Article Contributed by
Hawkins for Governor

I’m a retired Teamster from Syracuse and an organizer in movements for peace, justice, labor, and the environment since the 1960s. I’m the only progressive candidate for governor left on the ballot, the only candidate who will sign the NY Health Act for universal single-payer health care, the only candidate who will sign the NY Off Fossil Fuels Act for 100% clean energy by 2030, the only candidate who will fully fund Foundation Aid for public schools, and the only candidate who will tax the richest 1% – who receive 31% of all income in the state – in order to pay for infrastructure improvements, from 1,837 structurally-deficient bridges to building out a 100% clean energy system.

Our cities and towns cannot provide proper services because unfunded mandates and cuts to revenue sharing force local property taxpayers to balance the state budget on their backs. We need an alternative to Cuomo’s trickle-down tax breaks, subsidies, contracts, and regulatory favors to wealthy pay-to-play campaign donors. I propose a Green New Deal for New York to revitalize public services and infrastructure. That will create 100,000s of good jobs, purchasing power will rise, and private businesses will expand and hire to meet the increased demand.