This excellent newsletter speaks to many of the issues we have to prepare for such as the
SEPTEMBER 17 NYC DEMONSTRATION. DETAILS BELOW. ARE YOU READY TO MARCH??? Talk to, not email, people about this crucial demonstration.
You can read about Lawler’s town hall and his strategy of using a lottery to select question. A brilliant strategy on his part that dilutes whatever we have to say. The strategy for asking him to support
Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030 (949⁹
This is something we can all do. Scroll down for details about this bill.
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HERE’S WHY WE HAVE TO SHOW UP AT LAWLER’S TOWN HALLS
Operations Committee member Celeste Theis attended Mike Lawler’s first Town Hall (not to be confused with his Mobile Office Hours) August 22 in Carmel. Don’t miss this must-read report.
Mike Lawler hosted his first actual Town Hall meeting on 8/22 in Carmel. There were upwards of 100 people in attendance at the middle school auditorium, and it was an important reminder that we CCoHopers live in a bubble. There was no mention of Bidenomics, the virtues of the Inflation Reduction Act, or questions about abortion, climate change, guns, or safeguarding our democracy.
The entire event – roughly 90 minutes – was devoted to Lawler taking questions from the audience, which were chosen by a lottery system. The issues of most concern were crime, immigration, and taxes.
Lawler said that the “biggest issue” is making life more affordable for New Yorkers. He attributed the problem to out-of-control government spending (but neglected to say what he would chose to cut from the budget) and inflation, which he says has increased since last year.
He touted his efforts to roll back the cap on SALT (without mentioning that the cap – which will expire in 2025 – was Trump’s way of exacting retribution for Blue states’ sanctuary status).
Other questions touched on education, vaccines, student debt, migrants, and crime.
The crowd was overwhelmingly friendly toward Lawler, a love fest with one potentially difficult question about Lawler’s thoughts about the fairness of Trump’s Georgia indictment. Lawler demurred by saying that Trump will have his day in court. He also drew a false equivalence by citing Democrats who have challenged election results through the courts.
Lawler is very adept at providing disinformation in a wrapper of reasonable-sounding talk. A “BS burrito,” if you will. After you’ve heard him answer questions a few times, his double-speak becomes a very discernible pattern.
Lawler plans to hold Town Halls in counties with CD17 voters over the coming months. It is imperative that CCoHopers (and other like-minded folks) attend. If he continues the format of audience questions by lottery, it will be even more important to show up to increase our odds of asking Lawler questions and pressing him with our follow up questions.
LOBBY LAWLER TO VOTE FOR CLIMATE BILL H.R.598
H.R.598, Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030, was introduced in the House January 27, 2023.
Background: Rep Mike Lawler voted for fossil-fuel-friendly H.R.1 in the midst of a climate crisis. His explanation: we need to accelerate our production of fossil fuels as we transition to other forms of energy. Now’s the time to tell Lawler that this line of thinking has produced the warmest global temperatures on record. Fortunately for Lawler, he can do the right thing and support the Earth Act to Stop Climate Pollution by 2030 (H.R.598), which gives the U.S. the deadline required to fast forward work on renewable energy. Contrary to HR1, HR 598 addresses climate change by establishing a deadline for requirements concerning renewable energy, zero emission vehicles, regenerative agriculture, and tax incentives related to climate transition costs. Specifically, the bill requires that by 2030, 100% of
- electricity sold by certain retail electric suppliers must be from renewable energy resources (e.g., wind energy);
- new motor vehicles (e.g., certain cars and trucks) sold by manufacturers must be zero emission vehicles;
- land and livestock managed by certain publicly-traded corporations must be managed with regenerative agricultural practices.
To read the entire summary of the bill, click here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/118th-congress/house-bill/598/all-info
Action: Call Representative Lawler and tell him there can be no argument against supporting HR598. Climate initiatives need deadlines, not delays!
DC office: (202) 225-6506
Email form: https://lawler.house.gov/contact/
CLIMATE MARCH SEPTEMBER 17, 1:00-4:00 PM
SUPPORT THE DRIVE TO END THE PRODUCTION OF FOSSIL FUELS. The New York Progressive Action Network is sponsoring a March to End Fossil Fuels in New York City. For more information, including the exact place to convene, and to sign up, click HERE.
REMINDER: CCOHOPE GENERAL ZOOM MEETING, WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 7-8 PM
This month our focus is on redistricting in NYS, and in order to accommodate our guest speakers, we’re meeting the third (rather than the second) Wednesday in September. Yes, congressional districts in NY may be redrawn again for the 2024 election; see this Politico article for background:https://www.politico.com/news/2023/08/21/new-york-redistricting-2024-elections-00111914.
David Immamura, former Chair of NYS Independent Redistricting Commission, and current Chair, Deputy Westchester Executive Ken Jenkins, will discuss the complexities and potential outcomes of redistricting in NY, followed by a Q&A. Zoom link to follow.
CCoHOPE POSTCARD WRITERS DELIVER…AGAIN & AGAIN
THANKS to CCoHOPE members who gathered August 24 to address and write 500 postcards to Virginia voters in support of candidates who will fight for their rights in the statewide November 7 election. Stay tuned for postcards in support of enshrining reproductive freedom in Ohio’s state constitution.
MORE EXAMPLES OF LTEs EXPOSING LAWLER’S POLITICAL DOUBLESPEA
Action: We’ve been urging CCoHOPE members to write LTEs calling out Lawler on the discrepancy between his rhetoric and his actions. Both of the following letters published in the Putnam County Times offer talking points that could be used to draft LTEs to other publications.
For publications that cover CD17, click here: https://bit.ly/3OOn98t and here: https://bit.ly/3OgRD15For a guide to writing LTEs, click here: https://bit.ly/3QmOvDz
MEET THE CANDIDATES IN PERSON: TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 7:00 PM, 46 DEPOT PLAZA, BEDFORD TRAIN STATION
Save the date: Northern Westchester Indivisible is hosting a forum to meet the candidates, any one of whom may be the Democrat opposing Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the November 2024 election. Lawler’s claims to bipartisanship are not backed by his voting record, and he will face a formidable challenge from one of the three Democratic primary candidates: Maryann Carr, Liz Gereghty, and Mondaire Jones.
NWI has invited the Democratic contenders to attend the meeting at separate times. They will individually address three pivotal questions:1. How do you differentiate yourself from the other Democratic candidates for NY17?2. What strategies do you intend to employ to defeat Lawler in the 2024 election, and why are you best positioned to do so?3. What actions should groups like Indivisible take between now and November 2024 to contribute effectively to this goal? |
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JOIN CCoHOPE General Zoom Meetings, held the second Wednesday of every month 7-8 PM. Recurring Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84421673597
CCoHOPE Indivisible announcements are compiled and emailed by members of the Operations Committee:
Sara Campbell, Karen Sevell Greenbaum, Ricki Rusting, Celeste Theis.
Email us at ccohope.mail@gmail.com
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Donate: https://secure.actblue.com/donate/indivisiblecchope429175832.