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FASNY REVIEW: “A CRUEL CHARADE,” FIFTY FIVE YEAR RESIDENT SAYS
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. JUNE 24, 2015: Mayor and Common Council, The writing is on the wall and it doesn’t appear favorable for the residents of White Plains. Initially I did not expect this outcome, anticipating reason and fairness to prevail. It is now obvious that the past 4 plus years has been a cruel charade. No matter the voluminous and cogent comments by your constituency contradicting the fiction FASNY has been dispensing, your obstinacy, arrogance, and lack of transparency is poised to grant a special permit to a school that does not belong here. Living in White Plains for fifty five years and in my cherished house on Dupont for 50 years I find myself at the mercy of a Mayor, the Common Council(minus two), and appointed officials who will be responsible for my premature departure from White Plains. I am proud to say that I served the residents of this city well for forty five years as a Cardiologist, eight of those years as Chief of Cardiology at White Plains Hospital where I was instrumental in supervising the new Cardiac Care Unit, training nurses, starting the first Echocardiology program in the county, chairman of the patient care committee and much more. It is infuriating for me to accept the fact that a handful of people are prepared to turn my life upside down by forcing me to vacate the house and community I love for specious reasons. Ron and Marie Rhodes have provided you with more than enough facts o deny FASNY their special permit. IF their letter last month has not given you sufficient reason then I have to assume that there is something rotten in the City of White Plains. Sanford S Zevon, M.D. White Plains, New York
PLEA TO MAYOR AND COMMON COUNCIL–EMINENT DOMAIN SHOULD NOT BE USED TO TAKE HATHAWAY LANE
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WPCNR THE LETTER TICKER. JUNE 24, 2015:
Dear Mayor Roach and Honorable Members of the Common Council:
Attached is the link to a thoughtful article regarding the negative impacts of government authorities taking property for the exclusive benefit of private developers.
http://reason.com/blog/2015/06/23/the-kelo-debacle-turns-10
The article discusses the harmful US Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. City of New London, and the dangerous ruling of the New York Court of Appeals in the Columbia University case that FASNY has improperly cited as precedent for closing Hathaway Lane.
To be clear, the law of eminent domain does not apply to the proposed demapping of Hathaway Lane, as we have demonstrated in several letters to you. Nonetheless, the adverse impacts of eminent domain discussed in this article are substantially the same as depriving the public of the use of this important street.
We believe that is ironic that you will be voting on the FASNY application at the ten-year anniversary of the Kelo decision. As the author points out, it is remarkable when political figures as diverse as Democratic Rep. Maxine Waters of California and radio host Rush Limbaugh agree on anything!
In sum, FASNY is improperly relying upon eminent domain principles to justify its proposals. But when a developer relies upon the wrong doctrine that in and itself is harmful and destructive, does this not show that something is radically wrong with this development?
Joseph and Denise DeMarzo
White Plains, New York 10605
Governor, Senate and Assembly Leaders Establish a “Framework” — TAX CAP CONTINUED; RENT CONTROL EXTENDED; $250 MILLION FOR PRIVATE SCHOOLS, 50 NEW CHARTER SCHOOLS. PRIVATE SCHOOL TAX CREDIT DROPPED. EXAM QUESTION EXPOSURE.
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. SPECIAL TO WPCNR FROM THE GOVERNOR’S PRESS OFFICE. JUNE 23, 2015 (EDITED):
Tuesday, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie announced the framework of a three-way agreement on a number of priorities for the end of the 2015-16 legislative session.
The three-way agreement includes the following reforms and actions, among others:
Extends the Property Tax Cap and Cuts Taxes for Homeowners
The agreement extends the property tax cap for an additional four years. Since its enactment in 2011, the real property tax cap has dramatically reduced the growth in local property taxes. As compared with the 10 year period prior to 2011, the real property tax cap has reduced the rate of growth in local taxes by nearly 60 percent. As a result, the cap has saved the typical homeowner $800 since its enactment. This savings is expected to increase to $2,100 by 2017.
The agreement also includes $1.3 billion in property tax cuts for homeowners.
Invests in Education–Private School Tax Credit for Tuition, Gifts Dropped, but 50 New Charter Schools Slots Added; $250 Million for Private School Aid Added
The agreement also includes major advancements in education policy, as well as assistance for both public and private schools in New York State. These include:
· Increased funding of $250 million to reimburse private schools for the costs of performing State mandated services and the CAP programo
The Parental Empowerment Act which will require the disclosure of state exam questions and answers, the creation of a student content review committee by the State Education Department, and a review of growth model.·
An amendment on the cap on charter schools in New York City. 50 New Charter Schools.This will allow 50 unissued and expired charters to be made available for new schools from the State Education Department or from the State University of New York; and
· A one-year extension of mayoral control of the New York City school system, subject to annual review and approval.
Strengthening and Extending Rent Laws in New York City and Other Metropolitan Areas
The New York metropolitan region’s rent laws will be extended for four years, and will be made retroactive to June 15, 2015. Further, additional reforms will be made to strengthen these laws, including:
· Increasing and indexing the high rent threshold to the applicable rent guidelines board (rent guidelines boards apply different rents to different geographic areas). This will make it more difficult for units to be removed from rent regulation because it will allow for the high rent watermark to float based on the rent guidelines board increases.
· Vacancy decontrol limits will be increased, and be indexed to the Rent Guidelines Board.
· Increasing civil harassment penalties. These provisions increase monetary penalties imposed on landlords who harass tenants by approximately $1,000.
· Extends the Major Capital Improvement amortization period to reduce the overall increase to a tenant’s rent.
· Limits the vacancy bonus provided to landlords on tenants who receive preferential rent as a way to stop the “drain” on these units.
· Putting the successful tenant protection unit into statute to ensure the unit remains permanent in protecting tenants
Extends and Reforms Affordable Housing.
The agreement extends and reforms the 421-a program for four years to provide more affordable housing to residents in New York City and a Memorandum of Understanding will be required between the industry and trades.
Cracks DOWN on Sex Violence on Campus; Nail Salon Abuses; Moves Port Authority reform.
The Governor and legislative leaders also recently reached agreements on two other significant packages of legislation –
the first ensuring that private colleges in the state establish a uniform and comprehensive set of policies to protect students from sexual violence,
and the second giving the state the authority to crack down on bad actors in the nail salon industry, while also establishing a new licensing program to help workers acquire new skills.
Last week, the Governor and legislative leaders also reached an agreement on a bill to codify comprehensive reforms to overhaul the port authority of New York and New Jersey.
These reforms also build on the earlier accomplishments secured during the first half of the legislative session, including:
· Landmark education reforms and a $1.3 billion increase in state education aid, bringing total state funding to $23.5 billion – the highest in New York’s history;
· New ethics laws to deter, detect and punish breaches of the public trust, including the nation’s strongest disclosure requirements for outside income;
· $5.4 billion investment in programs and initiatives to grow New York’s economy (such as the $1.5 billion Upstate Revitalization Initiative, a $1.3 billion investment in the New York State Thruway, and $500 million to establish the New NY Broadband Program and ensure statewide high-speed broadband access by the end of 2018); and
· An economic mobility agenda that includes investments in affordable housing, student loan relief, MWBE support, and homeless and hunger assistance programs.
Video of that announcement can be viewed here: http://youtu.be/fZhWIGUT8Kw
WHITE PLAINS WEEK ON THE INTERNET NOW AT www.whiteplainsweek.com
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o
ON
THE CHARLESTON ATTACK WHAT IT SAYS TO US
THE RED LIGHT CAMERAS ARE COMING — LEGISLATURE APPROVES 5 YEAR TRIAL.
THE FASNY SPECIAL MEETING COMING UP
THE PLAYLAND STANDARD AMUSEMENTS APPROVAL — WHAT IT DID NOT DO
THE LEAKY FIREHOUSE
AND
MORE
TONIGHT
NOW ON THE INTERNET AT
www.whiteplainsweek.com
The LETTER TICKER: JOURNAL NEWS SUGGESTS DETOURS AROUND HUTCH BACKUPS BY USING NORTH STREET
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WPCNR’S THE LETTER TICKER. JUNE 19, 2015:
Dear Mayor and Common Council:
In today’s (Friday) Journal News there’s an article about Traffic volume being up in recent months. . .and we have to say that we have noticed a lot more Traffic on our local streets in White Plains in recent weeks. . .before even considering all of FASNY’s planned cars and buses.
Here’s the link for the complete Journal News article:
http://www.lohud.com/story/news/traffic/2015/06/18/traffic-westchester-rockland/28927177/
What caught our attention was the Journal News Reporter is suggesting how to avoid the Hutchinson Parkway backups by cutting thru local White Plains streets. . .including adding Traffic going past FASNY’s planned North Street Entrance. . .and then turning on Ridgeway, the “Collector Street” FASNY’s plans were trying to avoid. . .and eventually turning onto Old Mamaroneck Avenue.
Here’s the Reporter’s Traffic recommendation that impacts the Southeast neighborhoods of White Plains:
“Southbound Hutchinson Parkway is notorious for heavy traffic delays. To avoid parkway traffic, try this local route: From Westchester Avenue, turn west onto Bryant Avenue; south on North Street; southwest on Ridgeway; south on Old Mamaroneck Avenue, which turns into Secor Road; southwest on Heathcote Bypass, which turns into Weaver Street; south on Stratton Road; south on Pinebrook Boulevard; and then merge onto southbound lanes of the Hutchinson Parkway.”
Residents like ourselves have been trying for 5 years to alert the Common Council to our concerns about the volume of FASNY Traffic and the likelihood of cut-thru problems for local WP neighborhood streets without sidewalks. Now we have the Journal News recommending more Traffic for these same local streets.
We didn’t get a chance to review the new Agenda Packet for your June 29th FASNY Meeting. . .however in the prior SEQR Submissions and in the detailed Site Plans. . .neither FASNY nor the City Staff distinguished themselves by anticipating correctly where FASNY’s planned Traffic will flow. . .or by identifying “solutions” to eliminate FASNY’s Traffic problems.
So we look forward to your June 29th Meeting for the Common Council’s own “solutions” on FASNY’s Traffic increases. . .as well as your “solutions” on all the other FASNY adverse events and negatives we previously communicated to you.
Thanks in advance for correcting FASNY’s plans,
Your Truth Police, Team Rhodes
Marie and Ron Rhodes
RED LIGHT CAMERA GIVEN GREEN LIGHT BY STATE ASSEMBLY. GOVERNOR’S SIGNATURE IS NEXT
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BULLETIN FROM ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID BUCHWALD’S OFFICE
ASSEMBLYMAN DAVID BUCHWALD’S OFFICE REPORTED TO WPCNR THIS MORNING THAT LATE THURSDAY EVENING THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY PASSED THE RED LIGHT CAMERA HOME RULE REQUEST BY THE CITY OF WHITE PLAINS ALLOWING A 5 YEAR TRIAL OF THE RED LIGHT RUNNER PHOTO SYSTEM.
THE MEASURE NOW NEEDS GOVERNOR ANDREW CUOMO’S SIGNATURE TO ALLOW WHITE PLAINS TO INSTALL CAMERAS AS EARLY AS THIS FALL.
No New Developments to be Discussed at FASNY MEETING, COUNCIL PRESIDENT SAYS. HE GUARANTEES NO VOTE ON THE 29TH. PREFERS IT IN JULY.
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WPCNR COMMON COUNCIL CHRONICLE-EXAMINER. EXCLUSIVE to WPCNR By John F. Bailey June 18, 2015 UPDATED JUNE 19, 9:33 A.M. E.D.T.:
Common Council President John Martin told WPCNR moments ago that he preferred a vote as early as July on the French American School of New York legislation enabling closure of Hathaway Lane and allowing a Special Permit to build a new campus on the former grounds of the Ridgeway Country Club.
WPCNR called Mr. Martin to find out if there were any “new developments” on FASNY that might be considered in the June 29, 5:30 meeting noticed today by the City Clerk.
Martin said “There are no new developments to be considered and if you see on the city website there is the legislation enabling the project. I know of no other new investigations, no other issues that need to be considered.”
Mr. Martin contacted WPCNR this morning and wanted to clarify that statement, indicating there were issues to be considered, just that there were no outstanding clarifications. Apparently there will be discussion of some issues that the complete application needs:
“I note in your article you quote me as saying there are “no other issues that need to be considered”. I don’t question saying that but when looked at strictly speaking it would appear that I am satisfied with the proposed text of the legislation. As I am only part of the way through the materials for our meeting of the 29th I can already tell you that there certainly are issues to be considered. I should have more accurately said that there is no more evidentiary material or submissions to be considered.”
Asked if this meant a vote might take place June 29. Martin said, “I guarantee you there will not be a vote on the 29th. I will push for a separate date to vote, sometime in July. I do not even want to move this out to August 2.”
NY STATE GIGS THREE DEALERSHIPS FOR FRAUDULENT CREDIT REPAIR PRACTICES INCLUDING WHITE PLAINS HONDA
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WPCNR WHITE PLAINS LAW JOURNAL. From the Office of the New York State Attorney General. June 17, 2015:
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman today announced a multi-million dollar settlement with three car dealerships, Paragon Motors of Woodside, Inc., d/b/a Paragon Honda; Worldwide Motors Ltd., d/b/a Paragon Acura; and Civic Center Motors Ltd., d/b/a White Plains Honda at 344 Central Avenue.
The agreement, which returns more than $13.5 million in restitution to consumers, concludes an investigation into these dealerships for alleged unlawful sale of credit repair and identity theft prevention services, and other “after-sale” items to 15,000 consumers – items that in some cases added more than $2,000 in hidden costs and fees onto the sale or lease price of a single vehicle. The Paragon dealerships, which are jointly owned, claim to be the largest combined Honda dealership in the country. Under a consent order agreement signed by the company, they will also pay $325,000 in penalties, fees and costs to New York State.
“When consumers shop for a car, they deserve to be dealt with honestly and fairly – and not to be misled by auto dealers who use deceptive tactics to fleece their own customers,” NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman said in announcing a $13.5 Million settlement with three car dealers for fraudulent credit repair services.
“New York consumers must beware: Car dealerships sometimes pad their pockets by charging for worthless after-sale items, which inflate the price of their car. These items are often ones that consumers don’t need, did not ask for and often are not even told about. Businesses need to make a profit to survive, but it’s illegal to do so by duping consumers.”
This settlement is part of the attorney general’s wider initiative to end the practice of “jamming,” unlawfully charging consumers for hidden purchases by car dealerships.
As part of the wider investigation, Attorney General Schneiderman’s Consumer Frauds Bureau recently obtained a consent order that shut down Credit Forget, Inc. (CFI), a New York company that sold the unlawful credit repair and identity theft prevention services to car dealerships.
The dealerships turned around and sold those service contracts at a higher price. It is a violation of state and federal law to charge upfront fees for services that promise to help consumers restore or improve their credit, and contracts that violate the law are void.
“A car is one of the biggest purchases many consumers make and we must do everything we can to protect them from unscrupulous auto dealers,” said Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner, Julie Menin. “DCA has taken an innovative and aggressive approach, investigating dealers’ relationships with banks, creating a safe, affordable and transparent auto loan, and obtaining restitution for consumers harmed by predatory actors. We’re thankful to the Attorney General for his hard-hitting actions against businesses that are deceiving New York City consumers.”
The Attorney General’s investigation into the three Paragon dealerships found that, between 2010 and 2014, they used deceptive sales tactics, including charging consumers for credit repair services and other “after sale” items without their knowledge or by misrepresenting that the services were free.
The Paragon dealers, all of which are owned by the same individuals, claim to sell or lease approximately 1,000 new and used vehicles a month. According to the investigation, and starting in at least March 2010, Paragon entered into an arrangement with CFI to sell its customers CFI’s credit repair and identify theft protection services. Every time Paragon charged a consumer for these services they violated state and federal laws banning upfront fees for these services.
The agreement requires Paragon to pay $6 million into a restitution fund administered by a third-party administer to be distributed to Paragon consumers with CFI contracts and to provide each of the about 15,000 consumers with a $500 “settlement card” that can be applied to one or more of the following from Paragon:
- the purchase or lease of any new or used vehicle;
- certain services or maintenance, such as oil changes, tire rotations, tire repairs, and wheel alignments; or
- certain accessories, such as mats and replacement windshield wipers.
The Paragon dealerships covered are located at 57-02 Northern Boulevard and 56-02 Northern Boulevard in Woodside, N.Y., and 344 Central Avenue, in White Plains.
The Attorney General’s investigation found that Paragon used fraudulent, deceptive, and illegal methods to sell the approximately 15,000 CFI contracts to consumers. After a consumer worked with a salesperson to choose a car, they met with a “Finance & Insurance Manager” who attempted to sell them additional products such as extended warranties, a security system and credit repair services. In many instances, the investigation showed, Paragon simply charged consumers for the credit repair services and concealed that they were charging consumers. In others instances, Paragon allegedly falsely told consumers, who said they did not need or want the services, that the services were free. Some consumers were sold the services without their knowledge despite the fact that they had excellent credit.
In addition to charging consumers for credit repair and identity theft prevention services without their knowledge or consent, the Paragon dealers added on charges for other after-sale items, like tire protection and Lo-Jack, without clearly disclosing what they were charging for such items. The costs of these items were often bundled into the vehicle sale price and not separately itemized. As a result, often unbeknownst to the consumer, the price of the car stated on purchase and lease documents was inflated by the amount of these after-sale items.
The Attorney General’s investigation further found that the dealerships failed to provide required disclosures, such as a consumer’s rights to cancel the credit repair services contract. In addition, the dealerships sometimes negotiated purchase and lease terms with consumers in Spanish and then only provided contracts and documents in English. New York City law requires that when the terms of an installment agreement are negotiated in Spanish, the seller must provide documents translated in Spanish.
The settlement prohibits Paragon from:
- Selling, offering to sell or marketing credit repair and identity theft services in connection with the sale or lease of a vehicle;
- Selling, offering for sale, or providing to consumers any after-sale product or service unless, prior to such sale, certain material terms, including price, are disclosed verbally and in writing;
- Misrepresenting the price of the vehicle in final lease or sale contracts;
- Negotiatingany terms of a sale or lease with a consumer in a language other than English without providing a translation of certain material documents in the language in which the terms were negotiated before the consumer signs these documents;
- Failing to provide consumers with sales or lease agreements that clearly and conspicuously itemize each after-sale product or service and its price.
The Attorney General’s consent orderwith Credit Forget It and its two principals, Damien Bullard and Michael E. Morgan, dissolves the company, enjoins it and its principals from marketing, promoting, selling, or engaging in the “credit services business” in violation of the law or from misrepresenting the services they offer. It requires Credit Forget It and its principals to instruct all dealerships to whom they distributed contracts for credit repair services for sale to consumers to stop selling these services and to remove all promotional materials and contracts from their dealerships. It further orders the dissolution of Credit Forget It. If Credit Forget It and its principals do not comply with these terms, they must pay $2 million.
According to the Attorney General’s investigation, L.I Autoworld used deceptive sales tactics to sell CFI’s credit repair services and other after-sale items to consumers. They failed to provide sufficient time for consumers to review their financing documents and sometimes failed to give consumers copies of those documents, and enticed consumers to enter into high monthly payments with the false promise that the consumer could refinance in six months.
The Attorney General also served notice of his intent to sue eleven automobile dealerships who allegedly engaged in similar practices. They are:
- Westchester Autoplex, Inc. d/b/a Honda of New Rochelle, 25 East Main Street, New Rochelle, NY;
- G. Hylan Motors Corp d/b/a Staten Island Honda and Staten Island Nissan, 1232 and 1220 Hylan Boulevard, Staten Island, New York;
- Huntington Honda, Inc.,1055 E. Jericho Turnpike, Huntington, NY;
- GPB 8 LLC d/b/a Nissan of Huntington, 850 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, NY;
- GPB 9 LLC d/b/a Volkswagen of Huntington, 838 East Jericho Turnpike, Huntington Station, NY;
- Plaza Motors of Brooklyn, Inc. d/b/a Plaza Honda, 2740 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY;
- Plaza Hyundai, Ltd., 2740 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY;
- Plaza Oldsmobile, Ltd. d/b/a Plaza Toyota, 2733 Nostrand Avenue, Brooklyn, NY;
- Louzoun Enterprises, Inc. d/b/a/ Queensboro Toyota, 62-10 Northern Blvd, Woodside, NY;
- Potamkin New York, LP d/b/a Potamkin Hyundai, 2495 2nd Ave., Manhattan;
The office is continuing to investigate other New York auto dealers that sold or sell after-sale services, including Manfredi Auto Central LLC on Staten Island, which allegedly sold more than 1,400 CFI contracts. The Attorney General filed a motion to compel documents from Manfredi, after it refused to comply with an investigatory subpoena.
Consumers who believe they have been jammed with unwanted products or services or who were sold CFI’s credit repair services by a car dealership are urged to file complaints onlineor call 1-800-771-7755.
The cases against the Paragon dealerships, Credit Forget It, Manfredi and the continuing investigation against other dealers are being handled by Special Assistant Attorney General Stephen Mindell, Assistant Attorneys General Noah Popp, Elena González and Herbert Israel, Adam Cohen, Marsha Yee, Deputy Bureau Chief Laura J. Levine, Bureau Chief Jane M. Azia, all of the Consumer Frauds and Protection Bureau, and Executive Deputy Attorney General for Economic Justice Karla G. Sanchez. L.I. Autoworld was handled by Assistant Attorney General Rachael C. Anello, Kimberly Kinirons, Assistant Attorney General in Charge of the Suffolk Regional Office, and Executive
Governor Announces Agreement on College Sexual Assault Legislation
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WPCNR ALBANY ROUNDS. From the Governor’s Office. June 16, 2015:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie today announced that a three-way agreement has been reached on the “Enough is Enough” legislation to combat sexual assault on college campuses in New York State.
This on-campus sexual assault prevention and response legislation was first proposed by Governor Cuomo in January. The package includes:
· A statewide definition of affirmative consent, defining consent as a knowing, voluntary, and mutual decision among all participants to engage in sexual activity;
· A statewide amnesty policy, to ensure that students reporting incidents of sexual assault or other sexual violence are granted immunity for certain campus policy violations, such as drug and alcohol use;
· A Students’ Bill of Rights, which campuses will be required to distribute to all students in order to specifically inform sexual violence victims of their legal rights and how they may access appropriate resources.
The Bill of Rights clearly states that students are given the right to know they can report sexual assaults to outside law enforcement, including the State Police;
· Comprehensive training requirements for administrators, staff, and students, including at new student orientations.;
· Reporting requirements for campuses to annually submit aggregate data on reported incidents of sexual violence and their adjudication and handling to the State Education Department;
· A new unit within the State Police called the “sexual assault victims unit” specialized in advanced training in responding to sexual assaults and related crimes that shall also provide assistance to campus police or local law enforcement, as well as training to college campus communities;
· A commitment of $10 million to help combat campus sexual assault through various partners, split in the following manner:
$4.5 million to rape crisis centers to provide services and resources to students, $4.5 million to the State Police to create sexual assault victims unit, and $1 million to colleges and universities; and
· A requirement for first responders to notify survivors of their right to contact outside law enforcement.
“Today is a victory for students across New York State,” Governor Cuomo said. “As the Governor, and as a father, I am proud that with this legislation New York will become a national leader in the fight against sexual assault on college campuses.
This action is a major step forward to protect students from an issue that has been plaguing schools nationwide for far too long. Once again, New York is setting the standard for other states to follow, and I look forward to signing this legislation into law as soon as possible.”
Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan said, “I am pleased and proud that working together we have reached a consensus on a bill to combat and root out sexual assault so our college campuses are safe learning environments for all students. I thank Senator Ken LaValle for his hard work on this issue, as well as Governor Cuomo and Speaker Heastie, and I commend my colleagues and the advocates for helping us achieve a positive result on this extraordinarily important piece of legislation.”
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, “Every student deserves the opportunity to obtain a higher education in a safe and supportive environment. Campus sexual assault disrupts victims’ lives and shifts their focus away from their studies. This plan encourages victims to speak up and provides a uniform policy for handling accusations throughout all New York State colleges, as well as bolsters support services for victims of this heinous act. New York must continue to lead the way in the fight against campus sexual assault.”
Supporters for this legislation include:
· Lady Gaga, who also co-authored an op-ed with the Governor;
· 17 of 18 county executives statewide;
· Whoopi Goldberg, who also filmed a video for the campaign;
· More than 40 city mayors from across the state;
· More than 100 elected officials from across the state;
· Nearly 20 members of New York’s Congressional Delegation;
· More than 50 statewide and local organizations, in addition to 30 advocacy groups, community organizations and unions and 14 labor groups;
· 28 public safety officials from across the state;
· Student advocates from Barnard College and Syracuse, Columbia, Fordham and New York Universities; and
· House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi.
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