CEJ Invites You!

Erie County has new leadership. The Occupy movement is bringing renewed hope to CEJ and lots of other community and labor allies. We're poised to bring about an economy that works for the many. Come celebrate our successes and help raise some funds to support the launch of CEJ's 2012 agenda for Equitable Development, Corporate Accountability, Good Jobs and Workers' Rights!

December 8th
6:00 - 9:00 P.M.

At the home of:
Dick and Liz Lipsitz
20 Huntington Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14214

New County - $100
New Day - $50
Suggested Donation: $35

To RSVP or make a donation, please call the Coalition for Economic Justice at 716-892-5877 or donate online here!

Though this letter was sent last week - we decided to post it because it describes what the Fight for a Fair Economy Coalition is working on in NY State, and where this fits into the national context. Definitely worth a read!



November 23rd, 2011

To our Western New York Delegation:

Tomorrow, November 23rd, the congressional “Super Committee” will announce their decision as to how the federal government will decrease our national debt by $1.2 trillion.

Simply put, the best way to reduce the deficit, is to put an end to irresponsible tax cuts to the nations wealthiest. By ignoring this obvious fact, the Super-Committee proved that it feels more responsibility to 1% of the nation, as opposed to the 99%.

Our government has an opportunity in the coming months to demonstrate good government and sound judgment by extending the “Millionaires Tax.” If action is not taken, New York State stands to lose $5 Billion in the upcoming fiscal year. This would prevent more job lose, shift the tremendous burden from those earning the least to those earning the most, and would ensure we continue to receive the quality services New York State has to offer.

The timing is appropriate, as it’s the day before Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving means many things to many people, but at its core it is about celebrating the cornucopia of the fall harvest and the coming together of family and friends to share in this celebration. This Thanksgiving will look and feel extremely different for thousands of families and individuals who are unable to afford their heat or electricity, let alone a large feast.

Unemployment stands at over 9% nationally and just under 8% locally. Thousands of people have lost their jobs throughout NY State in the past year. Increased unemployment, a harsh winter around the corner, cuts in social services and yet the current Super Committee proposal leaves Bush Era tax cuts to the super wealthy untouched, and insists upon a tax reduction for the wealthy. How is this even possible?

The Fight for a Fair Economy Coalition partners recognize the need to reduce the deficit, but there are healthier and more equitable ways than cutting programs many people rely on. Here in New York State, our elected officials stand poised to actively allow for the end of a critical revenue source, the aptly termed “millionaire’s tax.” Even though HEAP and other services have been defunded, which has affected the basic rights and dignity of NY State residents, the Governor has declared that the millionaire’s tax will sunset and in effect, we will lose over an additional $4 billion dollars in revenue in the upcoming fiscal year. The ability to offset the economic instability of the country is to ensure everyone pays their fair share. We can continue to enforce that here in NY State through the extension of the millionaire’s tax.

As elected representatives of New York State, we implore you to do the right thing. The right thing is not complicated. There is a proven source of revenue based on a more equitable system of taxation that is proportional to income. It means that we are all equally investing in our communities, our neighborhoods, our hospitals, our police, our streets, our parks, and the services that we require and rely on to make New York State a safe place to live, work, play and raise a family.

Do not let the “anti-poor,” “anti-working families,” and “pro-business” mentality of the Super Committee affect how we do business here in New York State. Cutting social spending and decreasing critical access to services is not the way to re-energize an economy and does not demonstrate that we truly value the need for opportunities to be open to all, that health care is a human right, or that work and dignity are fundamental to the fabric of our country.

Equitable taxation is a key pillar to jump starting our economy. Extending the millionaire’s tax is pivotal to New York State’s prosperity. The revenue produced by equitable taxation has tremendous economic multiplier effects-provision of social services, job creation, job retention, it would give people opportunities to work, to pay taxes, and to ensure that the economy remains stable through new revenue streams and smart public expenditures.

Sincerely,
Fight for a Fair Economy Coalition

Good Jobs Not Giveaways Video!

On November 10, 2011 the Coalition for Economic Justice held a teach in with Occupy Buffalo. Members of Occupy were shocked to hear about how some of our tax dollars are being used in the name of industrial development.

After the teach in, we traveled across town to see a Lexus dealership that was subsidized to move across the street (see previous blog for details).

To watch some of the highlights from this event, check out our youtube video.

CEJ and Occupy Buffalo demand good jobs not giveaways

CEJ took to the streets of Amherst this week with Occupy Buffalo and our community and labor partners to demand that New York’s Industrial Development Agencies stop giving handouts to the 1% and start using public money for the public good. Sheridan Drive was the scene of a raucous protest on Thursday afternoon, as we gathered in front of Northtown Lexus with our demand that corporate subsidies deliver good jobs and shared community benefits.

The rally was one of several Getting Our Money’s Worth coordinated actions that happened throughout the state calling for economic development reform. Prior to the rally, we held a teach-in on the impact of economic development subsidies with Occupy Buffalo activists in Niagara Square.

In May 2010, Northtown Automotive Cos. received a large subsidy of $536,000 from the Amherst IDA to move its Lexus dealership from 3930 Sheridan Drive across the street to 3845 Sheridan Drive in Amherst. Despite guidelines for IDAs in Erie County making auto dealership ineligible for tax breaks, the Amherst IDA granted $245,000 in sales tax breaks, $213,968 in property tax breaks, and $77,000 in mortgage tax breaks.

As Allison Duwe, CEJ executive director, said: “The Amherst IDA, along with IDAs in Western New York and across New York State, consistently hand out tax breaks to companies that don’t promote real economic growth. All Erie County residents are impacted by this deal because the IDA gave this Lexus dealership a break on its county property taxes. We’re not opposed to subsidies if they support companies that are helping to build a better future but this deal is ludicrous.”

To illustrate how ludicrous the deal is, we performed a short skit with Eric Gallion, who played a “billionaire” and interrupted our press conference by defending the Amherst IDA. “My friends at the Amherst IDA gave this luxury auto dealership a half million dollars and change in tax breaks to move their showroom across the street,” Gallion joked. “So this subsidy decreases the property and sales taxes for the dealership, and increases the tax burden on everyone else in Erie County. What’s wrong with that? No business should have to foot its own bill when it wants to move across the street. Naturally the public should pay for that.”

In all seriousness, this isn’t the only time that IDAs have given out tax breaks like this. According to our new report co-authored with ALIGN (Alliance for a Greater New York), Regional Review: Job Creation and New York’s Industrial Development Agencies, many IDAs across the state do not require job creation or job retention in order for a business to receive a tax break. This means that there is no way to ensure a tax break will benefit the overall community and not just the 1%.

Additionally, IDA subsidies in Western New York advance disinvestment in urban areas. The city of Buffalo, with 30% of the county population, had only 17% of the IDA tax-exempted properties in 2009. This is a trend that needs to change if we want to reduce sprawl and see more development in urban communities.

The 14 IDAs of Western New York financed 702 projects, giving away $48.5 million in net tax exemptions in 2009 alone. This money could have been used for much better purposes. With it we could have funded the education of over 2,600 students for one year or retrofit over 3,700 small businesses for energy efficiency, save millions of dollars in energy costs and employ nearly 800 workers in the construction industry.

This $48.5 million in next tax exemptions was supposedly going towards future job creation, but IDAs are failing to create the jobs that they promise. The IDA subsidized 59 projects that ended in 2009, only twelve of which, or 20%, met or exceeded their job creation or retention promises. Nine of these projects lost 1,772 jobs. Another 20% of these projects fell short of their job creation or retention promises by 1,300 jobs. The other 60% of these projects had no jobs created or never even promised to create or retain jobs.

New Yorkers are not getting their money’s worth from IDA investments. IDAs use taxpayer subsidies on development projects that fail to meet their job creation targets, create poverty-wage jobs without benefits, encourage sprawl and ultimately leave the community taking their jobs and our money. To move us in a new direction, IDAs and other economic development initiatives should adopt strong measures that result in concrete benefits for New Yorkers and build an economy with shared prosperity. We want to see development projects that create good jobs, pay family sustaining wages with benefits, promote a healthy and sustainable environment and commit to staying in New York.

Story of Broke

http://www.storyofstuff.org/movies-all/story-of-broke/

Great Video!

"The United States isn’t broke; we’re the richest country on the planet and a country in which the richest among us are doing exceptionally well. But the truth is, our economy is broken, producing more pollution, greenhouse gasses and garbage than any other country. In these and so many other ways, it just isn’t working. But rather than invest in something better, we continue to keep this ‘dinosaur economy’ on life support with hundreds of billions of dollars of our tax money. The Story of Broke calls for a shift in government spending toward investments in clean, green solutions—renewable energy, safer chemicals and materials, zero waste and more—that can deliver jobs AND a healthier environment. It’s time to rebuild the American Dream; but this time, let’s build it better. "

Buffalo Bank Transfer Day

"Remember, remember, the 5th of November!"

This Saturday (11/5), CEJ participated in Buffalo Bank Transfer Day - a coordinated day of action calling on individuals to move their money from big banks like Bank of America and Chase into local credit unions.

Since the call was made one month ago to have a nation-wide bank transfer day, around $4.5 Billion has been moved by 650,000 people into credit unions! As people said in this Buffalo News article,
the day was truly about the power of individuals to act and make their voices heard.

Buffalo First!, the lead organization behind Buffalo Bank Transfer Day, has this to say about why you should invest your money in your local credit union:

"Investing, lending and borrowing local are all part of a self-determined financial future for individuals and our community at large. We encourage the community to move its money to local credit unions, and to refinance loans and mortgages with credit unions as a means to keeping the community's wealth recirculating in the area. Buffalo First! is providing workshops and information sessions about how to move your money responsibly, and how to maximize your community impact."

The next workshop and informational session is November 17th at 7pm, at the Buffalo First! offices, 910 Main Street in Buffalo.

Also, if you have moved your money, they ask you to fill out this survey to tell your story!

Occupy Buffalo’s stand against big banking and their injustices

Written by CEJ intern Garrett from Canisius College

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

“Through rain, through snow, Occupy Buffalo,” was the chant heard on the march down Main Street today by upwards of 50 protestors marching to Bank of America through the rain and mud. Many of these activists have been occupying Niagara Square for the past two weeks, showing that they are tired of the way big banking is treating the 99%. The square is filled with tents and signs, showing these men and women don’t plan on leaving anytime soon. This group is using their democratic right to protest peacefully, and the movement is spreading with each protest they have.

As a volunteer for CEJ, I joined the Occupy Buffalo group for the first time today but was immediately shown camaraderie and treated as one of the group. I was offered a poncho, a sign and even some food before the march. We marched from Niagara Square to Bank of America and even rounded up a few more people for the group on our march. Once we arrived at the front of the Bank of America, a milk crate was put down and grievances were aired. Most of these grievances had to do with the bailout of large failing banks, which Bank of America received $45 billion in TARP bailouts.

One point that was aired on the “soap box” that hit home for me is that the regular employee of Bank of America makes $20,000 a year. This was called barely a living wage, and we at the CEJ are striving for living wages for all. The leaders of Bank of America gave themselves raises with bailout money, totaling in $4.4 billion, couldn’t they have given raises to the backbone of their corporation?

Not only is the bank not paying their workers enough, they are planning on cutting many of their employees. Companies like these should not be receiving tax breaks and bail outs. Bank of America has avoided to pay taxes with $953 million in tax rebates in 2010. “Too big to fail” doesn’t matter when workers aren’t being given a living wage or even a promise that they will have a job next year. The amount they are paying their workers for a normal work week is not full or fair employment and we should all be striving to achieve this in all work sectors.

Bank of America had four guards on hand for today’s rally that stood staring at the group from within the bank doors. The group made sure to follow any and all laws while participating in this protest and let it be known that this is a peaceful protest. It’s a protest of trying to get a message across to those who don’t see it or prefer to ignore it. These guards did not interfere with the protest, only kept one of the members of the protest from withdrawing his own money from the bank.

The one protestor entered the bank doors with his Bank of America card in hand but was immediately stopped by one of the guards. He let it be known that he is a customer and that he only wanted to withdraw some of his funds. The guard refused to let him past the main door, even though the man is a customer looking to withdraw some of his own money from his own account. That is not right and it takes groups like Occupy Buffalo to expose this sort of injustice alive in our world today.

The next step to encouraging a thriving Main Street is for people to withdraw all their funds from large banks on November 5^th at 10 AM. Moving money from big banks who have proven their allegiance to profit over people, to a credit union in Buffalo, will mean literally moving money from Wall Street, to the Main Street of Buffalo. These credit unions and other local banks invest in our community and they are worth our support.

Occupy Buffalo has many positive goals, but they need more support. The group is supposed to represent the 99% and until they gain a bigger population here in Buffalo, I doubt if much will be done. Things like the National Bank Transfer Day will help to hammer the point home, and it’s events like these that the group needs to stay organized. They are for the empowerment of the individual and they’re striving for economic justice by bringing their problems to those who are preventing it.

Membership Meeting Update

In case you couldn't make it, CEJ had an excellent membership meeting on Wednesday, October 26. Our thanks go out to our panel speakers, Albert Brown with Occupy Buffalo, and Cayden Mak with New York Students Rising and Chief Steward at the Graduate Student Employees Union CWA 1104. Speaking for ourselves, we left the meeting inspired and ready to continue making our voices heard as part of the 99%!

Sharing some of our notes from the meeting with you, we'd like to pass on a few key ways to support Occupy Buffalo that were identified at the meeting.

You can:

• -Get your organization to sign and send a letter of endorsement (The Interfaith Peace Network has drafted one that your organization can use as a template to endorse Occupy Buffalo. Contact Andy at andy@buffalojwj.org for a copy of the letter!)
• -Write letters to the editor in your newspaper, which will let City Hall know that the public supports Occupy Buffalo staying in Niagara Square.
• -Sponsor a day or evening with your organization in Niagara Square and come down - a great way to show solidarity, learn first-hand about the Occupy movement, and build relationships!
• -Join a working group. There are over 15 established working groups open for anyone to join including: Fundraising, Direct Action, Media, Outreach, Food, etc... Bring your skills to your movement!
• -Participate in a "Teach-In" - come down and hold an educational discussion at Niagara Square.
• -Invite Occupy Buffalo representatives to speak with members of your organization at your next meeting.
• - Donate: You can make a financial contribution to Occupy Buffalo through CEJ's "Heat Fund"or through the WNY Peace Center's "Witnessing Fund". You can also find a list of material items needed at www.occupybuffalo.org.

For a schedule of events or for more information, visit: www.occupybuffalo.org. To learn more about New York Students Rising and their support for the Occupy Movement, visit: http://nystudentsrising.org

In addition, a number of organizational leaders were on hand to give updates about upcoming events:

• Buffalo Bank Transfer Day: Nov. 5, 10:00 AM, march from HSBC Bank, 529 Elmwood Ave, and continue down Elmwood to Bank of America, 495 Elmwood Avenue. The march will continue toward downtown, ending at Niagara Square in solidarity with Occupy Buffalo.
• WNY Peace Center Annual Dinner, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Nov. 5. 5:30 PM (http://wnypeace.org/AnnualDinnerFolder/AnnualDinner.php)
• CBTU Buffalo Chapter Annual Awards Dinner, Buffalo Niagara Convention Center, Nov. 10, 6:00 – 10:00 PM
• CEJ: Teach In and Rally to demand subsidies deliver good jobs, 2:00 PM Teach In at Niagara Square, 3:30 Rally at Northtown Lexus, 3845 Sheridan Drive, Amherst
• PUSH Buffalo: Fuel the 99%: The Great Disconnect, Meet at Main and Mohawk, Nov. 16, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
• General Election, Nov. 8: Vote!
• Millionaire’s Tax Action: Working Families Party, Statewide day of action, Nov. 17

The next CEJ Membership Meeting (ANNUAL Meeting) will be on Wednesday January 18, 2012. It’s never too early to Save-the-Date!

FOIL Requests Training (10-18-11)

“I think it's incredibly important for the average citizen to understand what their rights and responsibilities are when it comes to information in this country. This workshop gave an overview of the fundamentals involved in making a FOIL-attempt, and peppered the somewhat dry information with vivid, personal experiences that have really mattered.” –Melissa Kondrak

“I thought the information discussed was very insightful, I think it might be worthwhile to maybe include someone with a different perspective like a lawyer who handles FOIL’s. There were a couple of times where I felt like a different perspective could have been helpful; a sense of what you might run into if you are going to FOIL an organization.”
Tysha Martin

Last Tuesday, the Coalition for Economic Justice facilitated a workshop entitled “Fun with Foil.” On hand, were seasoned “foilers” Geoff Kelly and Buck Quigley of the ArtVoice and Peter Reese Esq, a strong and active leader on open and transparent government.

The Freedom of Information Law or FOIL is a law that guarantees access to New York State agencies public records. The intent of this law is to make government more transparent and provide citizens with vital information regarding key decisions that affect their lives on a daily basis.

As with any law, enforcement is absolutely critical and if it’s left with monitoring and enforcement, it may not fully live up to its creator’s intentions. So goes the Freedom of Information Law. State Agencies can ignore your request or deny your request on procedural issues, or to stall a process. Often times unless individuals and organizations are willing and able to litigate, the information requested can and will be with held, which only reinforces the disconnect between citizens and their elected officials and public institutions.

Geoff, Buck and Pete’s combined experience provided participants with an exceptional history of the Freedom of Information Law, experienced based knowledge, procedural information and proper timeline, and concrete steps for how to draft a FOIL request.

The Coalition for Economic Justice has been using FOIL Requests to obtain information pertaining to the development of the waterfront in order to more fully understand the story of how the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation came to be, and how they were spending public money and on who. The information on contracts they had entered, board minute notes, helped weave a story which is still far from over. And as expected, there were several items that we requested that we were denied, despite our assertion that these are absolutely public.

It occurred to us and some of our coalition partners that drafting Foil Requests and the necessary follow up required a certain skill set that possibly needed cultivating. And through our own experiences, it became clear that to get what you needed meant asking the right questions. Drafting FOIL Requests is a type of art form. There’s some absurdity in this, that it’s necessary to go to such significant lengths to get information that is legally public, but it’s proof yet again, that our laws and government in some ways are not set up to protect the people it serves. This is just one small, yet critical tool in effecting change and demanding a more transparent, accessible, and accountable government. In other words, a government that truly acts on for and by the people.

Please stay tuned for the next workshop dates!!

For more information on the Freedom of Information Law, check out these resources-

http://www.ppgbuffalo.org/citizen-power/citizen-tool-kit/

http://www.dos.state.ny.us/coog/foil2.html