Battered by the Storm

A joint JWJ/IPS Report; Battered by the Storm: How the Safety Net Is Failing Americans and How to Fix It, concludes that the economic crisis is still on the rise for millions of Americans, while at the same time the social safety net is failing to support many of them. It offers one of the boldest, most comprehensive plans to combat poverty and unemployment...

Among the study’s key findings:
• Levels of long-term unemployment, underemployment and discouraged workers are reaching historic levels;
• The percentage of poor children receiving temporary assistance under TANF (the main federal “welfare” program) has fallen from 62% in 1995 to 22% in 2008;
• TANF benefits are far from sufficient to support the families that depend on them: 2008 assistance payments averaged only 29% of the money needed to bring families up to the official poverty line;
• Even while labor force participation of mothers has increased, the supply of affordable child care has lagged behind, creating a significant barrier to employment for many, especially single mothers; and
• Roughly 57% of unemployed people are receiving unemployment compensation; for those receiving benefits, amounts are less than half of wages, and many are losing work-related health benefits.

For more information or to read the full report, visit: http://www.ips-dc.org/reports/battered-by-the-storm

To Read JWJ National Director, Sarita Gupta and report co-author John Cavanagh's follow-up Op-Ed, visit, http://www.statesman.com/opinion/content/editorial/stories/2009/12/08/1208jobs_edit.html

Round the Clock: Buffalo Workers and the Fight for Jobs with Justice

Scorpio Ball

Our second ever Scorpio Ball is coming on November 7th! $8 to get in or $6 with a valid student ID. 18 yrs plus!

This is a costume party. As with any party, nothing is mandatory, but a costume is highly advised.

Where: 700 Main Street, 2nd Floor
Why: Because it's November and we want to celebrate elections (in a non-partisan way, celebrate the lovely scorpios that walk among us, and raise some funds for the incredible work that CEJ does throughout the year, fighting for workers' rights and accountable economic development!

Questions, concerns, or just to learn more about what we do give us a call at 892.5877.

CEJ's new interns from UB School of Social Work

Bina Ahmed
I’m a graduate student at the School of Social Work at University at Buffalo with special interest in International Social Work and Community Organizing. I received my undergrad degree at the State University of New York at Geneseo in International Relations concentrating on War and Peace Studies. Since the completion of my Bachelors degree, I have worked in Toronto with the inner-city youth with behavioral and social problems in an effort to empower them by strengthening their soft skills and confidence building. I have also worked with the immigration population, especially women by developing and implementing relevant programs that would assist the population with smooth transition integration in the western society. Last year, I went to Pakistan, to assist a professor from the School of Social Work at UB in carrying out a research study on the conditions of women in Pakistan. The purpose of the study was to assess social conditions that contribute to women’s empowerment and their struggles in battling societal injustice. At CEJ, I am looking forward to work with excellent team of organizers and promoting CEJ's mission and vision.

Kwadwo Fosu
I’m a graduate student in the School of Social Work at The State University of New York at Buffalo. Born and raised in Ghana, West Africa, I attained my Bachelor’s of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Social Gerontology. My background work experience has mostly been with the elderly population ranging from hospitals, nursing homes and basic home care of the elderly. I got into the Social Work profession because I am person who is willing to reach out a helping hand to people in communities who need a voice to voice out their opinions and issues. It takes a lot to wake up daily and say I want to help people. I want people to educate people of all different races and background and make them realize the inequalities and injustices that surround us. As an intern at Coalition for Economic Justice, my goal is learn about community organizing, campaign activities and engaging with the community.

2,000 words

The Boys


Condo buyer thanks the community for his $1.1 Million Condo...care of tax payers


Condo Buyer and Golisano pal around

Worth a thousand words....

Golisano awaits more publicly subsidized tax breaks.



The Developer, the Politician, and Tom Golisano


The Politician and Golisano announce an exciting opportunity for the tax payers to subsidize housing for the wealthy.


Bina Boos

A Press Conference in 1 Act:

Location: Behind Waterfront Place Condos

Time: 4:00 PM


Designated “Cast”:

Politician: Eric Gallion

Developer: Roger Cook

Condo Buyer: Harrison Watkins

Foreclosed Home Owner: Jane Piazza

Unemployed Worker: Rachel Wilson

Activist: Eric Walker


Act 1: The Press Conference (Politician, Developer, and Condo Buyer stand next to each other, behind podium)


Politician: “We are gathered here today to celebrate the opening of the Waterfront Place Condos. It has been my honor to pave the way for these condos to be built in a tax-free zone, spurring economic development that only the wealthy can afford. This development is a perfect example of creatively using the Empire Zone program, which was originally intended to promote investment and job creation in poorer areas, to subsidize luxury condos for the entitled elite. Without further ado, I would like to introduce the developer who had the courage to take advantage of these subsidies in the third poorest city in the country when he could have built these condos with his own money.”


(Crowd Boos)

Developer: “Thank you. But with all due respect, I have to cry poverty. Even though my rich development company has saved nearly $1 million in sales tax on building materials alone, I will only make an outrageous profit here, rather than an obscene one.”

(Crowd Boos)

“This will be a great deal for those who can afford to buy one of these luxury condos. And to those who can afford them, these condos are a steal – literally. You will not have to pay your property taxes for seven years. We will give that responsibility to our already over-burdened middle and lower class tax-payers. If the condo buyer next to me had to start paying property taxes immediately, he probably couldn’t afford to buy a $1 million condo, but would have had to have settled for a $700,000 condo. He is entitled to this subsidy, just like everyone else around here. We need more public housing for the rich. I should also add that the electric bills of condo buyers will be subsidized by tax-payers.


Now, I would like to introduce another pioneer who was also brave enough to take advantage of tax-breaks when he certainly can afford to pay his own property taxes.

(Crowd Boos)


Condo Buyer: “I am buying a $1 million penthouse here. Because of your unwitting generosity, I will save tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes every year and hundreds of thousands of dollars over ten years. These subsidies benefitting myself and the other wealthy condo buyers are merely the price YOU and average tax-payers have to pay to promote development. And I think the price you have to pay is worth it – just look at the view I am going to have while I am sitting in my Jacuzzi.


Foreclosed Home Owner: (interrupting) “I just lost my home. It was foreclosed upon. Are there any subsidies available for me so I could keep my home?”


Developer: If you can afford one these condos you can get the subsidy. Units are still available for $1 million.


Politician: Government handouts are not for the likes of you; they are only for irresponsible banks and unaccountable corporations who we deem too big to fail. Instead, I would like to give you the opportunity to help pay for these condos.


Unemployed Worker: I recently lost my job because of the criminal actions of the banking industry. Will this development create jobs or is it just another entitlement for the wealthy?


Developer: Will this development create jobs? Of course it will, but don’t ask us how many or what they pay, because you might not be happy with what you are getting for your money. That brings us to the conclusion of this press conference. Tom Golisano and I have to go to Albany to buy some politicians with your money.

(Golisano and Developer walk off followed by Politician. An activist steps to the podium to speak)



Activist: Hold on. Turns out you aren’t destined for Albany. We have tickets for you to go back to Florida. It’s time for an early retirement. And it’s time for us to get our money’s worth. We need development that can build our neighborhoods, and create quality jobs, health care, and housing for all.


(Crowd Cheers)


We have a better plan for NY than these guys. Stop the subsidies. Let’s start with these IDAs and Empire Zone subsidies.


The Governor is working on a plan to ensure that when IDAs take our money they create good jobs. Call the Governor right now and tell him we want IDA reform. Get out your cell phone now. Call 518-474-8390 and tell Governor Patterson you want IDA reform. That’s 518-474-8390 for IDA reform.

We Bailed out the banks, and all I got was this stupid t-shirt

Nearly a year after Congress authorized hundreds of billions of dollars to bailout the financial industry, major banks continue to pay outrageous salaries and bonuses, drive layoffs and foreclosures and spend millions lobbying against the interests of working people. Corporations and the wealthy continue to receive tax-breaks and public subsidies, but fail to create quality jobs for working people or pay their fair share.


Rallies across the country will condemn economic recovery for the “bailout bandits” and “corporate criminals” at Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, Citigroup and Wells Fargo. Actions will call for an end to outrageous subsidies to corporations and demand an economic recovery to provide quality jobs, health care, and housing for working people. In Buffalo, the Coalition for Economic Justice’s action will be focused on the failures of New York’s economic development programs, notably its Empire Zone and Industrial Development Agencies.

Let's continue to let our voices be heard and our message to be clear-BAILING OUT BANKS IS NOT A COMPLETE STEP TOWARDS ECONOMIC RECOVERY!

2010 US Social Forum

http://blip.tv/file/590773

As we gear up for the 2010 US Social Forum, our friends and allies at the Vermont Workers Center sent us this video, capturing their experience at the 2007 US Social Forum. While the video focuses on the VT Workers Center and their delegation,the power of the 2007 Social Forum easily resonates with us all.

We must continue to believe and work towards the concept-Another World IS Possible.

Although the 2010 US Social Forum seems far off-June 22-26- we need to start planning NOW! 2010 Social Forum will be in Detroit, Michigan, one of our Rustbelt Sister Cities and we should be en mass to demonstrate solidarity with Detroit, to share our innovative approaches to accountable economic development,self sufficiency, community power, and to learn from all the other amazing organizations and people immersed in similar fights throughout the world.

If you would like to be a part of the CEJ 2010 US Social Forum Committee, please give us a call at the office. Buffalo should be well represented in Detroit next June.

Another World is Necessary!

Coalition for Economic Justice is located at 237 Main Street-Suite 1200. OR we can be reached at 716.892.5877 or by email-micaela@buffalojwj.org

Bob Grimm

On the morning of August 17th, long time Buffalo advocate, Bob Grimm, peacefully passed away at his home. In his passing, Buffalo lost an amazing, passionate, compassionate man who gave tirelessly to the that which he cared most about; his family, peace, and social and economic justice, not just locally, but globally.

Bob Grimm was one of the co-founders of the Coalition for Economic Justice. In the mid 1980's he and other Buffalonians recognized that the movement of the the local Tri-Co plant as product of a global trend-Globalization. Instead of accepting the departure of this business, which meant loss of jobs and community, the dynamic group of individuals created CEJ, a community of faith, labor, and community to fight back against corporate greed, to hold elected officials accountable, to fight for better wages and job standards for all, and ultimately to fight for human dignity.

His legacy will continue in our work, in our drive to see a better Buffalo and a better world.

Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

Not at the Strike for Justice?

Interesting news items of the day

http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2009/08/unions-mail-against-collins.html

And a report from the folks at NELP on Federal Tax dollars being utilized for poverty wage construction jobs.

http://nelp.3cdn.net/985daceb6c3e450a10_pzm6brsaa.pdf

Erie County Legislature Passes Quality Jobs Resolution

Why is Chris Collins against better wages for working families?
Maybe it's the company he keeps.

While Erie County Executive Chris Collins's reelection committee is raking in thousands of dollars in checks from corporations, he is fighting a bill that would make sure Erie County workers get paychecks they could live on. Tell the County Executive to support working families not just big businesses.

Recently, Erie County Executive Chris Collins drafted a resolution to transfer authority to fund non-profit construction projects from Industrial Development Agencies (IDAs) to the Industrial Land Development Corporation (ILDC). Collins's proposal was an end-run around proposed New York State IDA reforms. Collins's ploy would have enabled the ILDC to provide tax-exempt financing of large non-profit capital construction projects without any accountability, transparency, or quality job standards.

Thankfully, good policy trumped bad politics and the Erie County Legislature wisely voted to attach a prevailing wage requirement to non-profit construction projects on Friday, July 24, during a special legislative session. These requirements ensure that economic development dollars are spent in a way that creates quality jobs for local residents.

The common sense reform measures introduced by members of the legislature are a welcome step toward comprehensive statewide economic development reform.

County Executive Collins is refusing to accept the action taken by the legislative body and claims he will continue to pressure lawmakers until he succeeds at eliminating the prevailing rate requirement.

If you would like to tell your County Legislators and Chris Collins that Erie County voters support Quality Jobs in WNY, you can Take Action RIGHT NOW!

What's At Stake?
...

In 2006 legislation was introduced in Albany to bring about comprehensive reform on New York's over 115 Industrial Development Agencies.

Industrial Development Agencies were created in the late 1960's to encourage the retention and growth of industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, and commercial industries.

Essentially IDAs were charged with retaining and creating jobs by offering property and sales tax breaks to business. IDAs were also empowered to offer tax-exempt financing.

However, IDAs have failed to live up to their mission. They have not created quality jobs in our communities but have squandered precious tax dollars on projects that: would have proceeded without tax breaks; have failed to create any jobs; or pirated jobs from another neighboring community. All too often, well connected developers have received tax breaks with few questions asked and little is done when businesses fail to live up to the promises they make.

We need reform to ensure that we're getting our money's worth. By introducing business standards, accountability measures, and transparency reforms, IDAs could become the strategic investment vehicles they were originally intended to be, and with stimulus money on the way, they could create the good jobs we need now.

Despite the recent mess in Albany, this package of reforms has been advancing. Our New York State Coalition - The Initiative for Development Accountability is hopeful that at its special session this fall, the New York State Legislature will act to pass comprehensive IDA reform.

Why is this important to understand? Because the recent action of Erie County Executive Chris Collins and the Erie County IDA was motivated by a desire to escape the common sense and much needed reforms being proposed in Albany.

For the time being we have defeated the County Executive's attempted end-run around statewide reform, but, as state reform moves forward, Collins will continue to search for loop holes. And, other counties throughout upstate are following his lead.

To learn more about the NYS Initiative for Development Accountability or the Coalition for Economic Justice please call 716.892.5877.

Tipped Off!

It's 1991. Congress just granted authorization to the US to use military force to liberate Kuwait, the Dow Jones Industrial Average saw moments above 3,000 for the first time ever, Michael Landon dies, George Sr. occupied the White House, and tipped service workers made $2.13 an hour.

Fast forward to 2009. We elect our first black president, Walter Cronkite passed away, news reports talk of American's first and second currently active wars, public money is thrown at banks to correct their greediness, and tipped service workers make $2.13 an hour.

Today celebrates the third installment of the increase in the federal minimum wage. After decades of offering themselves gracious salary increases that kept up with the rate of inflation, finally decided to substantially increase the federal minimum wage. While it's a moment to celebrate, there are two important things to remember.

1.) INFLATION!! The American dollar is worth less....real wages have actually been decreasing.

2.) Tipped workers are going to see no raise whatsoever. They will be left to struggle and rely entirely on the generosity and socially prescribed gray laws of tipping. Generally a tipped worker walks out the door with on average $8.23 an hour-wage + tips.

Quick Math-what does this mean in annual dollars, assuming the individual works 40 hours a week AND all 52 weeks of the year (which is unlikely), these individuals would make a little over $17,000. Federal Poverty line for a family of 4 is $22,050. Tipped workers are overwhelmingly women, women supporting families. The $2.13 in real terms has dropped 36% since 1991. Dry facts.

So what?

Well, shouldn't Congress raise the minimum wage for tipped workers too? Isn't this just another method of subsidizing business? The Hotel and Restaurant business is projected to be the the 12th fastest growing industry between 2006 and 2016. Pay for these workers is erratic and based on the economic stability of their customers.

While the employer is supposed to fill in the gap between hourly wage and minimum wage, if the employee does not reach minimum wage, there are absolutely ways for the employer to abuse the system and not actually pay what is federally mandated. The system is easily exploited and typically benefits the employer. Due to these abuses, it is estimated that the American Hotel and Motel Administration saves about $1 million dollars a day.

This is a good day. Minimum wage workers will see a difference in their pay check, they will spend money, bolster the economy. However, we cannot forget that some of the workers that on a daily basis improve and directly effect our quality of life, will not see a cent.


For more information on this subject, please the National Employment Law Project report "Restoring the Minimum Wage for America's Tipped Workers."

Strike for Justice!

Our annual Strike for Justice is quickly approaching! This fun filled evening has brought together our members in a relaxed, sometimes competitive, environment for the past several years and we are excited for yet another year of great prizes, mediocre, average, and spectacular bowlers and the opportunity to just enjoy the change makers of WNY.

To sign up your team, please call our office at 716.892.5877.

Saturday, August 8th
7pm-10pm
Kenmore Lanes, 1691 Kenmore Avenue

Question 15

"The Buffalo News reported that the drop out rate in the Buffalo Public Schools was worse than when the The Superintendent and the Board were elected. How do you justify this, and what will you do to correct this outrage. And how did those incumbents allow this to happen?"

Question 14

"Why should we vote for any of the incumbent board members? They have demonstrated lack of leadership.For example,
-No new contract with the teachers
-No significant improvement in graduation rate
-Non-conforming to Contract for Excellence"

Question 13

"What would you say to opponents of the living wage to persuade them to support it?"

Question 12

"More school age children (especially males) [are] on street corners than in class-talked to some, they say it's easy to get 2 months off, just get suspended. There's no accountability, do wrong, get time off to do whatever. What's your plan?"

Question 11

"What would you do in the classroom through after school programs to educate black children better-to increase vocabularies, learning, test scores, graduation rates?"

Question 10

"Why can't we eliminate most administrators, i.e., principals?"

Question 9

"Recent Buffalo News articles have brought light to the board for meeting expenditures and travel plans to conferences. Why do we need to send more than 2 people?"

Question 8

"When will we make all high schools college prep? Further, why have program such as da Vinci off a college campus?"

Question 7

"Should we have attendance officers? Truancy is a huge problem. If you're not there, you don't learn."

Question 7

"Does the Bison Scholarship Fund assist the best students in leaving in the Buffalo Public School System? Doesn't this rob the system of the best and brightest students and the most motivated parents?"

Question 6

"Do you know the difference between the communities in school initiative and school centered community revitalization? Outline the differences."

Question 5

"Given the importance of peers for educational outcomes, what can the Buffalo Board of Education do to counter the segregation that concentrates poor students together?"

Question 4

"Name 3 positive things currently occurring in the Buffalo Public School District and in conjunction with that, what facets of the 3 year plan are you ready to support and enhance?"

Question 3

"What or who is the group "Buffalo Students First" which recently mailed a flyer for [the] Collins-Jacobs-Johnson slate?"

Question 2

This question is addressed to all candidates.

"How will the board deal with bringing about a sound system that would impact the high rate of school suspension?"

Question 1

This Question was addressed to Dr. Collins and Mr. Jacobs, however, all candidates should feel free to respond.

"The reading ability of inner city students i said to be low-Why do you suppose such [situation] exists, and what are you doing to change this?"

"So, since you prepared the 3 year academic plan-What is in it for reading?"

Candidates Forum

Last night we hosted a candidates forum to allow for a healthy exchange of community questions and responses from the candidates running for the 3 At-Large seats for the Board of Education. We had several questions that went unanswered due to limited time, so we are posting the questions here, with the hope that candidates will take the time to respond.

There are approximately 15 questions that we were unable to get to last night, so over the course of the next few days, we will post 5 a day.

We would like to thank all of the passionate community leaders who attended last nights forum, as well as all of the candidates. The list of candidates in attendance is as follows; Catherine Collins, Patricia Devis, Rosalind Hampton, Chris Jacobs, John Licata, Bryon McIntyre, and Fred Yellen.

The Movement-A Dance Party for the People

This past Saturday night, CEJ helped throw a tremendous Dance Party at Soundlab! The Movement, a quarterly fundraiser Dance Party for the Partnership for the Public Good, brought out a huge crowd, close to 200 people over the course of the evening. And more importantly, The Movement got people dancing and moving!

Thank you to all who danced, donated, performed, and promoted. The night was a great success. We look forward to seeing everyone again in late summer for the Movement 4!

For more information on the Partnership for the Public Good, please see their wiki site-http://ppg-buffalo.wikispaces.com/

School Board passes Living Wage Policy

Below is the Press Release from last week. It should be noted that raising the wage floor for low wage jobs is a pathway not only out of immediate poverty for those affected, but also a solid mechanism for addressing the economic crisis. This courageous step taken by the Buffalo School District, demonstrates their understanding of the intersections of poverty and education as well as establishes a comprehensive and new way of developing sound, safe, and sustainable communities for our children to learn and grow.


The Buffalo School Board, with unanimous support, passed a Living Wage Policy for the school district last night, March 25th, 2009.This policy will ensure that all district employees earn a wage in accordance to the City of Buffalo Living Wage Ordinance.

The district will make a series of incremental pay increase to employees currently earning less than a Living Wage, in order to meet full compliance with the policy no later than FY 2011/2012.

The policy, as it stands, is for direct district employees. Employees to be initially effected by the wage increase are the Transportation Aids and the Food Service Workers, which prior to the implementation of this policy earn on average $8.40 with no benefits.

By adopting a policy that mirrors the City of Buffalo Living Wage Ordinance, the district will be doing its part to improve conditions for its workers and curb poverty within the city. By taking a stand to live by the boards mantra, “Putting Children and Families First, to Ensure Academic Excellence for All,” the district has acted with the understanding that there is a direct correlation between poverty and the quality of our neighborhoods and schools.

“I don’t have to tell anyone, that poverty has the potential to undermine every positive thing we do for our children and our communities,” said Joan Malone, a leader from the Coalition for Economic Justice. “Paying good wages for valued work helps alleviate the consistent strain and anxiety that poverty produces. The adoption of a Living Wage Policy means the restoration of dignity for workers.”

Esther Macklin, a Food Service worker with the School District, spoke to the packed Board of Education office. “I love my job. I wake up every morning with a smile on my face because I know that I am doing something for our children. I give them the sustenance they require to learn every day. It hurts me that we aren’t appreciated and that we are paid poverty wages.”

At about 9pm, after significant debate and compromise, the Board finally voted on a policy that will directly impact the economic situation of close to 1,000 workers.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a long time,” said Betty Martin, the President of the Transportation Aides of Buffalo. “I’ve been here since the beginning, for close to 2 years, encouraging the Board of Education to pass this. We are really happy the Board finally decided to do the right thing."

Fix the Economy, NOW!

Fix the Economy, Now!

Layoffs, home foreclosures, stagnating wages, benefit cuts, bankruptcies, vanishing retirement security and more, OH MY. We are facing the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. Jobs with Justice and other groups have been mobilizing to demand strong, immediate action to create jobs and restructure our economy to work for everyone, not only the people at the top.

President Obama and Congressional leaders are developing a recovery and reinvestment plan that addresses immediate economic needs, creates jobs and invests in the infrastructure America needs for recovery. It will also invest in America's families and America's workforce by ensuring that states can fund the services they depend on, including health care, public safety and education.

We have already seen and heard much regarding the Patterson’s proposed budget cuts to education and we already know what devastating affects these cuts will have on a city like Buffalo. The depletion of State funding stream to Buffalo has and will continue to cut essential programming, hurt our already floundering public schools, and inevitably grow the already staggering 7.2% unemployment rate. We are hit hardest in Buffalo, a city already deep in it’s own depression, and we need a Plan that prioritizes the People

This plan will not fix all our problems and is not the end of the campaign, but it is an essential immediate step that will create jobs and invest in renewable energy, energy efficiency, transportation, schools and health care.

While some progressive economists believe this plan will not be big enough or bold enough to stem the crisis, conservatives in Congress are trying to block the plan, apparently copying the Herbert Hoover strategy of responding to crisis by doing less, rather than more. Some Republicans have argued for more CEO tax breaks, rather than funding for unemployment insurance or food programs for hungry children.

Don't let them block the first step towards recovery. Don't let Congress sit idly by while millions more Americans lose their jobs and homes.

Already the politics of Congressional negotiations have plagued the Recovery and Reinvestment Plan. We need a strong economic stimulus package, and caving to narrow special interests is a surefire way to stall the process and prolong the passage of a much needed plan!

Late last week the House Appropriations Committee approved an amendment in the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009" that would require all businesses and public private entities that contract to receive money from the stimulus package to use E-Verify, the flawed federal program that is riddled with error and has been documented to promote workplace discrimination.

The E-Verify provision in the stimulus will:

• Harm workers who are either falsely denied work or are targeted by employers abusing the E-verify program;
• Create substantial new burdens for businesses, especially small businesses, at precisely the wrong time;
• Send the wrong signal to new voters that the Congress prefers to play politics by enacting symbolic and ineffective immigration "enforcement" measures over serious and effective economic stimulus or serious immigration reform.

Please call your Congressional Representatives and tell them you SUPPORT a Stimulus package for the rest of us, for all of us!

Partnership for the Public Good

One of CEJ's core values is Coalition Building. Parallel to that and just as valuable is community based economic development. A few years ago, as part of a state effort to develop regional economic development plans, CEJ in bringing together over 20 organizations to vision a revitalized Buffalo. This initial meeting was the birthplace for the Partnership for the Public Good, a project of CEJ.

The Partnership for the Public Good's (PPG) premise is that Buffalo does not need to start from scratch in seeking revitalization and it does not need to chase silver bullets or throw itself on the mercy of big business. Rather , we need to patiently cultivate assets such as our highly skilled workforce, many universities, historic architecture, location near the border, waterfront, cultural diversity, locally owned, independent business, active non-profit community, and rich hostory. The deep and broad collaboration was launched to promote a community-orientsed vision of reitalized BUffalo. PPG is a thing-and-do tank that will perform research and advocacy and will support the efforts of the broad array of organizations working to breath new life into Buffalo.

Last year, PPG crafted a 10 point platform that over 30 organizations endorsed. The platform encopassed city, county, and state legislative issues ranging from housing and vacancy, living wage expansion, good government reform and investments in our arts and culture.

Just recently, the PPG developed a 2009 platform. Representatives from 30 different organizations participated in crafting this document and already organizations are endorsing the plaform to demonstrate public support.

To find the full list of 2009 priorities and more information on the Partnership please refer to the wiki site.

2009 Living Wage

The Living Wage, based on the annual Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA), is as of January 1st, 2009, at $10.31 an hour for employees with health benefits and $11.57 for those without. Currently, the Living Wage in the city of Buffalo applies to all city employees and employees of companies that contract with the City, due to a law passed over 10 years ago through City Hall. CEJ fought long and hard to see the law upheld and in 2007 pressured public representatives to not only enforce their own policy, but to amend the law to include the COLA.

The New Year, including the impending "Greatest Depression," offers an opportunity to reflect on the need for innovative initiatives to stimulate the economy and protect ALL Americans, not just the obscenely wealthy. We have seen what an unregulated Market can offer, economic chaos and social devastation. The bailout of Wall Street and the "Big 3" Automotive Manufactures are too recent to see fully the ripple effect of those "stimulus" packages, however, it's not too recent to watch CEO's walk away from their failed financial institutions with tax payers money and the freedom of immense wealth. The Wall Street bailout or stimulus package were intended to, oddly enough, stimulate, boost, breath new life into the economy, and instead were pumped back into the pockets of the very same individuals who created the mess to begin with, and back to individuals who are more likely to save or invest their money then SPEND their money.

Living Wages. Even as we watch Wall Street burn, their still exists severe reservations and criticism regarding alternative stimulus options. It's a fairly simple argument; Pay low-wage workers more than a minimum wage. Low-wage earners are more likely to spend their money locally, boosting Main Streets everywhere. The fear is that Living Wages will destroy jobs, but their is no proof of this. Researchers have returned to Baltimore, Maryland, the first city to enact a living wage law back in the early '90's and have shown that job loss due to Living Wages is statistically negligible.

Truly beyond any economic argument, is the moral argument. It seems in direct defiance of all faiths to employ individuals at wage levels that KEEP them in POVERTY. We are a Country that places defines self worth by employment and material wealth, and yet, our policy makers, our public representatives are more than willing to veto legislation that would allow those who work to make livable wages. This is truly about what is fair and just for all, not just the few. It's unclear whatever happened to inalienable rights.


For basic facts on Living Wages, please see the fact sheet created by the Economic Policy Institute.