by Christopher Valdez
Legislative Gazette

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, outlined his platform during a news conference last week in Albany before submitting nominating petitions with 27,500 signatures to the state Board of Elections.

Hawkins was joined by his running mate for lieutenant governor, Gloria Mattera, along with U.S. Senate candidates Cecile Lawrence and Colia Clark. Julia Willebrand, the Green Party nominee for state comptroller was also present.

The Green Party presented its Green New Deal, a campaign platform that includes establishing a progressive income tax, increasing wages, ending the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, preventing hydraulic fracturing while investing in renewable energy, and implementing universal health programs and free public education.

"The Green New Deal will bring a change in the quality of life we deserve," said Mattera.

According to Hawkins, the progressive income tax would result in lower taxes for 95 percent of the state's population and end New York's "endless cycle of desperation and debt."

Clark focused on the education of young people, which she referred to as the "greatest national treasure." Clark presented a proposal to institute a free public university system she says would democratize education and protect national security.

Clark said a free education will encourage the entire community to take part in the education of youths, engage students in the learning process and provide the best teachers.

According to Clark, funding for the SUNY system could be financed if the nation instituted a 15 percent service tax on the industries that make weapons and defense technology.

Clark says defense is the nation's biggest expense with the federal government spending more than $77 billion on weapons over the last five years. In contrast, Clark says America only spent $5 billion on renewable energy in the same time span.

Hawkins supports Clark's proposal for a free public education, saying America has already proven it could be successful and pointing out that the country provided a free education to World War II veterans. Hawkins said every dollar spent on educating the veterans was returned to the national economy seven-fold.

Since the 1960s, Hawkins said he has helped organize movements for peace, labor, justice and environmental issues. As a former Marine, Hawkins helped organize opposition to the Vietnam War. He is employed at UPS where he unloads trailers, and is a member of the Teamsters Local 317, U.S. Labor Against the War and the Labor Campaign for Single Payer Healthcare.

Hawkins is also the co-founder of the anti-nuclear Clamshell Alliance in 1976 and the Green Party in 1984.

Hawkins joins the list of candidates seeking to occupy the governor's office that also includes Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republicans Rick Lazio and Carl Paladino who is also expected to appear on his own Taxpayer Party line whether or not he wins a Republican primary against Lazio.

Mattera, co-chairwoman of the party's campaign committee, is a health care worker who is active in the Medicare for All movement and has run for Brooklyn Borough president and New York City Council.

Lawrence, a resident of Apalachin, Tioga County, is among those seeking the U.S. Senate seat held by Democratic incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand .

Clark, a resident of Harlem, will be among those attempting to oust New York's senior U.S. senator, Democrat Charles Schumer. Clark is the former director of the Social Justice Center in Albany.

Willebrand is a retired teacher from Manhattan.

Hawkins has been nominated by the Green Party in a number of other races. He ran for mayor of Syracuse in 2005, U.S. Senate in 2006 and Syracuse Common Council in 2009.

If Hawkins, who resides in Syracuse, is able to acquire 50,000 votes during Nov. 2 general election, the Green Party will be able to regain its status as an official ballot access qualified party for four years.