OPEN LETTER TO NEW YORK STATE DEMOCRATS

February 28, 2011

Dear Fellow Democrats:

We are writing to express concerns about the direction of our party and our state.

As we all know, New York faces serious fiscal problems. We all understand that difficult
decisions must be made. As loyal Democrats, we believe that protecting children, seniors,
working families and our communities must always be a priority.

But the truth in Albany right now is that some of Governor Cuomo’s budget policies are neither
balanced nor well conceived:

The Governor would make deep cuts in education funding, by abandoning the Campaign for
Fiscal Equity case – the hard-won victory that is supposed to ensure fairness in the distribution of
school aid and give all children a sound basic education.

And furthermore, the Governor would slash health care spending, eliminating prescription drug
coverage for two thirds of our seniors through the EPIC program, a program which so many
seniors rely on.

At the same time the Governor is taking these and other drastic actions, he wants to give the
richest three percent of New Yorkers a massive tax break by allowing the expiration of the
“Millionaire’s Tax”, a tax that would generate $5 billion annually.

According to the Governor, this is what it means to be a “new Democrat.” According to the
Governor, this is the path to becoming “the most progressive state in the nation.”

If this is what it means to be a New Democrat, and if this is what it means to be progressive then
something is very wrong.

We cannot be silent on this matter – not when the Tea Party, the Conservative Party, Republicans
and a group of wealthy Wall Street executives are cheering the Governor’s policies.

Of course, as we want the new Governor to succeed, we also recognize our duty and obligation
to remember what our party has always stood for: fiscal responsibility, fairness, compassion and
vision.

We have a duty and responsibility to speak out now.

To us, the answer is simple. Were it not for the proposed tax break for millionaires – worth $5
billion annually – our fiscal problems would be much less severe. We would still need to reduce
spending, but we could lessen the severity of the cuts this year and even more so next year.
We ask that you join us in urging Governor Cuomo and our state lawmakers to extend the
existing millionaire’s tax as a way of avoiding drastic cuts to schools and health facilities.

It is imperative that we protect children and seniors, not millionaires.

Very truly yours,

Robert Jackson, Catherine Fahey,

New York City Council Member, 7th Ward,
Co-Chair, Albany Common Council
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Fernando Cabrera, Lea Webb,

New York City Council Member, Binghamton City Councilwoman
Co-Chair,
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Margaret Chin Jennifer Fuentes,

New York City Council Member, Alderwoman, 5th Ward,
Secretary, Kingston Common Council
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Melissa Mark-Viverito, Brad Lander,

New York City Council Member, New York City Council Member,
Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus Co-Chair, Progressive Caucus
Carrie Andrews, Leah Golby,
Monroe County Legislator, 21st District 10th Ward, Albany
(City of Rochester) Common Council

Dominick Calsolaro,
1st Ward, Albany Common Council

Connie L. Coker, John Hutchings,

Deputy Majority Leader, Broome County Legislature,
Rockland County Legislature District 5

Edward Collins, Letitia James,

Binghamton City Council, New York City Council Member
District 7
Anton Konev,
Richard Conti, 11th Ward,
President Pro Tempore, Albany Common Council
Council Member, 6th Ward,
Albany Common Council Charles Kramer,
Binghamton City Council President,
Henry Conyers, District 6
Deputy Mayor of the Village of
Hempstead Willie Joe Lightfoot,
Monroe County Legislator,
Inez E. Dickens, 27th District (City of Rochester)
New York City Council Member,
Assistant Deputy Majority Leader Carolyn McLaughlin,
Council President,
David Donaldson, Albany Common Council
Ulster County Legislator
Darlene Mealy
Mathieu Eugene New York City Council Member,
New York City Council Member, Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Michael O'Brien,
Julissa Ferreras, 12th Ward,
New York City Council Member, Albany Common Council
Queens
Annabel Palma,
Helen D. Foster, New York City Council Member,
New York City Council Member, Bronx
Bronx
Martha Robertson,
Pamela Goddard, Chair, Tompkins
Danby Town Clerk County Legislature
Tony Rosario,
Trustee of the Village of Hempstead

Deborah L. Rose
New York City Council Member
Treasurer
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

James Sano,
9th Ward,
Albany Common Council

Larry Seabrook
New York City Council Member,
Brooklyn

Barbara Smith,
5th Ward, Albany
Common Council

Demone Smith,
Buffalo Common Council

Joel Tyner,
Dutchess County Legislator

Robert Weslar,
Binghamton City Council
Majority Leader,
District 1

Shirley Whitlock,
Alderwoman, 4th Ward,
Kingston Common Council

Jumaane D. Williams,
New York City Councilman
Co-Vice Chair
Black, Latino and Asian Caucus

Susan Zimet,
Ulster County Legislator