For immediate release: August 7, 2018

Hawkins Opposes Proposed Board of Election Rules to Restrict Powers of Independent Enforcement Unit

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, said he opposed the efforts by the Republican and Democratic leaders of the state board of elections to reign in the powers of its independent enforcement unit, presently headed by Rita Sugarman.

“The major parties have used their control of the Board of Elections primarily as a patronage mill and as a weapon against maverick and independent political candidates. The Board has been toothless in reigning in corruption and voter suppression in our electoral system. While questions have been raised about the independence of Sugarman from Cuomo, the solution is not to increase the control of the State Board of Elections,” said Hawkins.

The Green Party has long argued that the constitutional requirement that the Board of Elections be operated by the two parties with the highest vote totals for Governor makes a mockery of the concept of democracy. “Having two foxes guard the hen house means the hens will be eaten,” noted Hawkins.

The Times Union noted State Attorney General Barbara Underwood's office has submitted comments opposing the new rules, as have five former members of the Moreland Commission, who in a report before its shuttering by Cuomo recommended the creation of the independent office to bulk up longstanding lackadaisical election law enforcement.

A recent N.Y. Post article identified illegal corporate contributions above the $5,000 state limit received by several statewide candidates, including Democrat Andrew Cuomo for Governor, Republican Marc Molinaro for Governor, Democrat Jumaane Williams for Lt. Governor, and Democrat Latisha James for Attorney General. NYPIRG’s Blair Horner, who was quoted in the article, said, “This law has been routinely violated. I don’t know of anyone punished for doing this.”

For immediate release: August 7 , 2018

Hawkins: Solve Uber / Transit Crisis with Congestion Pricing; Temporary Cap; Worker Cooperative for Ride-Sharing; Financial Relief for Taxi Drivers, Increased Funding for MTA

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, said New York needed to adopt outside-the-box solutions to its transit crisis. The City Council may vote this Wednesday to impose a temporary cap on ride-sharing services such as Uber.

“An effective transit system should be a key driver of the New York City economy. We need a Governor who is serious about fixing the subway system so they run on time with efficient service and affordable rates. We also need to address the congestion and pollution that grips much of Lower and Midtown Manhattan. And we need to provide a fair, living wage to taxi drivers and other for-hire ride services,” said Hawkins.

Hawkins noted that as the subway system deteriorates, more people are forced to turn to ride-sharing services, thus reducing revenues for the subways.

Hawkins says that while he supports a temporary cap on the number of ride-service drivers and cars, NYC needs more fundamental changes.

Hawkins, who has been endorsed by a number of socialist organizations, said the city should adopt a regulation limiting ride-sharing to worker cooperatives.

WATN AM (Watertown): August 6, 2018

Howie Hawkins on the HOTLINE Today

Mayor Graham's View: August 6, 2018

Three time Green candidate for Governor, Howie Hawkins outlined today what he feels will happen if as expected, Andrew Cuomo wins the Democratic primary against Cynthia Nixon, who occupies the WFP line.

Ithaca Times, August 6, 2018

By Nick Reynolds

Howie Hawkins – perennial candidate for any and every office worth running for, a long-time activist for numerous liberal causes, and the only noted socialist running for the state’s top post this year – simply wants more credit.

The Green Party’s three-time candidate for Governor of New York State says he has, in recent years, done more to promote the cause of socialism and green energy policies in New York State than any other candidate. Behind policy positions such as a complete shift to clean energy, guaranteed health care for all New York State residents, publicly-financed elections and statewide rent controls, Hawkins speaks of the status quo of New York State with disdain. He preaches the gospel of tax reform and conscientious spending coherently enough that – as a third-party candidate in 2014 – he managed to rally 5 percent of New York voters around the idea that socialism, when applied to the third-largest state in the union by total GDP, is a winning-model: a number significant enough that has led Hawkins to believe he’d pulled Cuomo to the left, in order to garner a share of the Green Party vote.

The Leader (Corning): August 5, 2018

Green Party candidate for New York governor Howie Hawkins talks about environmental policy Saturday at Watkins Glen State Park. [STEPHEN BORGNA/THE LEADER]

Hawkins, running for governor, eyes strong November results

By Stephen Borgna

[email protected]

WATKINS GLEN - Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is in the midst of his third campaign for New York governor. But he believes this time is his best chance yet.

Hawkins, who’s campaigning on a progressive platform headlined by policies regarding single-payer healthcare and clean energy, among others, says the crowded New York candidate field isn’t so crowded where he stands.

“It’s not crowded on the left, the progressive side,” said Hawkins.

Syracuse Post-Standard, August 4, 2018

The winner will face Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County executive, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins in the November general election.

Nixon may be the choice of the Democratic Socialists, but it's Hawkins who has the backing of the Socialist Party USA.

For immediate release: August 4, 2018

Opposes Effort to Convert Cayuga Coal Plant to Natural Gas
Supports Ban on Fracking Waste in Landfills

Watkins Glen - Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, called today for the Governor to reconvene the State Legislature to have them vote on the bill that would halt garbage incineration in the Finger Lakes. The Assembly Democrats refused to bring the bill up for a vote since they wanted to force the Senate Republicans to allow a vote to extend speed cameras at schools in New York City.

Hawkins also announced his opposition to converting one of the burners at the Cayuga coal plant to use natural gas, while calling for a ban on the landfilling of fracking waste.

Hawkins, a long time opponent of garbage incineration due to financial and environmental problems, has previously stated his opposition to the proposed Romulus garbage incinerator. More than half of all the waste landfilled in New York ends up in one of three landfills in the Finger Lakes.

NY State of Politics, August 3, 2018

The charge that Nixon is being a bit over-covered is one Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins has made publicly, pointing out that in 2014, he out-polled Cuomo on the Working Families Party ballot line that has now endorsed Nixon.

“Now the media is starstruck with actress Cynthia Nixon,” he said in a June email to supporters.

“As she challenges Gov. Cuomo in the Democratic primary with Working Families Party backing, the media give regular coverage to self-styled ‘progressive’ Democrats, which includes Cuomo as well as Nixon, Bill DeBlasio, Zephyr Teachout, and the rest of the WFP-endorsed Democrats.”

For immediate release: August 3, 2018

Statement of Howie Hawkins on DEC Rejection of Air Permit for CPV Plant

DEC’s decision to deny CPV its air permit renewal is good news. But the bad news is that after the election, Cuomo’s DEC could give CPV its permits upon re-application. This plant should never have been built. Not only did CPV bribe Joe Percoco to move the project along, not only do the gas and diesel emissions pollute the air, not only have residents already suffered respiratory problems from the test runs of the plant, but the plant would add 10% more to New York State’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Letting this plant go online makes going to 100% clean energy at least 10% harder.

For Immediate Release: August 3, 2018

Notice of News Conference

Date: Saturday, August 4, 2018
Location: South Pavilion in Watkins Glen State Park
Time: 12:00 PM
Who: Howie Hawkins for Governor

(Hawkins can be available for phone interviews, and in person interviews on Saturday)

Hawkins to Call on State Assembly to Pass Law to Stop Rommulus Incinerator
Opposes Effort to Convert Cayuga Coal Plant to Natural Gas; Supports Ban on Fracking Waste in Landfills

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidates for Governor, will hold a news conference on Saturday at noon in Watkins Glens to discuss his gubernatorial campaign and local environmental issues such as the Hakes landfill.

The news conference will take place at noon in the South Pavilion in Watkins Glens State Park. Hawkins will talk earlier in the day to a regional meeting of Green Party activists.