Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7^th

Next Tuesday, New York will be electing a new governor for the first time in 12 years.  Over that time, we have seen the power that a governor can wield and the effects of that power on the lives of low-income New Yorkers. 

In addition to changes in Albany, it now appears that incumbents are in trouble in one or both houses of Congress.  The latest Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll, conducted in mid-October, reveals that voters’ approval of Congress has fallen to an abysmal 16 percent.

Opportunity for Change

This election could alter the political landscape of America.  Among other things, there would be a long awaited opportunity to initiate or correct many government policies that affect low-income African American and Latino New Yorkers.  There is a good possibility of significant changes in the composition of congressional committees, with representatives with interests in urban issues rising to the leadership of key committees.

The Community Service Society’s annual survey of low-income New Yorkers, The Unheard Third, continues to inform us of the importance of affordable housing in the city.  Our research has shown that such housing stock is shrinking fast.  A rejuvenated state government could address this in several ways.  

The new governor – whether Democrat or Republican - and the Legislature should find ways to preserve Mitchell-Lama housing.  Mitchell-Lama tenants have a median household income of $26,000, and two-thirds of its residents are Black and Latino.  The state also should reinstitute public housing operating subsidies – ended by Governor Pataki in 1998.  And a property tax break for renters would help low-income New Yorkers who often pay more than half their family income for rent.

Election could
alter politics

In the area of health care, nearly 30 percent of New Yorkers under age 65 are still without insurance.  The city and state should reach out to these people, getting as close to total participation as possible in public insurance programs.  They should also help those covered to link to a community health provider where they can get routine preventive health care, which promotes better health and cuts down on costs.

On the issue of education, the governor and Legislature have refused to comply with the Court of Appeals’ decision in the Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) case that New York City receive billions in state funding – monies that have been denied the city for decades.  The new governor should move as quickly as possible to secure these funds. 

Since the CFE case went to court, 13 years ago, an entire generation of our city’s school children has gone through an underfunded and dysfunctional public school system.  Or not – since the lawsuit was initiated, at least 224,000 students entering high school dropped out before graduation.  Many of them are jobless, disconnected to any framework that would provide them with a secure future.

Federal Funding

Many state and city programs depend on funding from Washington, a circumstance that has often been a problem.  The federal government has been trying to get out of funding affordable housing for years – cutting funds for Section 8 housing vouchers, forcing public housing authorities to raise their percentage of higher income residents.  And while Congress passed the No Child Left Behind education program, it has been continually underfunded.

Whoever wins on Tuesday be in position to affect legislation and funding in such areas as job training, consumer protection, housing policy, civil rights and voting rights, Social Security, and pension protection, among others.  In the recent past, many of these issues have been ignored or been damaged by government policies.  Their overall effects on the lives of low-income people are immense.

No effective changes in policies will occur, however, without a huge turnout of Election Day.  Regardless of the outcome, a large turnout on Tuesday from urban voters – especially voters from Black and Latino neighborhoods - will send a message that change is necessary.

There has been some concern in communities of color about whether their votes will be counted properly.  Some people believe that it no longer matters whether they vote or not.  So why bother?  This suspicion is understandable given the Florida fiasco in 2000 and the murky circumstances of the election in Ohio in 2004. 

Also, there have been numerous stories in the media lately of possible voter suppression in various states – all pointing to attempts to cut down on Black or Latino vote or turnout.  We must not allow these tactics to deter us from turning out in big numbers on Election Day.  Not to do so would only be playing into the hands of those who would deny people of color the vote altogether if they had the opportunity.      

Vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7th.  The polls in New York City will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.  If you don’t know the location of your polling place, call 212-868-3692.

From the New York Amsterdam News
November 2 - 8, 2006