 202 The Paycheck Fairness Act: Should women receive equal pay for equal work in America? House Democrats: YES 216, NO: 0; House Republicans: YES: […]

Tompkins County 2019-2022 Agriculture Supported Farmers with Enhanced Tax Credits (FY’23 Budget, Statewide) Created the Nourish New York program to better connect agricultural producers with food relief organizations such as food banks and pantries (Chap. 631 of 2021) Legalized adult-use cannabis in New York State creating expanded opportunities for New York agriculture (Chap. 92 of 2021) Enabled further growth in the hemp industry by creating a regulatory process for hemp extract and product marketing (Chap. 614 of 2019) Childcare $7 billion investment over four years to fund a comprehensive expansion of childcare programs across New York State (FY’23 Budget, Statewide) Increased the income eligibility threshold for childcare subsidies to 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($83,250 for a family of four), extending eligibility to more than half of young children in New York. $16 million to establish childcare centers on SUNY campuses that do not currently have a childcare center (FY’23 Budget, Statewide Economic Development $2.25 billion for the Regional Economic Development Councils that have funded thousands of projects creating or retaining hundreds of thousands of jobs statewide (FY’20-FY’23 Budgets, Statewide) $1.45 billion investment in broadband infrastructure through the Working to Implement Reliable Equitable Deployment of Broadband (WIRED) Act […]

Ann Sullivan is Chair of the City of Ithaca Third Ward Democratic Committee and a long-time member of the Tompkins County Democratic Committee. Tompkins County does not lack strong women. In 1970, Assemblywoman Connie Cook led the movement to legalize abortion in New York State. Past Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton and Assemblywoman Anna Kelles have proven to be worthy successors to Cook. Shawna Black chairs the Tompkins County Legislature, as has Leslyn McBean-Clairborne, Martha Robertson, and Barbara Mink. In 2003, Ithacans elected Carolyn K. Peterson who served two terms as mayor. Most recently, Laura Lewis, Acting Mayor of Ithaca, has added her name to this illustrious list. Acting Mayor Lewis did not campaign for the position she holds. An alderperson from Ithaca’s Fifth Ward, she joined these ranks when she became Acting Mayor after Svante Myrick’s resignation in January, a temporary appointment that ends after Election Day in November. She now is running to serve the remainder of the term until January 2024. A forty-year resident of Ithaca, Laura established a local reputation as an activist and volunteer, even as she rose through the ranks at Cornell University where she retired as Director of Student Services at NY School of Industrial […]

Dan Lamb is deputy supervisor for the Town of Dryden, a NYS Democratic committee member, and a former congressional aide. The House January 6 committee hearings are exposing the fragility of our democracy, the importance of voting, and the widening gulf between today’s Republican Party and reality. Tompkins County voters have critical choices this August: primary candidates for state senate and Congress, special election candidates for Congress, and the future of democracy. The State Senate and Congressional primary races concern new districts that include Tompkins and counties southeast. Democrats have excellent candidates to choose from: Lea Webb and Leslie Danks Burke for State Senate and Josh Riley and Jamie Cheney for Congress. Due to Representative Tom Reed’s resignation, there is also a special election open to all registered voters for the current 23rd Congressional District. The winner will immediately represent Tompkins and 10 counties to the west. The special election is a chance to elect a candidate who can run in November. Reed’s rush to start a career as a D.C. lobbyist may have done Democrats a favor. While the GOP nominated Reed’s inexperienced former aide, a political insider, Democrats found a strong candidate. Max Della Pia is a thoughtful […]

The Tompkins County Democratic Committee is pleased to announce the opening of its Headquarters at 832 Hanshaw Rd, Ithaca. It will operate Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday 3 – 5 pm during the summer and will have extended hours as we approach the general election on November 8. We hope this will be an opportunity for democrats to engage with each other and support candidates. We will have lawn signs, postcards, and various opportunities to help support our candidates. When you go, park near the street and take the small walk to the door. Click on the picture to locate the office on a map. These last few years have been a rollercoaster of emotions both nationally and locally. This will be the first time we have opened a HQ since our former Chair, Jim Gustafson, passed. While our hearts are still heavy from our loss, we know Jim is proud of the continued work the committee is doing to support Democrats. We all understand what is at stake in these coming elections. Our candidates are ready! “Congratulations to the TCDC on the grand opening its new Headquarters(HQ)! The new HQ reflects the committee’s commitment to informing, motivating, and registering local […]

We are sure you know by now that on August 23rd, we have a Democratic primary in our new congressional district (NY-19) AND ALSO a special election in our old district (NY-23). The election in NY-23 is not a primary, it is an actual election for the person who will represent us until November. This is our last chance to vote in NY-23, ever. Our candidate is Max Della Pia, and if he wins this election he will have a much better chance of winning in November as well. In addition to voting, you can help his campaign. Can you write postcards? Sign up with this form. Would you like to do more? Contact the campaign directly at dellapiaforny23.com.