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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWant to protect women's reproductive health in New York? Elect Democrats to State Senate
In 1970, three years before the national Roe v. Wade decision, New York State decriminalized abortion. This historic accomplishment was done with bipartisan support, including 12 Republican senators who worked with their Democratic colleagues to pass the bill through the Republican-led chamber. Today, almost 50 years later, not one Republican in our Senate chamber will stand up to simply affirm a womans right to choose and codify the Roe v. Wade decision into state law. This fact, along with the rise of Donald Trump, shows how extreme New York Senate Republicans have become.
Donald Trump and his GOP allies have been very clear that their priority is to repeal Roe v. Wade and work to roll back the clock on womens rights. If that happens, New York State will be in a dangerous position since our laws are outdated and we have been unable to modernize them because of State Senate Republican obstruction.
Multiple times this past legislative session my Senate Democratic Conference fought to force womens reproductive health-care bills to the Senate floor for a vote. Rather than allow a simple yes or no vote on these bills, the Senate Republican Majority went so far as to shut down the State Senate and refused to even allow my colleagues to speak about these important womens health issues. This type of extremist behavior has no place in a state like New York where the voters overwhelmingly support womens rights and health-care options. That is why it is essential we elect more pro-choice Senate candidates, so we can finally take action and stand up for the rights of New York women.
Our state has been stuck in the mud because the Senate Republicans have fought progress and still refuse to listen to the majority of New York voters. This is why we have been unable to take meaningful action on womens rights, election reform, gun safety, protecting vulnerable communities, combating corruption, criminal justice reforms, environmental protection, and a host of other issues.
As millions of New Yorkers watch what is happening nationally, they are understandably frustrated that their state government cant do more to protect and expand their rights. Thankfully, we also know that elections have consequences. As we approach another important election cycle, New Yorkers have an opportunity to elect a progressive, pro-choice Senate Majority. Together, we have the ability to move New York forward.
https://www.lohud.com/story/opinion/contributors/2018/07/18/stewart-cousins-gop-senators-blocked-reproductive-health-bills/777044002/
vi5
(13,305 posts)...but voters DID elect Democrats to the state Senate a while ago, and that SHOULD have given control of the state Senate to Democrats who held the majority of seats. But thanks to "independent Democrats" who vote with the Republicans and vote to give Republicans control, the Republicans control the state.
So blaming "the Republican majority" in this case is actually not accurate. How about Sen. Cousins do something about whatever Dems are still voting to give Republicans control of the state. And do something to insure that her fellow Democrats actually vote for Democrats as per the will of the voters.
RandySF
(58,728 posts)The Independent Dems are back in the Democratic Caucus, but there is one Dem who still sits with the Republicans.
vi5
(13,305 posts)....the piece is written from the perspective of and multiple times mentions a "Republican majority". There is only a "Republican majority" because a Democrat makes it so (and up until April it was multiple Dems making it so), and allows the Republicans to set the agenda, determine what comes up for votes, etc.
I don't know how anyone in the New York or New York area as I am could read that and not go "What? Hey wait, we DID elect Democrats to the Senate!"
It's a similar clusterfuck to my own state of New Jersey where the state Senate which was controlled by Democrats cheered on Democrat Phil Murphy for governor.....stood next to him as he campaigned for a variety of things.....watched as the voters overwhelmingly voted for him and the policies he explicitly ran on and stated he wanted......and now he's being blocked by Democrats in the Senate on almost all of it. Literally, the headline in our biggest state newspaper yesterday was "State Dems try to limit Murphy's power".