Latest News and Reports

Here's the latest CANY news--if you're looking for something older, visit our archives!

10 September 2008- "Consumers Pay High Price for Health Insurance Industry Campaign Contributions, Says New Report"
Citizen Action calls for public funding of campaigns as the only way to protect consumers from the grip of industry campaign contributors on state policy. Click here to read the full report.

Read about the release of this report in the news:

• 10 September 2008, Utica Observer-Dispatch, Report: Seward gets top insurance money
• 10 September 2008, Utica Observer-Dispatch, Group assails insurance corporations
• 12 September 2008, The Evening Telegram (Herkimer, NY), Citizens group calls for campaign finance reform
• 15 September 2008, Legislative Gazette, Group says donations help kill insurance reform bill
• 15 September 2008, Paid for by...Blog (Public Campaign), Unhealthy Relationship
• 17 September 2008, Democrat & Chronicle (Rochester, NY), Use public funds for New York state campaigns, group urges

21 August 2008- "Assembly’s ‘circuit breaker’ is a better solution" By Ellen Kennedy and Sam Williams
In today's Buffalo News, Citizen Action's Western NY Board President and the co-chair of the Working Families Party in Lockport explain how the property tax circuit breaker will bring real relief to working families in NY.

19 August 2008 - Citizen Action Praises Assembly's Passage of Property Tax Circuit Breaker
In response to the Assembly passing the circuit breaker bill, Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York said, "Earlier today, the Assembly showed true leadership by passing responsible legislation that will lower middle-class New Yorker's taxes while protecting children's rights to a quality education. The property tax circuit breaker is a smart solution that will help our economy, lower taxes, and keep education strong in New York. By passing the circuit breaker, the Assembly has shown its commitment to making New York an affordable place to live and a great place to raise a family. Now the Senate must stop playing games with our kids' education, follow the Assembly's lead, and pass the circuit breaker - the only real solution to New York's property tax crisis that protects quality education."

Click here to read Southern Tier Leader Christine Niskanen's letter to the editor printed in the Press & Sun Bulletin on July 28th, 2008.

Click here to read Southern Tier Leader Wanda Mead Campbell's letter to the editor printed in the Little Falls The Evening Times on July 26th, 2008.

30 July 2008 - Citizen Action Says Governor Paterson Should Protect Core Government Functions Like Schools and Health Care
Last night, Governor Paterson addressed the State with a live television statement regarding the looming financial crisis and multi-billion dollar state budget deficit that is bound to affect all New Yorkers. Click here to read more...

Health Care for America Now (HCAN) Launches $40 Million Health Care Campaign in New York State and Nationwide--Organizations Join Together to Push for Quality, Affordable Health Care for Every American
(CANY, release date 7/8/08)
Today, here in Albany and in 52 other cities across the country, including 37 state capitals, a new national campaign is bringing together millions of Americans to demand quality, affordable health care for all. more..

Campaign Finance Reform Not Lost in 2008 Legislative Session: Assembly bill a strong step forward in fight for public funding of campaigns
(CANY, release date 6/18/08)
On Wednesday, the New York State Assembly passed A.11507 sponsored by Speaker Sheldon Silver.  The bill would institute a voluntary public campaign finance system for statewide, legislative and constitutional convention delegate races in New York.  The legislation combines elements of Speaker Silver’s former matching funds public financing legislation and the Clean Elections style of public financing represented in S.7175a sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith.

Citizen Action and the Working Families Party make a State Senate endorsment
(CANY, release date 6/8/08)
Citizen Action of New York and the Working Families Party officially endorse Don Barber for the 51st state Senate seat.

Citizen Action Responds to Suozzi Commission
Letter from Special Advisors Supports Circuit breaker; Opposes Cap
(CANY, release date 6/3/08)
CANY Executive Director Karen Scharff responds to the Suozzi Commission's proposed tax cap.

Victims of Health Care System Tell Their Stories at People’s Public Hearing
Patients, Organizations Call for Action on Universal Health Care
(PPEF, release date 5/28/08)
Health insurance consumers testified in Albany today before a panel of state officials and legislators about their personal experiences with a broken health care system, and made recommendations as to how to fix the system in order to deliver quality, affordable health care for all New Yorkers.  The “People’s Public Hearing” was sponsored by Health Care for All New York (HCFANY), a new coalition of over 50 organizations that is urging the Governor and the Legislature to develop and enact an affordable health care program covering all New Yorkers.

Poll results show overwhelming support for Clean Elections
(PPEF, release date 4/28/08)
In a new poll, New Yorkers of all political stripes show overwhelming support for public financing of elections for statewide and legislative offices, even in tough times for the State budget. Click here for a summary of the poll results. Click here for the full poll results.

Endless War or Human Needs:
Local Residents Protest Upside-Down Priorities of U.S. on Tax Day 
(Citizen Action, release date 04/15/08)
As last-minute tax filers rushed to post offices on Tax Day, representatives of area community, labor and peace groups, including Albany County legislator Douglas Bullock, assembled outside an Albany post office to highlight how billions of tax dollars are being wasted each month for the War in Iraq, while education, health care, mortgage foreclosures, food stamps, energy assistance and other basic human needs are neglected.

Paterson Long Time Champion of Public Campaign Financing
(Citizen Action, release date 03/12/08)
Lt. Governor David Paterson, who will become the Governor of New York on March 17th, is a long time champion of Clean Elections, public campaign finance reform. As a State Senator and as Senate Minority Leader, Paterson was the prime sponsor of Clean Elections – full public financing legislation.

Bush Budget Will Hurt New York Families and Taxpayers
(Citizen Action, release date 02/05/08)
“Almost 50 million Americans lack health care, public schools are in disrepair, after-school programs are scrambling to keep their doors open, and the most vulnerable in our communities have fewer options than ever,” said Karen Scharff, Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York.  “New York needs investment in New York’s future, not continued funding of the war in Iraq and more tax breaks for millionaires and corporate interests.”

Reynolds Once Again Votes With Bush Instead of New York Children and Taxpayers (Citizen Action, release date 01/23/08)

Bush’s and Kuhl’s Opposition to Children’s Health Bill Will Cost Strapped New York Taxpayers $19 Million This Year (Citizen Action, release date 01/23/08)

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