Call on State Legislators to Support a State Budget that would help the City avert lay-offs

DC 37 Executive Director Lillian Roberts led several hundred members of DC 37 to Albany today to call on members of the State Legislature to support an agenda beneficial to New York's working families.

During a luncheon held by DC 37 at the Convention Center in Albany, members were addressed by State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Sliver, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Senate Minority Leader David Patterson. Ms. Roberts stated DC 37's support of the budget proposals put forth by Silver and Bruno.

Ms. Roberts said, "We are here to call on the members of the State Legislature to do the right thing for New York's working families. We support closing corporate tax loopholes and adding an income tax surcharge on the wealthy. Let those who can most afford it make the necessary financial sacrifice and not our members whose average salary is $29,000 a year and 85% of whom live in the city."

The DC 37 also lobbied for its legislative agenda which includes:

"The DC 37 legislative agenda reflects the needs of the city's hard working families who form the backbone of the city's diverse communities. We are here representing the civil servants who toil in areas such as the city's public hospitals, public schools, and day care centers. We want to make sure their concerns are addressed. Our civil servants make New York City great," added Ms. Roberts.