Capitol Pressroom Interview With Senate Democratic

Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins: 6/27/14

SA: Joining us with her thoughts on all of the above is the Leader of the mainstream Democrats,
State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Great to talk to you.

Leader: It is always wonderful to speak with you too.

SA: I have to ask. Were you part of the negotiating here? Were you told before Wednesdays
press release about the IDCs decision to realign? How did it go?

Leader: Well, it began with a conversation with Senator Klein and the Governor two weeks ago
regarding this new coalition. The conversation was about the IDC and mainstream Democrats
coming together. It was a conversation that I then continued with my conference afterwards. The
conversation continued about the session and how we have this unprecedented alliance of groups
and forces and people who wanted to see Democrats united, working together for the people of
New York. On the run up we continued to have some conversations, and yes, I did know prior to
the release of the statement. In fact, Senator Klein himself called me to talk about that, and here
we are. We will be meeting next week to continue the conversation. We will be meeting next
week to continue the conversation. We are in a good place in terms of the coalition, the people of
New York both Upstate and Downstate, and yes, Western New York. I think it will be a very
positive outcome for what has been a difficult scenario amongst Democrats.

SA: Alright, so, when you first broached the topic of the IDC rejoining with the mainstream
Democrats how did you conference react? Was it universally Oh joy! or not?

Leader: One of the things that I continue to say is that my conference is a conference of really
great people focused on serving the people of New York State, and we have proven that on and
on throughout the past two years and beyond that. We are talking about the two year period
where this other coalition existed. I think we have been very clear that we are about the issues.
We are about the people, and serving our folks. It looked like this would be the best way to look
at the things we want to do for New York, the progressive values that we have and moving those
forward, and really giving the voters back their franchise. They voted for a majority of
Democrats to govern the chamber and

SA: They did, and for the last two years the IDC group has enabled Republicans to control the
chamber, so there must be some hard feelings.

Leader: Sure, but people are here for the bigger picture. Those hard feelings existed. I would be
Pollyannaish to say that they didnt, but the point is that those hard feelings existed, and yet we
served, and yet we did the right thing for the people. We were part of that bipartisan effort to
move the economy, to create jobs, to try and strengthen New Yorks position. The biggest
obstacles were to the progressive things we wanted to see happen like ethics reform, campaign
finance reform, the Womens Equality Act, raising the minimum wage, the Dream Act, and yet
we still served. Those things happened; bad feelings were there, but the people of New York
took precedent. They will continue to take precedent, and of course, when we are in the majority,
those things will not change. Hopefully people will in general feel better about each other.
Within our Democratic conferences we can work collectively as Democrats.

SA: Lets talk about whether or not the Democrats controlling both houses is good or bad for
Upstate. Dean Skelos of the Republican Party says that thanks to the Working Families Party,
which influences the Democrats, we can see higher taxes and more regulation, two things that
Upstate does not need because the economy is still so sluggish. How do you respond to that?

Leader: Senator Skelos has always felt that Democrats should not be part of the Senate
leadership. There is always something that happens in order to keep Republicans in charge. It
seems like they are really afraid, and having this politics of fear doesnt help anyone. For 50 plus
years the Republicans have been in charge in the Senate and it hasnt helped Upstate all that
much. So give us this opportunity to continue the good work that the Governor and all of us
working to bolster all regions of New York State have been doing. That will continue. That will
not go away.

SA: I want to ask you about some specifics. In my view the key difference between Upstate and
Downstate is one of economic realities. What may work in the city because it is a strong
economic engine may not work in Upstate, NY. Im talking about things like the scaffold laws.
Upstate needs every advantage because it cant play on the same playing field, the same level as
the city. Is that something you would consider if you were in charge.

Leader: Of course. I mean first of all, Im not a New York City Senator. I am a Senator that is in
Westchester County and my district is extremely diverse. I have some of the poorest parts of
Yonkers, which is one of the biggest cities in the state. I have Scarsdale, which is arguably the
richest zip code in the country. So, I am not a New York City Senator. I am the first Leader that
has been outside of NYC in almost a hundred years. I am somebody who has always listened and
understood the different dynamics that galvanize growth in various places. It is how Ive been
able to work within my district. By the way, this coalition will have 11 senators outside of New
York. We will be working in corporation with the Governor & Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul. I
mean, people who understand how important these things are. Weve always listened. Weve
always been responsive and it is never going to be in our conference an Upstate vs. Downstate
battle because we know that New York is best when we celebrate the differences that are within
our state. We try to do the things that work best for the various localities and regions. So its not
an issue for us. Obviously, there are differences and we will certainly work with everyone to
make sure those differences are not exaggerated, but the benefits that derive from those
differences are realized.

SA: Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, when it comes to policy objectives, do you see yourself
completely aligning with the Working Family Party (WFP)? If not, where do they divert?

Leader: Again, Im not a part of the working families party. So I couldnt tell you what all of
their values but I know that they became concerned when our policy objectives that were
articulated by the IDC, by the Governor, by the mainstream Democrats and by the Assembly
were unable to be accomplished. Whether its ethics reform, raising minimum wage, womens
equality or campaign finance. All of these things were articulated by a majority of both houses
the legislator and the Governor and yet they couldnt be done. So I think that it is not about
aligning with the WFP or not. Its about the issues that everybody espoused yet were not being
accomplished or even moved forward in a meaningful way.

SA: Okay. Alright.

Leader: I Think that they decided, whats the stumbling blocks and its the Senate Republican
coalition. They (WFP) articulated the need for change. I think because the voters had voted for
Senate Democrats to be in charge anyway, it wasnt so hard to see why that was important to
happen.

SA: We have 2 more minutes. I have a couple more questions regarding primaries. Yesterday,
Senator Jeff Klein explained to us that there would be a litmus test of supporting the progressive
agenda when it comes to whether or not the IDC will support a primary against Senator Tim
Kennedy. What do you say to that?

Leader: I think that Senator Kennedy is an excellent senator and will certainly pass any litmus
test, in terms of progressive values. We all talking about people coming and being democrats and
working together and if thats the litmus test then Senator Kennedy has more than passed.

SA: Will the mainstream Democrats continue to support people like, Oliver Koppell, in
primaries against IDC members or is that dependant on them not deciding to primary any
mainstream Democrats?

Leader: This is day 2 of our coalition. I think that all these people in primaries have their own
decisions to make. We are continuing conversations. As I said before, Senator Klein and I will
meet next week. Again, we want to sit with people who want to make sure that we can work
together and move the state forward in all areas, including the progressive values that we espouse
as Democrats and I think that is the big litmus test. I think well see what happens.

SA: We have 30 seconds and it still doesnt sound like that there is a great deal of trust between
the mainstream democrats and the IDC. What does that (cant make out) for a productive
relationship?

Leader: I think that we trust the people. Anything short of that is frankly unacceptable. The
people asked for a democratic majority. They will again. I think that all the members of the
different conferences will be attuned to what the people of NYS need and want. Im sure the trust
will build as we continue to work towards those very important pieces that will make New York
continue to be the great state. Along with the Governor and our partners across the aisle who will
also be focused on the same issues. Im so that we will be able to build trust and we will not
disappoint the New Yorkers that sent us there and expect us to do the right things for them.

SA: Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on the possibilities on the IDC
conferences with them in January. It was a pleasure speaking with you.

Leader: Thank you so much, Susan.