ROCKLAND DEMOCRATS ASSAULT DAVID CARLUCCI

Rockland Democrats are attacking Senator David Carlucci for the state Senate Independent Democratic Conference’s unwillingness to push for an abortion plank as part of the “Women’s Equality Act.” The Conference agreed, instead, to split the Women’s Act into 10 separate votes. Most of the GOP and some Democrats have contested the abortion language Governor Cuomo wants adopted would lead to more late-term abortions.

Here is an open letter the Rockland Democratic Party sent to Carlucci today (note– the letter contains subjective claims):

Rockland Democrats Stand with Governor Cuomo, Support WEA The Rockland Democratic Party is proud to stand with Governor Cuomo and more than 850
other organizations in supporting the full ten points of the Women’s Equality Act. The Governor deserves praise for his commitment to all of the issues that New York women care about. Unfortunately, Senator Carlucci and the other three members of the Independent Democratic Conference are only willing to support legislation that is politically expedient for them, and palatable for their Republican allies.

When Senator Carlucci met with the Rockland County Democratic Party’s Executive Committee, he assured us that his decision to abandon the Democratic Conference would serve to further progressive legislation. While we expressed doubts, the committee agreed to wait until the end of this legislative session.
In January, we were disappointed when Senator Carlucci refused to sit with the Democratic Conference and denied the first woman, Senator Andrea Stewart‐Cousins, her rightful place as Senate Majority Leader. Today, we are disheartened and disgusted.

Campaign Finance Reform is likely to die in the Senate. The Minimum Wage increase was passed without indexing. And, now, the Women’s Equality Act will most likely not even come to the floor for a vote because of the obstruction by these self‐described “independent” Democrats.

We previously asked Senator Carlucci to explain what Democrats would have to give up because of the misguided alliance with the Republicans? Now the answer is painfully clear. Last week, the IDC put out a five point Women’s Act focused on jobs and training. They spent a great deal of money touting their plan in offensive ads. Attempting to silence the backlash, they introduced a watered down version of the Governor’s bill in the dead of night. This is unacceptable. The facts do not lie:

• 67% of New Yorkers support bringing our state reproductive health laws into line with the current federal law to protect a women’s life or health.
• By nearly 2 to 1, New Yorkers want the reproductive health provision included in the final bill to promote women’s equality.
• Governor Cuomo has declared his solidarity with the NY Women’s Equality Coalition and its 850 member organizations.
The Wall Street Journal reported that IDC Conference leader, Jeff Klein, said yesterday, “I don’t bring bills to the floor that fail. That’s not what leaders do.” Sen. Klein’s statement is an insult to millions of New York women who demand action. What Sen. Klein refuses to acknowledge is that we expect a leader to be accountable for his failures, rather than make excuses and shift blame.

As Senator Klein and the IDC owe their allegiance, their power, and their large staff and offices to the Republicans, they have paid this debt by selling out New York women. Our message to the IDC is simple: if you are going to run for office as Democrats and expect support from Democrats, you should start acting like Democrats.

Sincerely yours,

Kristen Stavisky, Chairwoman, Rockland Democratic Committee
Michael Hogan, Secretary, Rockland Democratic Committee
Harriet Cornell, Chairwoman, Rockland County Legislature
Alden Wolfe, Vice Chair, Rockland County Legislature
Ilan Schoenberger, County Legislator and Candidate for Rockland County Executive
David Fried, Candidate for Rockland County Executive
Connie Coker CNM, LM, Former County Legislator and Committeewoman
Stephanie Hausner, Councilwoman, Town of Clarkstown
Shirley Lasker, Councilwoman, Town of Clarkstown
Brendel Logan, Councilwoman, Town of Ramapo
Jen Laird White, Mayor, Village of Nyack
Emily Dominguez, Trustee, Village of Haverstraw
Rita Louie, Trustee, Village of Pomona
Eva Nordhauser, Executive Committee Member, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Elizabeth Saetre, Executive Committee Member, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Jordan Turner, Executive Committee Member, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Cliff Weathers, Executive Committee Member, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Nicole Doliner, Chairwoman, Clarkstown Democratic Committee
Rhea Vogel, Associate Chair, Clarkstown Democratic Committee
Suzanne Barclay, Executive Committee Member, Orangetown Democrats
Jeremy Apotheker, Committeeman, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Myrna & Ted Arin, Committee Members, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Joan Cohen, Committeewoman, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Emily Feiner, Committeewoman, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Sande & Gary Lefkowitz, Committee Members, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Stephen Papas, Committeeman, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Elaine Simon, Committeewoman, Rockland County Democratic Committee
Barbara & Joel Blattstein, Community Activists
Ari Kamen, Hudson Valley Region Political Director, Working Families Party
Bob Milone, Chairman, Rockland Working Families Party
Tom Ninan, Hudson Valley Region Board of Directors, Working Families Party
Larry Weissmann, Hudson Valley Region Board of Directors, Working Families Party