NOW-PAC News

Westchester NOW-PAC evaluated all the candidates running for state assembly and senate seats from our county again this fall, using an updated questionnaire reflecting current concerns. Candidates not only had to support our stance on our core issues but also legislation supporting the following, among others:

• Mandated paid family and medical leave

• The Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act

• The Fair Pay Act, which ensures women are paid the same as men for the same work/job performance

• An increase in the minimum wage

• The creation of a state-wide program of quality and adequate child care for families on public assistance

After receipt of completed questionnaires and subsequent conversations with some candidates to clarify responses, the PAC voted to endorse Nicholas Spano (SD 35), Ruth Hassell-Thompson (SD 36), Suzi Oppenheimer (SD 37), James Gary Pretlow (AD 87), Amy Paulin (AD 88), Adam Bradley (AD 89), Sandra Galef (AD 90), Noam Bramson (AD 91), Richard Brodsky (AD 92) and Michael Spano (AD 93). Special thanks go to Luba Fineson and Sylvia Eusebi for their efforts in helping to complete this project.

Our attention now turns to the next state legislative session, which will begin in January 2003. All interested members who would like to lobby for reproductive rights issues should consider attending the Family Planning Advocates Legislative Conference in Albany on January 27 and 28, 2003. Interested members should contact me at JonGWeg@aol.com.