October 30, 2014

Register-Star: Green Party candidate for Governor makes stop in Hudson

Noting recent reports that New York is the most segregated state in the nation, gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins advocated a different approach to public housing in a brief speech to a small crowd of local residents at Swallow Coffee, 433 Warren St., Hudson, Wednesday afternoon.

The Green Party’s candidate for governor of New York, on a quick stop in Hudson, was describing the five points in the party’s platform, the Green New Deal.

Hawkins, from Syracuse, an organizer in movements for peace, justice, labor, and the environment since 1967, said he has been polling at 9 percent. If he can stay at that level on election night, he said, the Green Party will do better than any independent party has ever done in New York.

 

October 27, 2014

Socialist Worker: The Working Families Party charade unravels

Hawkins is currently polling at 9 percent, which is unprecedented for a progressive third-party candidate in New York. If that holds up, the Green Party will catapult over the Working Families Party and the Conservative Party to "Row C" on the ballot behind only the Democrats and Republicans.

There's a real chance that the Green Party could come out of this election as the only credible alternative to the Democrats. That's already true in places like Syracuse. With a powerful vote in New York City, the Green Party could become a real force there as well.

The Greens are starting to give a political voice to many movement activists who are growing sicker of the fake two-party system every day. These activists come from the environmental movement, the rank and file of the unions, the movement for criminal justice reform and many other disparate progressive causes. Until now, they've mostly gritted their teeth and voted for Democrats--or not voted at all.

The challenge for the Green Party after the election will be to make itself a party and a political representative for this growing grouping of left activists. It may not be an easy task, but it couldn't be more important for the future of the people of New York.

 

October 25, 2014

Albany Times Union: Editorial: For New York Governor: Andrew Cuomo

Howie Hawkins, though ill-equipped for political leadership, has waged a respectable race promoting the Green Party's themes of environmentalism and social justice. Mr. Cuomo and lawmakers should look at his ideas — his Green New Deal plan to boost employment through sustainable energy jobs; to raise the minimum wage; to develop an even more progressive tax system; and to promote a statewide, single payer health care program.

 

October 24, 2014

City & State: Winners and Losers, 10/24/14

Howie Hawkins - If the Green Party can stomach anyone being called a leader, that leader would be Howie Hawkins. Four years ago, when Hawkins first ran for governor, he garnered enough votes to pass the 50,000-vote threshold and put the Green Party on the ballot. And during Wednesday’s gubernatorial debate, he came across as a serious, articulate possibility. The Green Party has a long way to go before it becomes a plausible third party, but Hawkins has taken it farther than it has ever gone before, with some polls showing him with more than nine percent of the vote. He’s even started airing a TV spot.

WRNN-TV, Fios1/Verizon, New York City Metro: Richard French Live

10 minute Howie Hawkins interview.

 

October 23, 2014

Corrente: Howie Hawkins in NY gubernatorial TV debate

Video: Howie Hawkins segments of the debate.

Capital Tonight Morning Memo: Hawkins, Following Debate, Has TV Ad

Following his appearance in the only scheduled debate in the race for governor, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is hitting the airwaves. The ad, called "A Real Choice" will air in the major upstate TV markets on Time Warner Cable News and MSNBC. The 30-second commercial calls attention to his support for a ban on hydrofracking, a $15 minimum wage and single-payer health care.

"You have a choice on Nov. 4," the ad reminds viewers. And there's a swipe at Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino as well. "A man who is not part of a political dynasty or funded by corporations or the 1 percent," the ad's narrator says.

The spot comes as a Siena College poll released this week found Hawkins polling at 9 percent, potentially cutting in to Cuomo's final vote total next month.

Salon.com: Andrew Cuomo uses “I’m not a scientist” line as cop-out on fracking

And as Cuomo’s opponent, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, pointed out, he hasn’t exactly been leaving the science to the scientists. A recent report from Capital New Yorkfound that the Cuomo administration had been interfering with politically inconvenient research, providing “unusually extensive feedback” to U.S. Geological Survey scientists that, while not substantially changing any findings, did appear to soften their implications.

“Mr. Cuomo says he’s waiting for the science but when some science came back from the U.S. Geological Survey, his administration wanted to change the results,” Hawkins argued. “They suggested edits and delays. So what is it?”

In These Times: Nervous, Cuomo? Green Party's Howie Hawkins Draws 6 Teachers Union Endorsements

New York’s incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo may be the poster child for the Democratic Party’s rightward shift in recent years. After much handwringing among progressives in the state about his campaign for reelection and Cuomo’s effectivelyneutralizing the Working Families Party, those who can’t stomach voting for the incumbent governor seem to have been left with one choice: voting for the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins….

Hawkins and his running mate Brian Jones seem to have struck a chord with teachers with their platform of “Quality Education for All.” It includes fully funding public schools; fully funding pre-k and kindergarten programs with certified union teachers; teacher evaluations based on collaboration; free tuition to CUNY, SUNY, and community colleges; and opting out of Race to the Top….

Last night, during the race’s only debate, Hawkins continued to push for teachers and public schools over Common Core and charters. “I want local parents, teachers, and school boards to make the decisions about curriculum and assessment. They know what the kids need. They’re the ones that care the most about those kids,” he said.

Syracuse Post-Standard: NY gov race: Howie Hawkins launches TV ad in Upstate markets

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins today launched a television ad on Upstate cable news channels a day after participating in the only gubernatorial debates. The ad says Hawkins offers a "real choice," including a higher minimum wage and a single-payer health care system.

Bloomberg News: Cuomo Tangles With Astorino in Debate on Taxes, Abortion

The tension between the two during the back-and-forth in Buffalo late yesterday didn’t go unnoticed by Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott, who laid out their platforms while Cuomo and Astorino spent little time answering questions to focus on attacking each other.

“I wish this was the first of several debates,” Hawkins said in closing. “We barely touched on the issues.”

New York Public Radio: Debate Focuses on Corruption, Fracking, Housing Discrimination Charges

The Green Party’s Hawkins says he would restart the Moreland Commission and start new corruption probes.

On fracking, Libertarian McDermott opposes it, until he says, it can be proven safe. Green Party candidate Hawkins, says if he were governor, fracking would not happen.

“We should ban fracking because it’s danger to the climate,” Hawkins said. “And it does pollute the water and the land. We already know that from what we’ve seen in Pennsylvania and around the country.”

Hawkins accused Governor Cuomo’s Administration of  editing and delaying a US Geological Study that drew some politically inconvenient conclusions for Cuomo….

Candidates were also asked whether they would raise tolls on the Thruway or on the new Tappan Zee Bridge, which is under currently under construction….Hawkins says he’d rather focus on public transportation….

And while all four expressed support for the Buffalo Bills football team, three did not offer to have the state pay for a new domed stadium for the Buffalo Bills, a question asked by a voter in a video. The Green’s Hawkins says he’d only consider it if the Bills entered into a co ownership arrangement with the state, similar to the Green Bay Packers, and agree never to leave New York.

Buffalo News: Analysis: Astorino vs. Cuomo provides test of wills

The Green Party’s Howie Hawkins spent the night reaching out to New York’s liberals, calling for full employment programs, higher wages, public campaign financing, proportional representation in the State Legislature and a ban on fracking ban.

By having Hawkins and Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott in the debate, Cuomo hoped to minimize face time for Astorino and his barbs. But it also gave Hawkins, who in a new poll is capturing 9 percent of support from likely voters, an opportunity to score points with liberals who may feel disenfranchised, like those who backed Zephyr Teachout in the September Democratic gubernatorial primary.

While Hawkins can’t win, he could, after Wednesday’s performance, steal enough votes from Cuomo in two weeks to make Cuomo’s expected margin of victory less than pollsters have been predicting. That might not matter on the broader scale anymore; Cuomo pledged Wednesday to serve a full term, which would, if true, seem to end chatter about a White House bid for him in 2016 if Hilllary Rodham Clinton does not run.

NY Daily News: GOP candidate Rob Astorino hits Andrew Cuomo hard on state economy, handling of Moreland commission at debate

While holding off Astorino on his right, Cuomo also needed fend off attacks on his left from Green Party Candiate Howie Hawkins...

Hawkins vowed to ban hydrofracking and pitched what he called a “Green New Deal” that also included a raise in the minimum wage and a single-payer health care system.

Lockport Union-Sun and Journal: Common Core, fracking and corruption lead to contentious moments in debate

Hawkins came out flatly against fracking...On legalizing marijuana, Cuomo and Astorino voiced opinions against the recreational use of the drug. Hawkins supports legalizing the drug….

Glens Falls Post-Star: Astorino -- 'Adamant' fracking opponents should vote for Hawkins

Adamant opponents to hydrofracking should vote the Green Party line not the Democratic line, in the governor’s election, said Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.

“For those who are adamantly opposed no matter what -- no matter what the science says, they are adamantly opposed -- then Howie Hawkins is the guy they need to vote for,” Astorino said Thursday in a meeting with The Post-Star editorial board. “He’s got principle and I’ve got principle. We have different conclusions on fracking, but at least we stand for something.”

Utica Observer-Dispatch: Republicans for Cuomo: Picente among GOP leaders backing Democrat

Green Party candidate Hawkins said he wasn’t surprised at Picente’s move. “I think Cuomo can be considered the second Republican in the race,” he said.

The Mudflats: NY's Howie Hawkins -- Candidate for Governor

[4:30 minute video] After speaking to a crowd of anti-fracking protestors outside the New York State Fair, Hawkins let loose the Democrats and the Republicans – explaining why there’s a need for a third party. He also emphasized that if Governor Cuomo wins in November it will be a win for fracking and conservative economic policies. Expressing anger at what he called austerity budgets from Cuomo, Hawkins said that the Governor, “Cut taxes for the rich and paid for it by cutting our schools.” He continued by discussing Cuomo’s coddling of the top one percent – “They need to pay their taxes, so we can fund the public sector.”

On the issue of Republicans and Democrats in New York State hiding behind the old ‘waiting for the science to come in’ line that politicians have used to not answer questions on everything from climate change to Pebble Mine, Hawkins did give the Democrats a bit of a pass… “The Republicans want to repeal the enlightenment – the Democrats just want to repeal the New Deal.”

 

October 22, 2014

Buffalo News: Videos: New York State gubernatorial debate, broken down by question

AP: NY governor hopefuls debate economy, leadership

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins voiced opposition to hydraulic fracturing and said the state needs to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

"I wish this was the first of several debates," Hawkins said. "We've barely touched on the issues."

Time Warner Cable News: Candidates for Governor Participate in Only Televised Debate, in Buffalo

The first, and only, gubernatorial debate was held Wednesday night in Buffalo. Incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo faced off against Republican Rob Astorino, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott.

CNY Central, CBS/Fox/NBC, Syracuse: Howie Hawkins stands out as perennial candidate: Matt's Memo

Republican Rob Astorino couldn't help but attack the sitting governor as soon as the red light went on over the camera. Governor Cuomo was well prepared to bite back at Astorino.

Hawkins stayed out of the fight and instead talked about his issues. He's a labor guy who does not favor the power of big business. He wants higher wages and less influence for corporations. Debating in Buffalo he suggested if any tax dollars go into a new football stadium for the Buffalo Bills the taxpayers should then gain on a future increase in value of the Bills or the stadium.

The Bills idea reminded me of Hawkins run for congress in 2008. I moderated a three way debate between Hawkins, Dan Maffei and Dale Sweetland.  By night's end I wondered why someone doesn't put Hawkins on the inside of government to propose new ideas that don't sound like all the others on the table.

Hawkins consistent history of organizing, demonstrating and being a voice for the voiceless brings a sense of civility and credibility to his campaign under the Green banner.

Siena College Poll: Three Statewide Officials Lead Republican Opponents

Governor Andrew Cuomo leads Rob Astorino 54-33 percent, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins polling at nine percent (last month Cuomo led 56-27-7 percent).

Capital Tonight Morning Memo: Siena: Hawkins Could Eat Into Cuomo's Big Lead

The poll found Cuomo leading Astorino, 54-33, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins receiving 9 percent of the vote.

The result is a slight dip for Cuomo from the previous month, when Siena College found the governor leading Astorino 56-27, with Hawkins at 7 percent.

With Hawkins gaining some ground in the polls, it's possible the Green Party candidate can eat into a chunk of Cuomo's overall total come Election Day.

"If Hawkins does that well on Election Day – something third party candidates often don’t do – then it will almost certainly make this year’s race closer than four years ago and keep Cuomo well below his total vote from 2010," said Siena pollster Steve Greenberg.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Poll: Howie Hawkins' sliver of votes could erode big win for Cuomo

...with two weeks to go, Hawkins is pulling 9 percent of the statewide vote, according to the poll from Siena College Research Institute.

And that could be more than enough to push the Green Party to "Row C" on the ballot, a political maneuver that would knock the Conservative Party down a notch and mark the largest victory for Hawkins and his party in New York state.

To win the coveted Row C, Hawkins would have to get more votes than Astorino on the Conservative Party line. That appears within reach, considering the Conservatives got just 5 percent of the gubernatorial vote four years ago.

"I think it's absolutely possible that Hawkins could get five percent of the vote," Siena pollster Steven Greenberg said….

Hawkins' platform includes a call for a $15 hourly minimum wage rate, a ban on hydrofracking, using government money to hire unemployed workers for public projects, a single-payer healthcare program, rejecting the Common Core teaching standards (and the federal money that came with them), refiguring school aid to give more help to poorer districts and raising taxes on the richest New Yorkers.

New York Times: First Draft, October 22

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has a comfortable 21-point advantage over Rob Astorino, the Republican challenger, according to the latest Siena College poll of likely voters released Wednesday. The Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, received 9 percent, and 4 percent were undecided.

New York Times: New York Democrats Have Strong Leads in All Statewide Races, Poll Finds

There were a few surprises: The Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, an environmentalist running a shoestring campaign, is polling 9 percent, perhaps an indication of Mr. Cuomo’s weakness on the left wing of his party. Mr. Cuomo also recorded his highest “unfavorable opinion” since taking office in January 2011.

Albany Times Union: Poll: Incumbents still in driver's seat

Cuomo’s favorable-unfavorable numbers sit at 54-43. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is known by 22 percent of voters, with 10 percent viewing him favorably….

In the governor’s race Cuomo leads Astorino 54-33. Howie Hawkins comes in at 9 percent of the vote in the three-way matchup.

“Cuomo is nine points shy of the 63 percent of the vote he got four years ago,” Siena College pollster Steve Greenberg said in a statement. “Unfortunately for Astorino, however, he’s 21 points away from equaling the 54 percent current support Cuomo has among likely voters. In fact, Astorino’s 33 percent support matches what the Republican gubernatorial candidate got in 2010. The difference is Howie Hawkins’ nine percent support. If Hawkins does that well on Election Day – something third party candidates often don’t do – then it will almost certainly make this year’s race closer than four years ago and keep Cuomo well below his total vote from 2010.”

WNYT, NBC, Albany: Republicans trail 21 points behind Democrats in Siena poll

The poll finds 54 percent of New York's likely voters support Gov. Andrew Cuomo, while 33 percent support Rob Astorino, nine percent are backing Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Wall Street Journal: Astorino Gets Another Chance with Cuomo Debate

The format is also a welcome change for at least one of the other participants, Mr. Hawkins, who took part in the seven-person face-off in 2010 and predicted that Wednesday’s event would be an upgrade from that fracas.

“I remember saying [Mr. Cuomo’s] getting funding from one of the Koch brothers, and by the time it went through the Manhattan madam and Jimmy McMillan, it was like [it happened] last week,” Mr. Hawkins said.

With just Mr. Astorino in between Messrs. Cuomo and Hawkins, Mr. Hawkins said, “hopefully when I say something that’s critical of him, it will be in people’s minds when he speaks.”

Capital New York: Six things to watch for in the gubernatorial debate

Green sideshow, or credible choice?

Other than Cuomo, Hawkins, a Syracuse teamster, will be the only candidate who was onstage during the 2010 gubernatorial debate.

Hawkins has grown in four years, sharpening his messaging and, given Cuomo's centrist record, attracting more resources and volunteers in this run than the last. In a conference call with reporters on Tuesday, Hawkins said he hoped to grill Cuomo about hydrofracking—which Hawkins wants to ban and Cuomo is currently stalling in the name of a health review.

“I want to make it clear I'm the only anti-fracking candidate, and the only candidate who wants to take clear action on climate change,” Hawkins said. “I want to be up there, considered equal, and just as serious as the two major party candidates. I'll be the third major-party candidate up there. I hope people come away with that impression.”

 

October 21, 2014

NY Times: Editorial: Re-elect Andrew Cuomo for Governor of New York

Another candidate, Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, is a dedicated environmentalist who wants a minimum wage of $15 an hour and free tuition to state colleges, among other progressive proposals. His candidacy is unrealistic, but his ambitious ideas are useful goads to the governor from the left.

Time-Warner Cable News: Howie Hawkins Claims Gov. Cuomo Edited USGS Fracking Report 

The Green party candidate for governor, Howie Hawkins, said Andrew Cuomo has been caught, again, meddling with official documents.

"The point I want to make today is that if you look at actions and not just words, it's evident that Andrew Cuomo has been as pro-fracking as Astorino talks about," said Green party candidate for governor, Howie Hawkins.

Hawkins said voters need to look closely at recent developments in the fracking debate. In particular, claims that a U.S. geological survey report sought by the Cuomo administration on hydrofracking was edited to cut criticism of fracking's impact on the environment.

NYU Washington Square News: Rally at City Hall held for permit

Protesters gathered on the steps of New York City Hall on Oct. 20 to demand a permit for a protest against police brutality planned for Oct. 22. Protesters are expected to march from Union Square to Times Square.

Approximately 20 people stood in front of City Hall behind a large banner that read “Mass Incarceration + Silence = Genocide: Act to Stop It Now.” According to a press release from the organizers, the annual march, which started in 1996, has never been prohibited. For the first time, the protesters were not granted a permit from the New York City Police Department to march this year….

Brian Jones, lieutenant governor candidate for the Green Party, was also in attendance and compared the pandemic of police brutality to the Ebola virus.

“This is a pandemic worse than Ebola,” Jones said. “Like the Ebola crisis, the structures that are supposed to be in place to protect people are incapable of doing anything about the crisis.Here, the district attorneys work so closely with the police that they are incapable of prosecuting them.”

WBIX, The Kheeler Show: Howie Hawkins Interview

Howie is running against Cuomo in the Governor’s race on the Green Party line. Howie is on to talk about the fact that Cuomo tried to have Fracking environmental studies changed before the were published with regards to methane gas. He talks about Hydro Fracking and how he is the only candidate in this race that is for a ban on Fracking. He also talks about the advancement of energy and alternative energy. We do not want to fall behind the curve.

Occupy Utica: Green Party Candidate for NY Governor to Visit Utica

Come visit Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins Tuesday, October 21at 6:00pm at Mohamed’s Barbershop in Utica (1207 Park Ave – near Oneida Square). Hawkins joined Freedom School students and various local activists in Utica this past May Day at a protest to demand a $15/hr minimum wage. This event is open to the public.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Have you done your studying?

Third-party candidate Howie Hawkins has the support of many teachers, professors and education reform activists. He is committed to desegregating our school systems, increasing funding for NY state and community colleges, and stepping out of the Race to the Top.

Green Party Watch: Green Party’s Howie Hawkins in livestreamed NY Governor’s debate Weds 10/22 

In one of the most exciting Green campaigns of 2014, Howie Hawkins, the New York Green Party’s candidate for governor, will take part in a televised (and livestreamed) debate with his opponents on Wednesday, October 22nd at 8pm Eastern time. Despite having a tiny fraction of the money and media attention of his opponents, Hawkins has surged to 9% in statewide polls and has passed the Republican candidate in some areas.

 

October 20, 2014

NY Daily News: Cuomo vs. N.Y. progressives; Anger in the Working Families Party about its own nominee

Plus some progressives who’d otherwise pull the WFP line intend to protest the governor by voting for Green candidate Howie Hawkins.

Legislative Gazette: Following his tracking tour, Hawkins outlines energy plan

 

Hawkins, however, advocated a hydrofracking ban during his 2010 gubernatorial run, and continues to champion renewable energy, saying it would slow the progress of climate change while protecting the state's environment and New Yorkers' health.

"Rather than invest resources in developing nineteenth-century fuels and fossil fuel infrastructure, we need to invest in renewable energy. Climate change is a planetary emergency — renewable energy is a solution to the climate crisis and to the jobs crisis," Hawkins said.

Hawkins presented an alternative energy plan for New York as part of his "Green New Deal" that aims to help the middle class by creating green jobs.

The plan centers around individually-owned solar panels and wind turbines which would hook into community smart grids. If an individual's turbines or panels produce an excess of energy, it can be transferred to other customers in the grid or stored in fuel cells until it is needed.

The community smart grids would be interconnected through a statewide smart grid, which Hawkins calls "the big investment" in the system. The decentralized statewide system would be backed up by solar and wind farms, as well as large-scale facilities that collect solar thermal and geothermal energy.

A report prepared for the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation estimated that the green-lighting of hydrofracking would create between 6,198 and 36,989 full-time construction and production jobs at the industry's peak, estimated to be 30 years from the time fracking is green lighted.

The report also estimates hydrofracking would indirectly create between 7,293 and 43,521 jobs in other industries at peak employment.

Hawkins says his Green New Deal would create 4.5 million construction jobs and 58,000 permanent jobs.

Hawkins, citing a Capital New York article that revealed a U.S. Geological Survey report on potential hazards posed to water by hydrofracking was doctored and delayed by the Cuomo administration, said it shows the governor "cannot be trusted."

"[Cuomo] says he's waiting for the science to come in, and when it comes in and he doesn't like it, he wants a [change]?" Hawkins said, suggesting Cuomo wants hydrofracking in New York because it could put him in a better position to run for the presidency.

"The national Democratic Party, from Obama on down, [are pro-hydrofracking] and [Cuomo's] brand is not being a big environmentalist…he's a fiscal conservative and a social liberal…plus there's a lot of money coming from the oil and gas industry to his campaign," said Hawkins, suggesting that this money will fund his presidential bid.

"[It's] all about politics, not about science," Hawkins said.

Syracuse Post-Standard: NY gov candidate Howie Hawkins earned $29,962 in 2013

"My taxes illustrate what working New Yorkers already know. New York's highest-in-the-nation property taxes are too damn high," Hawkins said.

"We need to shift more of our combined state and local tax burden from the regressive property tax to the progressive income tax by restoring the more progressive tax system New York had in the 1970s" Hawkins said. "That would give 95 percent of us an income tax cut, increase state revenues by 20 percent, and increase state revenue sharing with local governments eightfold. Then the state would pay for its mandates on local governments and we could reduce local property taxes substantially."

Syracuse Post-Standard: Number of people deemed unstable under Safe Act may be low, Cuomo says

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins would combat the heroin epidemic by legalizing it.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: New York gubernatorial debates insufficient

Were Barack Obama and Mitt Romney to have met for only one debate in 2012; and were it to have been carried only by PBS; and were it to have lasted only one hour; and were they to have been joined by Virgil Goode (of the Constitution Party), Rocky Anderson (of the Justice Party) and other minor party candidates; voters would have howled.

So where is the outcry in New York?

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Republican challenger, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, will meet for what in all likelihood will be their only debate this Wednesday evening. It will be carried by PBS stations (including WXXI in Rochester), last one hour, and include Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott.

Times Herald-Record, Middletown: Letter: Military, politics, business harm our environment

And speaking of candidates, I would urge those who agree with what I've written to consider supporting the Green Party candidates for governor and lieutenant-governor, Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, respectively. They stand totally against fracking and other climate change horrors, unlike the other gubernatorial candidates.

 

October 19, 2014

Acronym TV: Culture is a Crime

Spoken word from Immortal Technique and Erica Violet Lee of Idle No More, plus: 

3 interviews looking at the climate crisis from 3 angles: Medea Benjamin of Code Pink talks about the links between the peace movement and the climate justice movement -- and how Code Pink started as an Environmental group- 

Then Howie Hawkins, as his momentum in the New York gubernatorial race is ramping up, talks about Green justice in the electoral arena.

Also, Occupy Sandy organizer Nastaran Mohit talks about our need to face down white privilege within the movement, and step out of our comfort zones. Finally, Jill Stein points out that we have critical mass and critical momentum to win the day.

 

October 18, 2014

WBAI, NYC: City Watch: Howie Hawkins Interview

20 minute interview starts 10 minutes into show.

New York Post: Howie Hawkins gaining support in the governor's race

Left-leaning Democratic voters upset with Gov. Cuomo are moving toward an alternative: Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Hawkins is catching fire with dissidents who supported Zephyr Teachout over Cuomo in the Democratic primary last month.

Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform in Brooklyn endorsed Hawkins this week, becoming the third Democratic club in the city to abandon Cuomo.

The Village Independent Democrats and the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club in Greenwich Village previously backed Hawkins, a truck loader for United Parcel Service.

Hawkins got another big boost Thursday night when the Buffalo teachers union — which opposes charter schools — lined up with him. Cuomo is a supporter of charters.

While Hawkins has little chance of winning, the growing support for his candidacy could cut into Cuomo’s margin of victory.

A Quinnipiac University poll released earlier this month showed Cuomo with 51 percent, Astorino with 31 percent and Hawkins at 9 percent — high for a third-party candidate.

Journal News, Lower Hudson Valley: Reisman: Hawkins says Andy, Rob are both just GOP

His rising profile makes him a thorn in Cuomo's side. Hawkins has tapped into the psyches of disaffected Democrats, who don't like Cuomo's centrist tendencies on everything from Common Core to fracking.

"Plus his style," Hawkins said of Cuomo. "Cuomo's arm twisting, they don't like it. I think I'm going to get a lot of protest votes from those quarters."

His platform is an updated blend of FDR's New Deal and LBJ's Great Society, packaged into what his party calls "The Green New Deal." This includes a $15 minimum wage and squeezing more money ($30 billion annually) from the richest New Yorkers by restoring the progressive income-tax brackets of the 1970s.

Similar to Zephyr Teachout, who challenged Cuomo from the party's left in a September primary, Hawkins has no chance at winning, but he does threaten to upset the governor's quest to win in a landslide on the order of, say, 65 percent.

Whether the threat holds up remains to be seen. As far as Hawkins is concerned, it doesn't matter who he helps or hinders. In his populist view, Astorino and Cuomo are different brands of Republican, both bought and paid for by the one percent.

"The rich Republicans are backin' Cuomo with their money, that's the establishment in New York," he said. "Astorino's gettin' the grassroots Republicans, and they have a party structure, particularly upstate. We've got to speak for ourselves, organize and act for ourselves and try to persuade the majority that we got a better way forward."

 

October 17, 2014

NY State of Politics: More Liberal Dem Support for Hawkins

After Zephyr Teachout’s loss in the Democratic gubernatorial primary, Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, made a public appeal for her disappointed supporters on the left to back his campaign.

It appears that call is being heeded. Hawkins yesterday picked up the support of a third New York City-based liberal Democratic Club – the Prospect Heights Democrats for Reform (based in Brooklyn)….The PHDR endorsement comes on the heels of decisions earlier this week by the Village Independent Democrats and Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club – both Manhattan-based organizations – to support Hawkins.

Also last night, the Buffalo Teachers Federation voted unanimously to endorse Hawkins, according to his campaign, becoming the third teachers union to back his minor party gubernatorial bid. The Buffalo teachers had been strong supporters of Teachout during the primary. Hawkins will be in Buffalo today to discuss, among other things, public education and the Common Core.

WBFO, NPR, Buffalo: Hawkins campaigns against charter schools, Common Core

As Governor Cuomo has turned his attention to how the state would deal with Ebola, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins appeared in Buffalo Friday campaigning against charter schools, Common Core and Fracking. 

"I think it is a set up. This is not about these schools failing. These schools are failing because they are under resourced," said Hawkins.  "If we are going to deal the problem of poor performance and achievement in these disadvantage communities we have to have broader social reform."

Hawkins received a major endorsement the Buffalo Teachers Union….

"I would call off this high-stakes testing and Common Core and let the teachers teach," said Hawkins.

Newsday: Gov. candidate Hawkins offers bold approach to heroin, racism

Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins has a novel approach to the heroin epidemic: Legalize it.

“I would legalize, regulate and tax drugs, starting with marijuana and heroin,” Hawkins said Friday. “We should treat drug abuse as a health problem, not a criminal problem. Drug treatment on demand, not mass incarceration"....

It is the latest bold proposal by the liberal candidate for governor. Hawkins has offered several innovative ideas in a governor’s race that is mostly focused on traditional issues such as the economy. Instead, Hawkins is taking on racism.

Hawkins would create what he calls a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission. It would provide a critical review of the nation’s longtime “war on drugs” and the incarceration of minorities at a higher rate than white defendants. The commission would also look into the segregation in New York cities by housing costs, which he said leads to underperforming schools in low-income neighborhoods.

Rochester WHAM 1180: Andrew Cuomo is in Puerto Rico

Governor Andrew Cuomo is currently visiting Puerto Rico and has plans to visit the Dominican Republic after that, ignoring the people within New York State, a few weeks prior to the election. Not only has Cuomo left the country in the middle of the campaign, he has failed to maintain the promises he made to the Working Families Party to campaign for them. Meanwhile, Howie Hawkins is in New York working hard on the campaign trail.

New York Observer: Amazon's Reviewers Savage Andrew Cuomo's Memoir

The vitriol toward Mr. Cuomo is not confined to the internet. His book signing on Wednesday drew as many irate protesters as it did starry-eyed fans. Many people waiting in line oddly refused to speak to reporters about why they were there.

The memoir, released weeks before Mr. Cuomo faces re-election against Mr. Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, boosted Mr. Cuomo’s public profile.

Oneonta Daily Star: In Our Opinion: Cuomo must answer for fudged report

Information obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showed that Cuomo’s people edited and delayed a federal report on fracking commissioned by the Cuomo administration.

“In the early study draft, author Paul Heisig noted that gas ‘drilling, extraction, transport via pipelines, and underground storage’ could inadvertently introduce methane into drinking water supplies,” Capital New York’s Scott Waldman wrote.

“But the version published after the copy was reviewed and edited by staff members from the state D.E.C. and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority omits the reference to pipelines and underground storage. The later, administration-vetted version also includes a line that wasn’t in the earlier draft, saying that methane pollution risks in fracking are mitigated by well-designed gas wells: ‘This risk can be reduced if the casing and cementing of wells is properly designed and constructed,’” the news report says.

...fudging the facts about important information that citizens have a right to know is another thing altogether.

For his part, Cuomo — far ahead of Republican Rob Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins in the polls — seems to be closing his eyes and wishing it all to go away so he can get on with the formality of being re-elected and promoting his new book: “All Things Possible.”

 

October 16, 2014

WXXI, NPR, Rochester: Connections with Evan Dawson

[52 minute audio interview] In studio this hour is Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins.

Oneonta Daily Star: Hawkins tours area, hits Cuomo on fracking

COOPERSTOWN — Taking his campaign for governor to the heartland of New York’s home-rule movement, Howie Hawkins on Wednesday eagerly pointed out that he is the only candidate in the race to favor a statewide ban on natural gas drilling….

While Hawkins said he’s in favor of empowering local government to zone out fracking, his support for home rule would not extend to towns that want to authorize shale gas drilling.

“You don’t have the right to heat up the planet,” he said, linking fossil fuel development with global warming.

In a debate slated for next Wednesday in Buffalo, where he will join Cuomo and Republican challenger Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive, Hawkins said he will distinguish himself as the only candidate who favors a single-payer system for health care coverage.

The Guardian, U.K.: Anti-fracking activist faces fines and jail time in ongoing feud with gas firm

An oil and gas company is seeking fines and jail time for a peaceful anti-fracking activist in Pennsylvania, according to court documents.

In a motion filed this week, lawyers for Cabot Oil and Gas Corporation, one of the biggest operators in Pennsylvania, asked the Susquehanna County court to find longtime activist Vera Scroggins in contempt of an injunction barring her from areas near its well sites.

The row between Cabot and Scroggins became notorious in environmental and human rights circles after the company sought last year to ban the activist from an area of about 310 sq miles (803 sq km) – or about half the entire county. The scope of that ban was later reduced.

In the latest legal move, lawyers for Cabot argued that Scroggins showed “blatant disregard” for the ban when she escorted a Green Party politician [Howie Hawkins] and others on a tour of rural areas subject to heavy drilling.

The Villager: V.I.D. snubs guv, goes Green with Hawkins

They endorsed charismatic upstart Zephyr Teachout against Andrew Cuomo in the September Democratic primary. And now the Village Independent Democrats are continuing to snub the governor. Last Thursday the historic Reform Democratic club voted to support Howie Hawkins in the Nov. 4 general election.

While Teachout was a relative political unknown, at least she was a Democrat. What makes the Hawkins endorsement more unusual is that he’s a Green.

However, like Teachout, he’s a strong opponent of fracking. The centerpiece of his campaign is a Green New Deal, under which the state would completely transition to renewable energy within 15 years.

Last Sunday, Hawkins sent out an e-mail release, touting it as the first time ever the venerable Democratic club has backed a third-party candidate.

“I know it is a bold move for any Democratic club to endorse outside the party,” Hawkins said. “But it makes sense as I’m the only candidate who will stand up for the 99% who are getting a raw deal from politicians. I am the only candidate who will ban fracking, and create millions of jobs by moving to 100% clean energy by 2030. And I’m the only candidate that will put a floor on wages with a $15 minimum wage. The endorsement makes sense as I am the only progressive running for governor.”

AP: Gov. Cuomo holds book signing instead of addressing fracking issue

Trips to Pennsylvania drilling sites are emerging as political pilgrimages for New York gubernatorial candidates, as politicians and voters wrestle with fracking. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins opposes hydraulic fracturing for natural gas and toured drilling sites in Pennsylvania last week. Republican Rob Astorino supports fracking and plans to visit a fracking operation this month. Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, is steering clear of the issue.

Thom Friend Blog: Green Party Candidates Vow to Tackle War on Drugs and Mass Incarceration

Howie Hawkins, the New York gubernatorial candidate for the Green Party, joined with attorney General candidate Ramon Jimenez (Green), and prison reform/Occupy activist Cecily McMillan outside the Criminal Courthouse in Manhattan Thursday afternoon.

In addition to their established platform in environmental advocacy, Green Party candidates are now tackling social justice issues across the board. Today’s topic was the prison system.

“My administration would provide clemency to everybody incarcerated on nonviolent drug offences,” said Hawkins.

Breitbart News: New York Governor's Race Polarized over Common Core

Lisa Rudley, whose children attend the Ossining school district in Westchester County, said she believes frustrated parents will not support Cuomo, and, instead, will vote for either Astorino or Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who is also against the Common Core standards.

“I think you will see a lot of votes that otherwise would have gone to Cuomo who will go to Astorino and Howie because of this issue,” said Rudley, who is co-founder of New York State Allies for Public Education. “I think parents are more engaged than ever.”

Ed Notes Online: VOTE HOWIE HAWKINS/BRIAN JONES AND GREEN PARTY FOR GOVERNOR by Beth Domino, President of Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association

Cuomo has been a governor who incites communities to doubt school professionals and prefers to blame teachers instead of providing badly needed resources and support. Many believe that Cuomo has done the most substantial damage to our public system than any governor before him.

Challenging the Governor is Westchester County Executive Republican candidate Rob Astorino. While some have taken notice of Mr. Astorino’s anti-common core platform, a simple scratch beneath the surface reveals a candidate who puts all his faith in charter schools and would further decimate schools through a reduction of state aid. Equally alarming is Astorino’s opposition to teacher tenure, as well as, his vow to eliminate the Triborough Amendment.

Fortunately, there is an alternative this year to both Mr. Cuomo and Mr. Astorino. Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins and his running mate for Lieutenant Governor, Brian Jones have produced an education platform that is completely in sync with what we believe and know to be sound education policy.

 

October 15, 2014

Ithaca Journal: N.Y. Gov candidate Hawkins rallies in Ithaca

Hawkins supports banning hydraulic fracturing, freeing all non-violent drug offenders from prison, stopping fossil fuel infrastructure construction, increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, single-payer health care and ending corporate personhood, among other issues.

Dan Hoffman, of Ithaca, attended the Hawkins rally in Press Bay Alley, off Green Street, and took a free Hawkins yard sign to display at his home.

“I’m very concerned about hydrofracking and about climate change and social inequity, and he seems to be the candidate who is most directly addressing that and proposing solutions that are in line with what I’d like to see,” Hoffman said.

New York Observer: Few Die-Hard Fans Turn Out For Andrew Cuomo’s Book Signing

Allen Roskoff, the president of the Chelsea-based Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club, was also in line to apparently antagonize the governor. The liberal activist, whose club recently snubbed Mr. Cuomo for his Green Party opponent Howie Hawkins, also fumed about Mr. Cuomo’s lack of clemency granted to prisoners since he was elected.

“He’s heartless,” Mr. Roskoff said.

CBS New York: New York Gov. Cuomo Delivers Top 10 On Letterman

Meanwhile, a recent Quinnipiac University has Cuomo ahead by 20 points in the New York gubernatorial race. The survey gives the Democratic incumbent 51 percent of the vote, with the Westchester County Executive getting 31 percent and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins picking up 9 percent. 

Newsday: Letter: Green Party avoids fusion ballots

The Green Party is an independent party with its own values. Our gubernatorial candidate, Howie Hawkins, is a true alternative.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Ralph Nader to headline NYC event for Howie Hawkins in the race for governor

Ralph Nader is hosting another rally to support Howie Hawkins, of Syracuse, the Green Party candidate for governor. This time, the event is in New York City.

 

October 14, 2014

Brian Lehrer Show, WNYC, NPR, New York City: Howie Hawkins' Run for Governor

Our interviews with the general election candidates for Governor continue. Howie Hawkins, running on the Green Party line, talks about his bid.

NY1, Inside City Hall with Errol Louis: Green Party Candidates Make Case Against Democratic Party

Green Party Candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins and Green Party Candidate for State Attorney General Ramon Jimenez told Errol Louis why they think New York progressives should turn their backs on the Democratic party.

AP: Fracking a political issue in NY

Pennsylvania drilling sites are emerging as destinations for political pilgrimage for candidates for governor in New York as politicians and voters alike weigh in on whether to allow the technique called hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins opposes the drilling technique, also called fracking, and last week toured drilling sites in Pennsylvania to highlight what he says are negative health and environmental impacts….

"I'm the only anti-fracking candidate," Hawkins told reporters Monday. "Cuomo is sitting on the fence waiting for the election to be over."

New York Post: WFP tensions rise over Cuomo-backed Women's Equality Party

With disaffected leftists upset at Cuomo, WFP officials are conceding privately that the Green Party will likely surpass the WFP’s vote totals with little-known UPS worker Howie Hawkins as its gubernatorial candidate.

Newsday: Filler: Want big ideas? Listen to Howie Hawkins and Michael McDermott

Spend an hour talking to New York gubernatorial candidates Howie Hawkins of the Green Party or Libertarian Michael McDermott and you will not be bored. Both support actual ideologies they express honestly. And you don't have to agree with them, particularly on tactics, to recognize that their goals deserve discussion.

Hawkins wants 100 percent clean, renewable energy by 2030, and plenty of government funding to ensure it. McDermott sees the same future of sustainable energy dominating and fossil fuels waning, but via the free market, not government subsidies. And both oppose hydrofracking for natural gas in New York. They don't sort of think that maybe if the interminable studies officials have ordered not to be finished ever get finished, then with certain safeguards designed by supertintelligent robots, it might be or might not be safe to blah blah blah.

Mid-Hudson News: Green candidate says the race for governor can be three-way

Howie Hawkins concedes he lacks one critical attribute in his quest to become governor of New York – name recognition.  That he acknowledged up front during a campaign visit to Newburgh on Monday. 

Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, said that even with just three weeks to election day, the ‘recognition’ deficit can be overcome.  He’s counting on the one debate, October 22, in Buffalo....

Daily Freeman, Kingston: Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for NY governor, says he can overcome lack of name recognition

Hawkins predicted voters will understand him better ‘When they find out what I stand for.”

“One of the things we need is full funding for the schools,” he said. “We can’t balance the state budget on the backs of the schools and then give tax breaks to the very rich.”

Among the small group attending his rally across from Newburgh City Hall on Monday was Tim Brown, president of the Valley Central Teachers’ Association. Brown agreed with Hawkins’ assessment that both Cuomo and Astorino miss the mark on education.

“It’s not sustainable, and what they do is they keep pushing the cost down to the local taxpayer, saying, ‘We cut at the state level’, which is true, but somehow it has to get funded, which really pits the taxpayer against the school district,” Brown said.

Hawkins said that’s creating a “dual school system: separate and unequal.”

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Hawkins: tracking industry is "winging it"

Hawkins recently visited a northern Pennsylvania region that’s experienced an energy rush using the drilling method known as fracking….

"I really got a sense that this is an industry winging it as it goes up in Pennsylvania, not really sticking strictly with the safety requirements and the consequences were devastating," he said to reporters on a conference call….

Hawkins first called for a statewide ban on fracking in 2010, when he first ran for governor.

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Howie Hawkins wants to do away with standardized testing

The Green Party candidate for governor, Howie Hawkins, doesn’t just want to do away with the Common Core education curriculum, but as much standardized testing as possible.

That dislike for Common Core is one of the few things Hawkins and Republicans can agree on. Both he and the GOP candidate for governor, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, want to see the national benchmarks for English and math learning be revoked.

"I’m different than Astorino. He’s talking about setting up our own standardized tests and assessments in New York. And I think we just have to get away from that and let the teachers teach and let them design the assessments," he said.

He says New York is too big for statewide standards, though Hawkins admits he wouldn’t be able to eliminate standardized tests the federal government mandates.

"Let the local teachers and parents and school boards, the people who care the most about their local school children, make decisions about standards, curriculum and assessments," Hawkins said.

Legislative Gazette: Dems in danger of losing three upstate Senate seats

Tkaczyk's district is also the only congressional or state Senate district polled by Siena where Republican challenger Rob Astorino leads Andrew Cuomo in the gubernatorial race. Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, is polling at 11 percent in that district, suggesting he is taking a chunk of the area's progressive vote away from Cuomo.

 

October 13, 2014

Newsday: Andrew Cuomo Leads Rob Astorino 54-33 on Long Island: Newsday/News12/Siena College poll

Cuomo, a Democrat, garnered 54 percent compared to Astorino’s 33 percent in a survey of likely voters in Nassau and Suffolk counties. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins received 5 percent....

Hawkins said his 5 percent share is many times better than the 0.5 percent he attracted from Nassau and Suffolk counties in the election four years ago. He said he believes his opposition to Common Core is resonating with Island parents and teachers.

NY Daily News: Green party candidate for Attorney General calls for investigation into lobbyist working for FreshDirect

This Green Party candidate is seeing red.

Ramon Jimenez, a Bronx lawyer and Green Party candidate for Attorney General, called on the state Joint Commission on Public Ethics to investigate the actions of a lobbying firm representing FreshDirect in its bid to move to the Bronx.

In the complaint, filed Friday, Jimenez accuses the lobbyist, The Parkside Group, of contacting Mayor de Blasio’s office on behalf of the online grocer and not properly disclosing its activities to the ethics commission.

Capital New York: Hawkins: Ditch Common Core and statewide standards

“My position is we need to opt out of Common Core because it’s dumbing down education,” Hawkins said. “It’s forcing our teachers to teach to the test. That whole high-stakes testing regime, which is part of Common Core, is a big drain on time and money in schools.

“We should let the local teachers and parents and school boards make the decisions about standards, curriculum and assessment,” he continued.

WAMC, NPR, Albany: Howie Hawkins Weights In On Fracking, Common Core

Hawkins also visited arguably one of the year's most explosive issues: Common Core. He believes part of the key to education reform is less testing and more equitable, full funding for education.

"And that whole high-stakes testing regime, which is part of Common Core, is a big drain on time in the schools as well as money to administer the program. We should let the teachers teach. Let the local teachers and parents and school boards, the people who care most about their local schoolchildren, make the decisions about standards, curriculum and assessments."

WIVT, News Channel 34, Binghamton: Poll numbers for Hawkins rise

New York State's Green gubernatorial candidate is polling at record highs. Howie Hawkins has 9 percent of the potential vote according to a recent Quinnipiac Poll.

He has said he is the only candidate truly opposed to fracking and who is also committed to a progressive agenda.

Hawkins said his numbers are significant, because it shows at least some people in New York are ready for a change. 

"We're getting a very good response for a progressive third party candidate we have higher poll numbers than candidate running statewide in New York History received in vote. If we just maintain what we have, we'll set a record and that will say something," said Hawkins.

Hawkins and a group of fractivists went to several drilling sites in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania last week to talk about the potential negative impacts that fracking can have.

WETM, NBC, Channel 18, Elmira: New York Governor Candidate Stands by Commitment to Ban Fracking

The Green Party Candidate for Governor of New York stands by his position to ban fracking if elected in November.

Howie Hawkins visited Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania last week to tour hydrofracking sites.  He said meeting with neighbors living near those sites confirmed to him to dangers associated with drilling.  

WNYT, NBC, Channel 13, Albany: No Columbus Day holiday for gubernatorial candidates

For the three candidates vying to win the governor’s race in New York State, Columbus Day was no holiday.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins released a statement on Monday about a trip he took to Pennsylvania last week. Hawkins says he visited an area where they are drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. He says he met with residents whose water has been polluted by the drilling operations, and he wants fracking banned in New York State.

Watertown Daily Times: Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins on north country issues

“Hopefully with a good vote that’ll be our calling card to go organize people who will see us not just as a protest vote every four years but as an ongoing third major party in the state, which will really open up the political debate,” Mr. Hawkins said.

Mr. Hawkins visited Times offices recently, making the drive from Syracuse in the Hyundai Accent that doubles as his campaign office, and spoke about his “Green New Deal” for New York, which would raise the minimum wage in the state to $15 an hour, establish a publicly funded single-payer health care program and provide public works jobs for the unemployed.

WWTI, ABC, Channel 50, Watertown: New York Governor Candidate Stands By Commitment to Ban Fracking

The Green Party Candidate for Governor of New York stands by his position to ban fracking if elected in November. Howie Hawkins visited Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania last week to tour hydrofracking sites.  He said meeting with neighbors living near those sites confirmed to him to dangers associated with drilling.  People he spoke with told him they have to buy their water, because their wells have been contaminated for years.

Daily Freeman, Kingston: 3 proposals on the state ballot this Election Day

Beside the marquee race of Cuomo vs. Astorino vs. Hawkins, voters next month will have a opportunity to cast ballots on redistricting, having the Legislature go paperless, and borrowing $2 billion for schools. 

Legislators quietly put the three ballot proposals in place for the November 4 election, hoping they would win approval without much controversy, especially for a plan to heap more debt on New York taxpayers.

The proposals will appear on the reverse side of the paper ballots that now are used, requiring voters to remember to turn the page over to vote yes or no three times after marking their choices in the races for governor, which pits incumbent Andrew Cuomo against Republican Rob Astorino and Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins.

WNYT, NBC, Channel 13, Albany: Campaigning continues three weeks ahead of Election Day

Political campaigning continues with elections three weeks from Tuesday. The Green Party's candidate for governor, Howie Hawkins will speak about his trip to gas drilling fields in Pennsylvania Monday. He visited the Keystone State last week.

WNYT, NBC, Channel 13, Albany: No Columbus Day holiday for gubernatorial candidates

For the three candidates vying to win the governor’s race in New York State, Columbus Day was no holiday.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins released a statement on Monday about a trip he took to Pennsylvania last week. Hawkins says he visited an area where they are drilling for natural gas using hydraulic fracturing. He says he met with residents whose water has been polluted by the drilling operations, and he wants fracking banned in New York State.

 

October 12, 2014

Progress Queens: In Queens, Green Party candidates Jones and Jimenez talk about issues, momentum

Green Party candidates Brian Jones and Ramon Jimenez appeared at a meet and greet with voters in Woodside, Queens, earlier today.

An over-flow crowd showed up to meet the candidates at Flynn’s Garden Inn, and when it came time for the candidates and other community organizers to deliver their remarks, the gathering had to move to a larger space in an outside patio that was still not large enough to accommodate the huge turn-out.

Journal News, Lower Hudson Valley: Cuomo, Astorino differ on Common Core

Lisa Rudley, whose three children attend the Ossining school district in Westchester County, said she believes frustrated parents will be hard pressed to support Cuomo. And much of their support could go to Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who also supports rescinding the Common Core.

"I think you will see a lot of votes that otherwise would have gone to Cuomo who will go to Astorino and Howie because of this issue," said Rudley, a Briarcliff Manor resident who is a co-founder of New York State Allies for Public Education, a coalition of parent groups. "I think parents are more engaged than ever."

Hawkins has called on the state to withdraw from both Common Core and Race to the Top, instead calling for standards written by in-state teachers.

Independent Political Report: Village Independent Democrats Endorse Howie Hawkins

The progressive Village Independent Democrats endorsed Green Party Governor candidate Howie Hawkins at their Friday endorsement meeting.

It is the first time in the venerable club’s history that it has endorsed a third party candidate for any office.

Times Herald-Record, Middletown: Letters: Green candidate Hawkins easy anti-fracking choice

If on the other hand, you are ethical and sane, and thus not into toxicity and poverty, especially for yourself, vote Howie Hawkins for governor on the Green Party line. It doesn’t get any easier than this, people. Come Election Day, go Green!

Gotham Gazette: The Week Ahead in New York Politics

Governor Cuomo will be at Barnes & Noble in Union Square on Wednesday evening to promote his new memoir - and his opponent Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins will have a presence outside the store.

 

October 11, 2014

NY Daily News: Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins working to woo Democrats unhappy with Cuomo

The only thing standing between Gov. Cuomo and his hopes for a resounding victory on Election Day might be a 61-year-old United Parcel Service worker from Syracuse.

Howie Hawkins has taken a leave of absence from his job unloading UPS trucks to run as the Green Party candidate for governor.

Casting himself as the “progressive choice” in the race, he has gained traction among Democrats unhappy with Cuomo for embracing tax cuts and charter schools, and for not banning fracking, a gas-drilling technique.

“Cuomo is weak on his left,” Hawkins said. “I am working hard to earn those votes and I am hearing from a lot of those people that they are coming to me.”

Register-Star, Columbia and Greene Counties: Letter: Level the Playing Field

Hawkins and the Green Party lack the rich coffers of the Democratic and Republican parties, yet it is clear that the Green Party’s progressive agenda excites a significant number of voters. Hawkins calls for a publicly-funded, single-payer health care program for all New Yorkers, free tuition at SUNY and community colleges, a moratorium on home foreclosures, no new fossil fuel infrastructure, and a Green New Deal to create jobs and protect the environment. Unlike Cuomo, Hawkins and the Green Party support an unconditional ban on fracking. The Green Party opposes the petroleum “bomb trains” transporting highly explosive crude oil from North Dakota through local communities, including Catskill. 

 

October 10, 2014

WCNY, PBS, Central New York: Insight interview with Howie Hawkins

Susan Arbetter sits down for what we hope to be a three part "introduction" to the gubernatorial candidates running for governor in the state of New York. We kick off our first part with Green Party candidate and Syracuse's very own, Howie Hawkins.

Capital New York: Last progressive standing

Howie Hawkins is never too busy to hear from the people. As he travels from place to place to hear the needs of the public, Hawkins never hurries the people along, instead he listens to what they have to say.

City Councilwoman Anastasia Robertson explained that city officials had turned water back on at two occupied structures where days earlier they had evicted tenants and shut off the flow because the landlord, who lives in a nearby suburb, was thousands of dollars in arrears.

Hawkins asked questions and listened to about 10 minutes of bitching, nodding along and asking about the neighborhood.

“I heard about this, and it sounded like Detroit. My platform is about economic human rights—education, jobs, health care—I didn't think I had to say water,” he said, sliding into a critique of Cuomo's policies about cities. “Money's going downtown to stimulate business, and it's supposed to trickle up here, but it's not.”

This gets into Hawkins platform, which he would outline later to roughly 85 Siena students who heard him in part because it seemed to be a class requirement. Hawkins would raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour through a wage board he says he could appoint if elected. 

He would establish single-payer health care and increase aid to both schools and municipalities, gaining money by raising taxes on the rich, ending pro-business tax break programs and effectively re-imposing New York's stock transfer tax, which is currently rebated. Finally, he would create jobs by spending public money on green infrastructure—the “Green New Deal.”

New York Observer: Howie Hawkins Says ‘It’s Open’ Whether Zephyr Teachout Will Back Him

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor and the self-described “last progressive” in the race, said today he recently had a conversation with liberal darling Zephyr Teachout about a possible endorsement.

“We talked about a week ago for a half hour. Good conversation, on issues, how to advance the politics of the state. I got the impression she’s not going to endorse Cuomo and it’s open whether she’ll endorse me,” Mr. Hawkins told the Observer outside a criminal courthouse in Manhattan where he was holding a campaign event.

“She’s making her own political calculations. I would welcome her support and I’m really working hard to get the people that voted for her in the primary to vote for me in the general because I’m the last progressive on the ballot,” he added....

The third place finisher in that Democratic primary, comedian Randy Credico, already endorsed Mr. Hawkins. With more money, staff and name recognition than when he ran for office four years ago, Mr. Hawkins is hoping an unexpectedly strong showing can boost the standing of his party and liberals in New York State.

 

October 9, 2014

The Graduate Center Advocate: Graduate Center Student Runs for Political Office: Q & A with Brian P. Jones

 

A longtime member of the International Socialist Organization, Jones is running as an independent with the Green Party of New York State. Jones taught elementary school in New York City public schools for nine years prior to pursuing his PhD and has been active in the struggle against the privatization of education, budget cuts, and school closures. He is one of the founding members of the Movement of Rank and File Educators and co-narrated the film The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman. His current research focuses on the history and politics of the black struggle for education in the United States. Francisco Fortuño Bernier conducted this interview on 18 September, 2014.

Time Warner Cable News: Howie Hawkins Tours PA Fracking Sites

Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins took his campaign across the border Thursday, focusing on one of his main platforms, stopping hydrofracking in New York. Alexa Green was on hand as he toured several natural gas drilling sites in northeastern Pennsylvania.

WITV, News Channel 34, Binghamton: Green Party gubernatorial candidate takes anti-fracking tour

The Green Party's gubernatorial candidate and former Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan took an anti-fracking tour Thursday. They were joined by several other fractivists and Green Party members.

Howie Hawkins said he is the only candidate in the race who is really opposed to the drilling process.

Hawkins and the small crew went to several spots in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania where fracking operations have been done or are currently in process. They talked with people who live nearby. 

"I've come to see what may be in store for New York if fracking is permitted. We've got all of the infrastructure for fracking up in New York State, even the waste from here is getting dumped up in New York State, permitted by our Governor, Governor Cuomo," said Hawkins.

AP: Debate set for New York governor's race

A date is set for a debate in New York's governor's race. The debate is scheduled for Oct. 22 in Buffalo. It will feature Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican Rob Astorino, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott. The debate is sponsored by The Buffalo News and WNED/WBFO of Buffalo and will be televised.

AP: New York’s race for governor coming to Buffalo

The New York governor candidates debate is scheduled to take place on Oct. 22 in Buffalo. The October debate will include Howie Hawkins, Michael McDermott, Rob Astorino and Gov. Andrew Cuomo. This is likely to be the only debate prior to the Nov. 4 election because Astorino refused to participate in a debate over the radio, offered by Cuomo in favor of a televised debate.

Central New York Vision: Gov. Cuomo and Kathy Hochul Visit Southwest Community Center

October 8, 2014

Capital Tonight: Hawkins on Higher Poll Numbers, Debates

Wednesday’s Quinnipiac poll showed Andrew Cuomo still far ahead in the race for governor, with 51-percent of voters supporting him and Rob Astorino getting 31-percent. And the poll also showed Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins getting nine-percent of the vote – which his campaign says is a record high for a progressive third party candidate. Hawkins joined us to talk more about his campaign and the upcoming fracking tour.

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: For lieutenant governor, Green Party's Hawkins chose education activist

When Howie Hawkins began his second run for governor as a member of the Green Party, he says he found education to be a key issue, so that’s where he looked for a running mate.

"We had a checklist of items that would make the ideal candidate," he said. "And my running mate, Brian Jones, he added to the list. He checked every box."

AP: Only one debate planned for NY governor's race

It looks like New York voters will have only a single opportunity to see the candidates debate before this year's gubernatorial election. Republican Rob Astorino says he won't accept an invitation to a one-on-one public radio debate with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo that was tentatively set for later this month. That leaves a single televised debate in Buffalo with Cuomo, Astorino, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott.

Syracuse Post-Standard: How Cuomo raised $22 million from 331 donors

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has raised nearly $45 million this campaign cycle -- and $22 million of that came from 331 donors, according to an analysis from the New York Public Interest Group.

Read another way, 81 percent of Cuomo's donors gave $10,000 or more, the report says. Less than 7 percent came from donors giving less than $1,000. [Actually, 0.72 percent came from donors of less than $1,000.]

What about Republican challenger Rob Astorino's money tales?

Jimmy Vielkind @JimmyVielkind: NYPIRG's @mahoneyw crunched the #nygov fund-raising numbers. @RobAstorino has had 17 donors give more than $40K; Cuomo has had 331 

A new poll out this morning shows Cuomo's lead just 20 points over Astorino; this new poll includes Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who is drawing 9 percent of the state's vote.

WNBF radio, Binghamton: Hawkins To Tour Pennsylvania Fracking Sites

Speaking on WNBF Radio’s Binghamton Now program Wednesday, Hawkins said he’ll visit northern Pennsylvania with anti-fracking activists....

The Syracuse resident said he’s seen fracking sites from a distance as he traveled on Interstate 81. Hawkins said he “thought a spaceship had landed” as he witnessed the nighttime scene of gas being flared from a well. He said the “whole sky was lit up” by the flaring process....

Hawkins said he’ll be joined in the Susquehanna County tour by former Binghamton mayor Matthew Ryan, an outspoken fracking opponent.

Quinnipiac University Poll: Women Give Gov. Cuomo Big Lead in New York, Quinnipiac University Poll Finds

A 32 percentage point lead among women propels New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to a 51-31 percent lead over Westchester County Executive, Rob Astorino, the Repulican challenger, with 9 percent for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. With Hawkins out of the race, Gov. Cuomo leads Astorino 55-34 percent, the independent Quinnipiac University poll finds. This survey of likely voters can not be compared to prior surveys of registered voters.

In the three-way match up, women back Cuomo over Astorino 54 – 25 percent, with 8 percent for Hawkins. Men support Cuomo over Astorino by a slight 44-39 percent, with 10 percent for Hawkins. Cuomo leads Astorino 80-4 percent among Democrats, with 8 percent for Hawkins, and 44-33 percent among independent voters, with 15 percent for Hawkins. Repuplicans back Astorino over Cuomo 43-27 percent, with one percent for Hawkins.

New York Post: Women bolster Cuomo's big lead in polls

Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo holds a commanding lead in the governor race — thanks to women. Female voters back Cuomo over Republican rival Rob Astorino by 32 percentage points — 57 percent to 25 percent, a Quinnipiac University poll found Wednesday. Among men, Cuomo leads by just five points — 44 percent to 39 percent. Overall, Cuomo leads Astorino 51 percent to 31 percent with 9 percent preferring Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

WWNY TV 7, Fox, Norther NY: New Poll Shows Cuomo With 20-Point Lead

A new poll suggests New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo can thank female voters for the commanding lead he has over Republican Rob Astorino. The Quinnipiac University survey released Wednesday gives the Democratic incumbent 51 percent of the vote, with Astorino getting 31 percent, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins picking up 9 percent. Cuomo leads Astorino by 32 points among female voters. Men favor Cuomo too, but by a five point margin.

Capital Tonight Morning Memo: Q-Poll: Cuomo 51, Astorino 31

Gov. Andrew Cuomo leads his Republican opponent Rob Astorino by 20 percentage points, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released on Wednesday morning. The poll found Cuomo receives the support of 51 percent of voters polled compared to Astorino’s 31 percent. Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, received 9 percent. 

Without Hawkins in the race, Cuomo leads 55 percent to 34 percent. Cuomo’s lead in the August Quinnipiac poll was wider, when the governor led Astornio 56 percent to 28 percent. Hawkins was not included in that poll.

Gotham Gazettte: The Eye-Opener: Cuomo Eyes Second Term Trade Travel

Speaking of that re-election, a new poll shows Cuomo with a 20-point lead over his closest rival, Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. According to the poll, Cuomo leads Astorino 51-31 percent, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins at 9 precent. Cuomo does not seem likely to get the backing of former primary rival Zephyr Teachout, who told Gotham Gazette Tuesday of endorsing Cuomo, "It's hard to see it happening," and cited his lack of support for Democratic State Senate candidates as a key reason.

WNYT, NBC, Channel 13, Albany: Gubernatorial candidate to speak at Siena College

Howie Hawkins of the Green Party says the two party system has failed New Yorkers.

WNYT, NBC Channel 13, Albany: Gov. Cuomo stumps at Plug Power

But he and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins said there needs to be more debates to answer these questions and settle their differences. But they say the governor has not been willing to face off.

"That just shows the contempt he has. It also shows he's deathly afraid," Astorino said.

"I want more debates. One debate is not enough to cover all the issues of the four candidates in an hour," said Hawkins.

Auburn Citizen: Consentino: Could Cuomo become a 'minority' governor?

The wild card is still the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins. The question is whether those who voted for Professor Teachout will go to him, stick with the governor because he is a Democrat, or just stay at home. In the end, a combination of the first and last, along with a strong showing by Mr. Astorino, could still allow the governor to win, but get less than 50 percent of the vote.

Albany Times Union: 331 big donors boosting Cuomo

What's one way to make nearly $45 million?

Raking in donations of $40,000 or more from more than 300 people is a good way to start.

A New York Public Interest Research Group analysis released Tuesday shows Gov. Andrew Cuomo has amassed nearly half the $44.9 million in campaign cash he has raised since December 2010 from just 331 donors.

Albany Times Union: Hawkins wants three debates

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins was in Albany Wednesday, calling for three debates that would include Gov. Andrew Cuomo as well as Rob Astorino.

Hawkins also predicted that Cuomo might allow hydrofracking after the November elections, saying “He’s sitting on the fence until after the elections.” A recent story in Capital NY outlined how Cuomo had edited and delayed an important fracking study. He plans to tour fracking sites in Pennsylvania on Thursday.

Green Party Press Release: NY Green Howie Hawkins to Tour Fracking Sites in Pennsylvania

Howie Hawkins, Green candidate for New York Governor’s race will be taking a tour of fracking sites in Susquehanna County, Pennsylvania on October 9. During the tour Hawkins will visit with the families that have been negatively impacted by fracking. Hawkins has extended an invitation to Gov. Cuomo and the media to witness the impact fracking has upon the land, water and individual health.

Newsday: Liberal candidate for gov offers fresh, big-picture proposal

 

October 7, 2104

Newsday: Port Jefferson Station teachers endorse Green Party candidate for governor

A Long Island teachers’ union local unit that has been critical of Democrat Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has endorsed the Green Party candidate for governor.

The Port Jefferson Station Teachers Association will back Howie Hawkins, according to his campaign.

The local union has criticized the controversial Common Core academic standards and tests, which Cuomo backs, and endorsed liberal critic Zephyr Teachout in the September Democratic primary. So its decision to back Hawkins isn’t a surprise.

Independent Media Central New York: SOS! Save Our Public Schools - Brian Jones, Green Candidate for Lt. Governor, Speaks Out in Syracuse (Video)

“Public education in New York is under attack during Cuomo’s tenure as governor. New York schools are the most segregated schools in the country and they’re woefully underfunded. Additionally, the Common Core based test-and-punish regime currently being pushed in schools can be used to hold students back, deny them diplomas, fire teachers, and close schools. Instead of the privatization schemes pushed by Cuomo and Republican candidate Rob Astorino, Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones are calling for fully funded, quality public education, qualitative assessments instead of the punitive high stakes testing model, and an end to the attack on teacher’s unions.”

Syracuse Post-Standard: Live chat with Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, Green Party candidates for governor, lieutenant governor

Transcript of hour long live chat.

CNYCentral.com, CBS/NBC/Fox, Syracuse: Hawkins and Jones call for increased state funding for schools

The Green Party gubernational team of Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones called Tuesday for full funding of New York State schools. Hawkins and Jones, an elementary school teacher in NYC for 9 years, have been endorsed by teacher and parent organizations, as well as education advocate Diane Ravitch.

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Candidates Focus on Education

The Green Party ticket said its time to boost funding, while changing the way that money is distributed to school systems across New York.

"We need, rather than a competitive system, pitting schools against each other over test scores, we need a system that embraces all children. We need to move toward a system that it actually really doesn't matter that much where you send your child, because the schools are more or less the same. You can expect the same high level of quality, no matter where you cross that school threshold. And, right now, in this state, it matters a lot where you send your child," said Brian Jones.

Time Warner Cable News: Two Republican County Executives Endorse Gov. Cuomo

Cuomo still has some work to do on his left flank, however. He faced a surprisingly strong challenge from little-known Fordham Law School professor Zephyr Teachout, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins faults him for not doing more on school funding.

"When Cuomo says we spend more per capita, the fact is a lot of school districts are grossly underfunded," Hawkins said.

Hawkins said he would seek to increases taxes, especially on the wealthy, to help fund education.

"What we would do is restore full funding, the full foundation aid that is court ordered and constitutionally mandated by this state and we would do it be restoring progressive taxation," said Hawkins.

Gotham Gazette: Teachout on Cuomo Endorsement: 'It's hard to see it happening'

There seems to be a chance Teachout could endorse Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, whose stances on many issues, including fracking, closely align with Teachout's.

AP: NY governor's race may feature just 1 debate

New York voters may have only a single opportunity to see the candidates debate before this year's gubernatorial election. Republican Rob Astorino says he won't accept an invitation to a one-on-one public radio debate with Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo that was tentatively set for later this month.

That leaves a single televised debate in Buffalo with Cuomo, Astorino, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott.

Albany Times Union: A.M. Roundup

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a debate: Tucked away in a Monday statement from Rob Astorino was the nugget that the Republican candidate has accepted the chance to debate Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a televised event sponsored by the Buffalo News and WNED, the Western New York public broadcaster. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian nominee Michael McDermott will join in. No date has been set.

Albany Times Union: 331 big donors boosting Cuomo; $22.2 million lift from business, financial elite

What's one way to make nearly $45 million?

Raking in donations of $40,000 or more from more than 300 people is a good way to start.

A New York Public Interest Research Group analysis released Tuesday shows Gov. Andrew Cuomo has amassed nearly half the $44.9 million in campaign cash he has raised since December 2010 from just 331 donors. As a percentage of the candidate's campaign haul, Cuomo's big-money donations of more than $40,000 dwarf those brought in by Republican Rob Astorino — who snagged just 17 donors with that kind of generosity.

According to NYPRIG, Cuomo has raked in $22,191,108 from big-money donors so far, or 49 percent of all his donations in this election cycle. In contrast, donors to the Cuomo campaign who gave less than $1,000 represented the smallest percentage — just $324,075, or 0.72 percent.

The largest number of Cuomo donors (1,794) gave between $1,000 and $2,600.

The list of Cuomo's most munificent backers includes powerful names. At the top was Leonard Litwin, a 99-year-old billionaire real estate developer who gave $1 million through various holdings. Prominent corporate names include Cablevision and its holdings ($250,000), the engineering consulting firm Clough Harbor & Associates ($150,000), Comcast/NBC ($121,600) and CBS ($65,000).

Other notable individual donors include billionaire financier Carl Icahn ($50,000), and billionaire supermarket mogul and former New York City mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis ($89,165) and his wife, Margo ($46,396).

Journal News, Lower Hudson Valley: For Cuomo, 81 percent gave $10,000 or more

Large donors have fueled Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign warchest, with 81 percent of his money coming from people who gave him $10,000 or more, a report by the New York Public Interest Research Group said today. Nearly 50 percent of Cuomo’s donors gave $40,000 or more, NYPIRG said after a review of campaign filings Friday.

WXXI, NPR, Rochester: Plans Finalized for Gubernatorial Debate in Buffalo

Four candidates for New York governor will face off in a debate in Buffalo on Wednesday, October 22. 

The 60-minute debate, "Election '14: The Race for Governor," sponsored by WNED|WBFO and The Buffalo News, will be held at the WNED|WBFO studios in downtown Buffalo at 8 p.m. 

The debate, which will be offered to public radio and television stations across the state….

The debate will include Republican Rob Astorino, Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Michael McDermott. It will be the only televised debate in the 2014 gubernatorial race.

Buffalo News: Gubernatorial debate set for Oct. 22 in Buffalo

Plans for a debate among two major and two minor party candidates for governor has been finalized for Oct. 22 in Buffalo, and could be the only face-to-face encounter of the 2014 gubernatorial campaign.

The Buffalo News and WNED/WBFO of Buffalo announced Tuesday that they will co-sponsor the hourlong event at the Ch. 17 studios in Buffalo, to be broadcast statewide on the PBS network, New York’s public radio stations, and streamed live on BuffaloNews.com.

The 8 p.m. debate will be broadcast locally on WNED-TV and WBFO-FM 88.7.

Invitations have been accepted by incumbent Democratic Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo and Republican Rob Astorino, as well as Howie Hawkins of the Green Party and Libertarian Michael McDermott.

Read Media.com: The Capital Connection, Oct. 7, 2014, by Alan Chartock

There aren't enough union voters or progressives who want more spending to vote against Cuomo and even if they wanted to vote for someone other than Cuomo, who would they vote for? Of course there is the Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, who is polling rather well for a Greenie. But there is no way Hawkins is going to win because he won't be getting many Republican votes.

In the end, crafty Machiavellian Cuomo had the tax thing all figured out. I guarantee that if he runs for President, he'll use the same playbook.

NCC News, Newhouse School, Syracuse University: Howie Hawkins' Green New Deal

Hawkins is running for a second time to become governor of New York. His impressive 2010 election put the Green Party of New York back on the ballot. Hawkins hopes this second go at the governor’s race will induce more debate on important issues and put the Green Party as a viable option to the traditional two party system. 

 

October 6, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins, Green Party gubernatorial candidate, meets the editorial board (Video)

Hawkins is running on the same platform: a "Green New Deal'' that includes a $15 minimum wage, a WPA-style jobs program to reach full employment and a more progressive tax structure that includes restoring the stock transfer tax.

He's in favor of opting out of the Common Core state learning standards, banning hydrofracking and converting the state's fossil fuel infrastructure to "green'' sources of energy like solar. He would revisit the NY SAFE Act to better balance public safety and the rights of gun owners.

Rather than give businesses incentives to stay or expand, Hawkins would help them by cutting property taxes, lowering energy costs and taking health care costs out of their hands entirely by creating a statewide single-payer system.

In addition to scrapping the Common Core, Hawkins would improve schools by restoring aid cut during the state's economic downturn, encouraging desegregation through voluntary interdistrict transfers and returning curriculum decisions to local school boards.

New York Environment Report: Howie Hawkins & Green Party Challenge to Cuomo: We Need a “Green New Deal”

...in an election year that has been dominated by environmental issues like fracking, the ongoing recovery from Hurricane Sandy, and what to do about climate change, the Green Party candidate for Governor, Howie Hawkins, is resolutely carrying his message across the state….

Hawkins is proposing that New York State switch entirely to renewable sources of energy by 2030. A conversion of this scope would not only create jobs, Hawkins says, it would also make energy more affordable.

Hawkins also argues that the state’s public sector can be rebuilt without raising taxes on the vast majority of New Yorkers. This includes New York’s lead environmental agency, the Department of Environmental Conservation, which has lost hundreds of staff members in the last four years.

Albany Times-Union: All candidates should debate

Third-party candidates like Howie Hawkins of the Green Party must be included in all debates, and they need to be televised. A New York Now poll found 96 percent of respondents agreed. From being a real working man for higher wages, dropping high stakes testing, fairer tax policy, workers’ rights, full clean energy and a fairer political process without candidates being excluded, Hawkins is the only progressive choice on the ballot.

NY State of Politics: A Debate Was Actually Agreed To Today

Team Astorino buried the lede earlier today in its Putin-better-on-debating-than-Cuomo news release: The Republican’s gubernatorial campaign has agreed “tentatively” to one televised debate in Buffalo that the Cuomo campaign signed up for late last month.

The debate would be broadcast on public television and sponsored by The Buffalo News. It would include Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott.

WBFO, NPR, Buffalo: Green Party Lieutenant Governor candidate visits Buffalo

New York's Green Party is pressing hard against Governor Cuomo from his political left as it seeks to hold its place on the election ballot."We have to return to a more progressive tax structure," said Brian Jones, the Green Party candidate for Lieutenant Governor….

Jones is a veteran New York City teacher now doing graduate work on urban education. Speaking to WBFO's Chris Jamele, Jones challenged the current wealth structure in New York. [Includes 4:33 minute audio interview]

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Hawkins pushing $15 minimum wage in race for governor

"The economy is 2.7 times more productive per capita," he said. "In other words, as workers, we produce almost three-times more for every hour we work, but our wages have been stagnant. The economy can afford to pay us a living wage."

Hawkins made his case to a wage board from the state labor department taking comments on whether to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers.

He also says the state needs to crack down on wage theft.

"We know from national studies that one-third of low wage workers experience wage theft every week. We have a two year, 15,000 case backlog in New York state," he said. 

Hawkins says more money in people’s pockets will increase buying power and offset the increased overhead for employers.

Tory Record: Siena poll shows Amedore leads Thaczyk by 10 points in 46th Senate district

The district covers all or parts of five counties, from Montgomery down to Ulster….

Meanwhile, in the race for governor, the poll found voters in this district favored Republican Rob Astorino over incumbent Democrat Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo by a 43-35 percent margin, with 11 percent for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

“This is the first state senate or congressional district Siena has polled where Astorino leads Cuomo,” Greenberg said. “Astorino leads among Republicans bigger than Cuomo does with Democrats, largely because 17 percent of Democrats say they’re supporting Hawkins. And Astorino – who has a break even favorability rating – has a 13-point lead with independents over Cuomo – who has a two-to-one negative favorability rating.

Poughkeepsie Journal: Monday's News Summary, Oct. 6. 2014

Dutchess County Legislator Sue Serino, R-Hyde Park, is leading state Sen. Terry Gipson, D-Rhinebeck, by 12 points in the race to represent the 41st state Senate District, according to a Siena College poll. In the district, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a slight lead over his challenger, Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, 45 to 42 percent, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins garnering seven percent, according to the poll.

EmpireStateNews.net: Republicans lead incumbent first-term Democrats in three State Senate races

Three State Senate Democrats are facing their first reelections…. The Siena College poll looks at all three races.

Seeking his first reelection, incumbent Democrat Terry Gipson is facing a 12-point deficit against Republican challenger Susan Serino, who leads 52-40 percent, according to a new Siena College poll of likely voters in the 41st Senate District, covering parts of Dutchess and Putnam Counties. Governor Andrew Cuomo is slightly edging Rob Astorino 45-42 percent, with seven percent for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins….

In a rematch of the closest State Senate election from 2012, Republican challenger George Amedore leads incumbent Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk 52-42 percent, according to a new Siena College poll of likely voters in the 46th Senate District, covering all or parts of five counties, from Montgomery down to Ulster. Astorino leads Cuomo 43-35 percent, with 11 percent for Hawkins….

Republican challenger Rich Funke enjoys a comfortable 25-point, 57-32 percent lead over incumbent Democratic freshman Ted O’Brien, according to a new Siena College poll of likely voters in the 55th Senate District, covering parts of Monroe and Ontario Counties. Cuomo leads Astorino by 10 points, 47-37 percent, with seven percent for Hawkins.

Legislative Gazette: Hawkins: Let everyone debate and televise it

In a phone conference with reporters, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins stressed the importance of having the opportunity to debate the incumbent Andrew Cuomo and the Republican challenger Rob Astorino.

During the conference, Hawkins said there is a need for an independent commission in New York state that would ensure debate opportunities for all candidates, or at least clear guidelines spelled out by campaign finance laws.

Hawkins also supports the creation of a full public campaign financing system that would also be granted power to set the schedule and terms of debates. "Until now, we've been seeing Cuomo setting all the terms," Hawkins said.

Rochester City Newspaper: The Week Ahead…the Green Party's Brian Jones is in town

Brian Jones, the Green Party’s candidate for lieutenant governor, will be in Rochester today for an education forum. The event is from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at Inner Faith Tabernacle, 32 York Street.

Jones, who is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, will kick off the event by discussing the candidates’ education platform. Then a panel of education activists will lead a discussion of what a progressive urban education system should look like, according to a press release. The panel includes activist and retired Rochester city school district teacher Howard Eagle, and Carla Walker, a city resident and parent activist.

 

October 5, 2014

New York Times: At Churches in Brooklyn and Queens, Cuomo Leaves Campaign Bubble

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party’s candidate for governor, also tried, unsuccessfully, to attend the rally in Syracuse. Mr. Hawkins said he had been turned away by representatives of Mr. Cuomo, without explanation. “They weren’t talkative,” he said.

Mr. Hawkins lives in Syracuse and works for U.P.S.; his supporters brought a pedicab to the community center where the governor held his rally.

“I’d have invited him to take a tour around the neighborhood,” Mr. Hawkins said.

 

October 4, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins shut out of Andrew Cuomo campaign event in Syracuse

Video: Howie Hawkins believes his agenda would better help women, especially working women, than one advocated for by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Hawkins, of Syracuse, said he had RSVP'd to the event, as supporters were instructed to do. Other people who didn't register were allowed inside the Southwest Community Center, as long as they showed identification.

But Hawkins was refused entrance to the indoor event. He said he had planned to listen to Cuomo. He was hoping to invite Cuomo for a ride around the South Side neighborhood on a pedicab, Hawkins' answer to Cuomo's bus tour through Upstate today.

Time Warner Cable News: Cuomo Hits the Campaign Trail, Hoes to Build More Support Among Women Voters

The governor and his lieutenant governor candidate took to a bus, cruising the Thruway from Albany, to Syracuse, to Rochester. But they were urging potential voters to refrain from voting for them as Democrats. Instead they came to urge support for the new ballot line -- the Women's Equality Party.

"And we've got a ballot line that's not a party. It's just branding. It's advertising," said Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor.

The Green Party candidate for governor showed up outside the Cuomo event and was prevented from going inside. The primary goal of the new party is supposedly the passage of Cuomo's 10-point women's equality platform. Hawkins argues that could already have happened.

"We could have had 9 of the 10 items on the women's equality agenda, because the Senate was willing to pass it. But they held those items hostage to the 10th item, which is about abortion rights," said Hawkins.

New York Times: Cuomo Pledges 'Progress' in an Second Term, With the Details Still to Come

This week, a researcher for the New York Public Interest Research Group, Bill Mahoney, examined the websites of Mr. Cuomo; Rob Astorino, the Republican candidate for governor; and Howie Hawkins, the Green Party’s nominee in the race, to assess the expansiveness of their respective policy plans.

By Mr. Mahoney’s assessment, Mr. Hawkins led the way with 9,389 words, followed by Mr. Astorino, with 3,264 words. Mr. Cuomo devoted zero words to policy proposals.

WBAI, City Watch: Ramon Jimenez Interview

First 20 minutes of show. Ramon Jimenez, the Green Party candidate for NY Attorney General, discusses the fight to keep Hostos Community College open, clemency for non-violent drug offenders, criminal justice reform, and the failure of the present Attorney General to criminally prosecute those who stole $1 million from Puerto Rican Day parade.

Poughkeepsie Journal: Editorial: Voters deserve televised gubernatorial debates

At this point, a reasonable (and realistic) compromise should be made: The public should be entitled to see at least three televised debates and at least one, if not two, should include Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian nominee Michael McDermott.

 

October 3, 2014

Utica Observer-Dispatch: Hawkins touts his Green New Deal plan for state

Clean energy, raising the minimum wage, legalizing some drugs.

Howie Hawkins says he has a plan for New York. And he outlined that plan Thursday while sitting down with the Observer-Dispatch’s Editorial Board. Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, said his Green New Deal would complete the vision of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal….

Capital Tonight

The latest from the gubernatorial campaigns, an update on the Ebola case in the United States, and a mimimum wage hearing held in Syracuse featuring Green party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Hawkins: Would raise NY minimum wage to $15 an hour if governor

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins today will call for a $15 an hour minimum wage for New Yorkers.Hawkins call for a higher wage rate comes as state officials hold a public hearing on whether to raise the minimum wage for tipped workers…. 

Hawkins, as governor, would eliminate the exemption for tipped workers, as he says seven other states have done.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Live chat with Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, Green Party candidates for governor, lieutenant governor

Join us for a live chat over lunch Tuesday with Green Party candidates Howie Hawkins, running for governor, and Brian Jones, running for lieutenant governor. Hawkins and Jones will take Syracuse.com reader questions together for an hour, starting at 11:30 a.m

Hawkins, of Syracuse, is a well-known voice in progressive politics in Central New York….

Jones is a New York City educator and activist. He wrote in a New York Times opinion piece earlier this year:

"...Teacher tenure laws need to be strengthened because the country is bleeding teachers -- especially in large urban districts. Between 40 and 50 percent of teachers nationwide leave the job within five years. If 40 percent of all doctors or lawyers quit within five years, I'm guessing we wouldn't be asking why they have it so good."

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Syracuse mayor: Maffei, Katko should focus on substance

[Syracuse Mayor Stephanie] Miner says New Yorkers should be able to hear more from the Green Party candidate for governor, but she stopped short of advocating for him to be included in all debates…. she says voters would benefit from having the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins on stage.

"Howie is articulate, brings a point of view and has a real policy-based campaign," she said. "And I think that the voters of the entire state would be better off served if they heard more policy-based arguments and discussion in the debates."

Longtime Syracuse resident Hawkins is running for governor for the second time. He’s won support from a quarter of Syracuse residents, according to a recent Siena College poll.

Huffington Post: "In 'Politics Before People,' Andrew Cuomo 'Exceeds Proficiency Standard'" by Alan Singer

The state teachers' unions, which traditionally endorse Democrats, are sitting out this election campaign. Recently NYSUT announced endorsements and refused to name a candidate for Governor. This will cost Cuomo both money and manpower in the campaign.

Educational advocate Diane Ravitch, who worked in the earlier Bush administration and with Bill Clinton, has endorsed Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate challenged Cuomo in the general election.

Capital New York: Howie Hawkins raising more money than 2010

Howie Hawkins has raised more than five times the amount of money for his 2014 gubernatorial run as he did for his effort four years ago, which he says is a sign that his candidacy is being taken more seriously.

“More people take us as a credible campaign, so they're willing to give us contributions,” Hawkins said by phone, ducking out of a state board that is holding a hearing on whether or not to raise the minimum wage for workers who rely on tips. (Hawkins thinks all workers should be paid at least $15.)

“I don't know what the average numbers were compared to July, where my average contribution was a hundredth that of Andrew Cuomo's. But the better we do, the more people want to support us,” he said.

Capital New York: Astorino and Hawkins latch on to Cuomo's upstate bus tour

Governor Andrew Cuomo will spend Saturday on an three-city upstate bus tour, and his opponents plan to give him some company.

The Cuomo-created Women's Equality Party will conduct the tour with stops in Albany, Syracuse and Rochester, where Cuomo and his running mate, Kathy Hochul, will continue their push to sew up the women's vote and highlight the contrast between their position on abortion rights and that of Republican candidate Rob Astorino.

On Friday, Astorino's campaign announced it will be tailing the bus in a van, attacking Cuomo for quietly standing by Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver as he took heat for sexual assault scandals in his chamber.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins said he would invite Cuomo on a Pedicab tour of a decrepit neighborhood in Syracuse.

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Cuomo bus tour hits Rochester Saturday

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins said he'll hold his own event when Cuomo comes to Syracuse and "offer to give Cuomo a pedal-powered tour of his Syracuse neighborhood to see firsthand how Cuomo's policies are exasperating inequality."

Time Warner Cable News: New Drive to Push Tipped Workers' Wage Higher in NYS

"The major parties, they keep giving tax cuts to the rich. Trickle down. It don't trickle down," said Howie Hawkins, a candidate for governor.

Even a candidate for governor, pressing for a higher minimum wage, urged the wage board to consider a change.

"We need a bottom up approach. And, you know, if you're an employer, you may have small business. You may have five employees. You got to pay them more, but you may have 500 customers who've got more money to spend at your business," said Hawkins. 

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Says Cuomo Will Continue Austerity Budgets

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins criticized Gov. Andrew Cuomo for a letter sent out by his budget chief this week that calls on agency heads to submit spending plans that show no increase in year-over-year spending.

“During Cuomo’s first four years, he has been starving local schools, state workers, teachers, local government, and essential programs of needed funding in order to support lower taxes, handouts and subsidies for his wealthiest campaign contributors. His directive shows that his second term will just be more of the same failed economic policies that has left many New Yorkers in a recession,” Hawkins said in a statement.

 

October 2, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins: Tip workers need a pay raise from NY (Commentary)

As governor, I would use the Wage Board to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour. The 1963 March on Washington demanded a $2 minimum wage. Today that would be $15.55 when adjusted for inflation.

I agree with groups like the National Organization for Women and the Food Chain Workers Alliance that want to eliminate the tip deduction that allows employers to pay tipped workers less than the minimum wage. Seven states have already ended this sub-minimum wage. The poverty rate among tipped workers is one-third lower in these states than in those that didn't make the change. Among workers of color, it is one-half lower.

 

October 1, 2014

Auburn Citizen: Our view: Cuomo playing games with debates

The Green Party is not a one-and-done publicity stunt. Its backers have a very specific platform that resonates with people all over the country, and their candidates need to be included in the entire election process....

Having just one televised debate in a state of nearly 20 million people is not enough of an opportunity for voters to really get to know the differences between their choices for governor. Cuomo should agree to more debates. And Astorino, Hawkins, McDermott and Cohn should all be allowed to participate in them.

Albany Times Union: Debate spins whirl gubernatorial races

"Once again, we're having the perennially inane debate about debates," said Hawkins, who as things stand would be included in the Buffalo debate along with Libertarian nominee Michael McDermott.

"What we really need is an independent commission ... that could set up a series of debates," said Hawkins….

Hawkins called the two newly proposed debates a step up from those of four years ago, though he acknowledges that was a low bar to clear.

"When (former Minnesota governor) Jesse Ventura ran and was elected after being lower in the polls than I am now before debates, there were eight debates in the state," Hawkins said. "Ventura was able to persuade the voters that he was the best candidate. That's needed to counteract that selling of elections.

"Cuomo's got all this money," he said, referring to the governor's formidable $25 million campaign war chest. "He's spinning his image in the media with paid advertising that the rest of us can't come close to competing with. That is not an interactive debate. That is just advertising, and that's no way to run elections."

WNYF, Fox, Channel 7, Watertown: Green Party Candidate For Governor Visits Watertown

"I'm representing the 99 percent of us who work for a living and the other two parties are representing the 1 percent and they're bought and paid for and the political representatives of the 1 percent do what the 1 percent wants that paid for their campaigns," said Hawkins.

Socialist Worker: The Greens are gaining steam in New York

HOWIE HAWKINS' Green Party campaign for New York governor is surpassing expectations--and raising the banner of social justice during an otherwise dismal election season.

With a little over a month to go before the election, Hawkins and Brian Jones, who is running for lieutenant governor, have made strides in pulling together a bloc of people and organizations fed up with the status quo under Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo--at a time when, according to a Wall Street Journal/Marist poll, nearly half of New Yorkers think the state is moving in the wrong direction.

Newsday: Newsday/News 12/Siena College poll – State Senate District 7

Do you have a favorable opinion or an unfavorable opinion of Howie Hawkins? If the election for governor was held today, who would you vote for if the candidates were Cuomo, Astorino, and Hawkins?

New York Observer: Bronx Pols Seek New Rules for Disclosing Evidence in Criminal Cases

Joining the Democrats was Ramon Jimenez, a Harvard-educated attorney who has long acted as an advocate and activist in the Bronx–and who is now challenging Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman on the Green Party line. Mr. Jimenez pressed the overarching racial issues even harder than his predecessors at the podium outside the courthouse.

“We stand on the steps of a building that I sometimes call ‘the house of pain.’ I call it the ‘house of pain’ because every step in the criminal justice process is prejudiced and discriminating against us. Every aspect, every aspect, whether to go to trial, plea bargaining, sentencing, parole, probation, the whole criminal justice system stinks!” Mr. Jimenez said. “Beyond this cause, we need real, dramatic change in the criminal justice system.”

 

September 30, 2014

Acronym TV: Corporations Causing Climate Change Should Be Taken Over By The Public | Howie Hawkins Interview

Howie Hawkins, Green Party Candidate for N.Y. Governor, sits down with Dennis Trainor, Jr. of Acronym TV on the eve of the largest Climate march in history to discuss his campaign. 4:15 minute interview.

Daily Orange: Students, New York gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins rally for divestment at SU

Around 80 members of the Syracuse University community gathered on the steps of Hendricks Chapel Tuesday afternoon with one goal: to end the university’s reliance on fossil fuels. They were joined by Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, who was the final speaker of the rally and spoke for about six minutes.

“You can make a difference. Don’t ever believe you can’t. So keep on keepin’ on,” Hawkins said….

“I want to divest the whole damn economy from fossil fuels,” Hawkins said.

Newsday: Lane Filler: Governor's race and Potemkin politics

There are minor parties in the race representing ideas. You can tell because they have their own candidates. Howie Hawkins -- a beacon of sanity in the 2010 gubernatorial debate that featured Jimmy "Rent Is 2 Damn High" McMillan -- is running for the Earth-loving Greens.

NY State of Politics: Not Exactly a Campaign of Ideas

It’s been nearly a month since the general election season officially kicked off and so, far at least, there has been little airing from either candidate as to what they would do for the next four years.

Instead, both campaigns of Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Republican rival Rob Astorino have traded barbs either through surrogates, TV commercials or in opposition research made to paint the other guy as corrupt.

Consider this chart from the brilliant Bill Mahoney of the New York Public Interest Research Group, showing how many words on the campaign websites are devoted actual policy ideas for the next four-year term:

At this point, the wonk of the race is Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Albany Times Union: Hawkins: Put the debates on TV and include me in all of 'em

Howie Hawkins has something to say about the debate about debates.

The Green Party candidate for governor held a conference call with reporters Tuesday morning to call for approval of an independent commission — part of campaign finance system — to set up debates for governor and for inclusion in the debate proposed by the Wall Street Journal and WNYC and also for that debate to be televised.

AP: Hawkins: all NY gov debates should be televised

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says the debates in the New York governor's race should be televised and should include all candidates qualified for the ballot.

New York Public Radio: Debates Still in Flux

“We’re not raising the kind of money Cuomo is, but we’re raising enough money to put field staff out,” said Hawkins, who says he has a daily public campaign schedule.  “We’re running as serious a campaign as we can.”

Hawkins says ideally he would like to see an initial debate featuring all of the candidates on the ballot, and then ask the public to decide which candidates they’d like to see again in subsequent debates.

Albany Times Union: Dem report: Astorino's 'pay-to-play' contributions

While Cuomo and Astorino are busy bashing each other, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is bashing both. From his campaign:

Green gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins responded today to reports from both the Cuomo and Astorino campaigns about the other candidate engaging in pay-to-play contracts given to major campaign contributors.

“For once Cuomo and Astorino are both right — and both guilty. They are both right about the other participating in pay-to-play contributions-for-contracts. They are both hypocrites for calling out the other for unethical transactions in which they themselves participate,” Hawkins said.

Gannett: Cuomo, Astorino trade barbs over pay to play

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins labeled Astorino and Cuomo as "hypocrites," saying their campaigns are both fueled by big-money interests. He said the state needs a broad public-campaign-financing system to limit money in politics.

The Environmental Issue, Media Alliance for People and the Planet, Ithaca College: Gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins envisions a Greener future

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor of New York, spoke Sept. 12 at Ithaca College about the need to unify people to make positive political change.

 

September 29, 2014

Buffalo News: Hawkins sees gubernatorial run propelling Green Party

When Howie Hawkins ran for governor in 2010, his fledgling Green Party scored a significant milestone by netting enough votes to qualify for “permanent” ballot status – barely.

Now Hawkins is scoring as high as 9 percent in some polls, and the longtime Syracuse activist is hoping this year’s candidacy will further cement his Greens as a force in state politics.

Hornell Evening News: Hawkins brings Green dream to Alfred

Green Party candidate for Governor of New York State Howie Hawkins brought an "out of the box" style of looking at public policy issues to the streets of Alfred Sunday. In addition to Alfred, Hawkins made campaign stops Sunday at Pollywogg Holler in Phillips Creek and a private residence in Hinsdale….

Hawkins believes that he has a distinct advantage over his opponents on the issues of tax fairness, school funding and energy, insisting his policies would free up funding to address those issues.

CBS New York: Astorino's New TV Spot Mimics 1964 'Daisy Girl' Ad To Attack Cuomo

A recent poll shows Cuomo continuing to hold a big lead over Astorino. Fifty-four percent of likely voters in the survey support Cuomo’s re-election bid. Twenty-nine percent favor Astorino and nine percent back Hawkins.

 

September 28, 2014

Utica Observer Dispatch: Our View: Candidates can help effect change in voting attitudes

Astorino and Cuomo seem to be locked in a battle over which candidate can come up with the nuttiest advertisement. Recently, Astorino accused Cuomo of killing unicorns, locking Santa Claus in a chimney and pushing Humpty Dumpty off a wall. Cuomo, meanwhile, implied that Astorino would be a lousy governor because he’s a Miami Dolphins fan. Guess what? Nobody cares. None of this nonsense matters a smidgen to New Yorkers. New Yorkers want jobs. New Yorkers want lower taxes. New Yorkers want safe communities to raise their children. Interestingly enough, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins seems to be sticking to the issues in his mission to become governor. Hmmm. Imagine that. The issues.

New York Times: Activist Is Celebrated at the College He Helped Save

Ramon J. Jimenez insists he does not live in the past, even if his office furniture does. Dingy and worn, it is vintage 1970s décor, evoking the era when he arrived in the South Bronx. He was an Afro-wearing, radical, Harvard-trained lawyer for whom causes and people were more important than billable hours and prestige.

That Mr. Jimenez works above a bar and a tattoo parlor on East 149th Street should be a tip-off that he has not changed. His desk is in the reception area. The walls are covered with portraits of his heroes like Nelson Mandela and Roberto Clemente. He listens to everyone who trudges up the battered, creaky staircase and enters his office with a look of hope or, sometimes, desperation.

A few nights ago, he ventured across the street to celebrate his 66th birthday at Hostos Community College, whose very existence is due, in part, to him. Though he played down his role, others gathered inside the school’s cafeteria to honor him were glad to recall how he helped lead a protest and a 20-day takeover in 1976 that averted the closing of the college because of New York City’s fiscal crisis….

Mr. Jimenez decided this year to accept the nomination to run as the Green Party’s candidate for attorney general….More important, he said, he wanted to make a statement and perhaps inspire some Latino or African-American youngsters to follow in his footsteps.

Herkimer Evening Telegram: Green gov candidate: I'm only progressive running

Hawkins has run for local office many times and it showed during the church appearance. With his white beard and blue blazer, he came off as a regular guy able to speak in number-heavy sound bites on political polls and tax policy. He is running on issues that resonate with the left, including a ban on hydraulic fracturing, a $15 minimum wage and more progressive tax structure (“Tax the Rich - Share the Revenues” reads his web site).

Socialist Alternative: NYC Climate Forum and the Next Steps for Left Politics

More left candidates than in recent memory are running and gaining momentum, from Socialist Alternative’s Jess Spear in Washington State to Green Party member and union activist Howie Hawkins in New York. If prominent figures like Bernie Sanders and Karen Lewis stepped forward to organize a conference, then it would give further momentum to left political action and deepen the debate about the role of the Democrats.

Gotham Gazette: The Week Ahead in New York Politics

Word from the campaign of Gov. Andrew Cuomo is that the governor and his Republican opponent, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, will debate at least twice: once one-on-one over the radio (in New York City via WNYC and The Wall Street Journal) and once along with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and Libertarian Party candidate Michael McDermott on TV from Buffalo. Dates have not been determined yet, but the debates are expected to occur in mid-October. It's unlikely there will be others, and the Astorino campaign is not happy that there likely won't be a one-on-one TV debate. (There are going to be five candidates on the gubernatorial ballot in November, the fifth is Sapient Party candidate Steve Cohn).

 

September 27, 2014

Latin Post: Few New York Latinos Rate President 'Excellent,' Majority Believe State Is in Recession

The latest Marist College Institute for Public Opinion poll revealed 25 percent of New York's Latinos said President Obama has done a "good" job. Seventeen percent of Latinos in New York State said Obama has done an "excellent" job as president. The largest plurality, 32 percent, said his performance has been "fair." Meanwhile, 22 percent of Latinos said he's done a "poor" job….

Among the state's likely voters, 54 percent favored Cuomo to Astorino's 29 percent, while Hawkins received 9 percent. Eight percent of likely voters surveyed were undecided….

Among non-white likely voters, 64 percent would vote for Cuomo, while support for Astorino dropped to 15 percent. Hawkins received 13 percent. Whites also favored Cuomo with 50 percent, but Astorino had better figures with 35 percent. Hawkins received the support of 7 percent of whites.

NY City Lens: The Activist Who Ran for Governor

Having just come out of a primary campaign as candidate for governor of New York, you would think Randy Credico, 60, would take a break from public engagements and accord himself some leisure time. But no; he was still out there, on the campaign trail, sort of. Just recently, for example, he said he had to go to a rally in Albany for Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for New York governor. So Credico wasn’t going to be available for an interview.

AP: Gov. Cuomo agrees to 2 debates in re-election bid

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Saturday that he will participate in two debates ahead of the November election — one in New York City with his GOP opponent and another in Buffalo that would include two third-party candidates, too….

Hawkins, who placed third in the 2010 race, said Cuomo's suggested debate lineup shows he wants to exclude the Green Party from the New York City debate because he may be vulnerable there to a challenge from the left. He said Cuomo is including the third parties in the Buffalo debate to diminish Astorino's chances in more conservative western New York.

"I don't think it's right," Hawkins told The Associated Press. "By any reasonable standard I should be included (in all the debates). The people have a right to hear from all of us. This should be about more than tactics."

NY1, Time Warner Cable News: Cuomo Accepts Debate Invitations

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins also accepted his invitation to participate in the Buffalo debate, but took issue with his exclusion from the downstate debate. Hawkins said in a statement, "The law should be changed so that if you want to run for office in New York State, you have to agree to participate in a series of public debates with all candidates who meet the legal requirements to be on the ballot."

Capital New York: Cuomo accepts two debate invitations

After months of challenges by his Republican and Green party opponents, Governor Andrew Cuomo's campaign publicly accepted invitations to two debates to be held next month.

A one-on-one debate between Cuomo and his Republican opponent, Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, will be held in New York City, sponsored by WNYC and the Wall Street Journal. A second debate, in Buffalo, will feature Cuomo and Astorino as well as Libertarian candidate Michael McDermott and Howie Hawkins, the Green Party nominee. That debate will be sponsored by The Buffalo News and WNED-WBFO….

Hawkins' campaign manager Ursula Rozum said Hawkins has accepted an invitation to the Buffalo debate, but should also be included in the New York City forum because the Green Party has earned a permanent ballot line.

Auburn Citizen: Cuomo accepts invitations to participate in Buffalo, New York City debates

Hawkins, like Astorino, has also called for debates. He received seven percent of the vote in the latest Siena College poll and believes that all candidates, including minor party challengers, should be allowed to participate in the debates.

"Voters are not satisfied with the two choices they hear about from paid ads and the news," Hawkins said in a statement Wednesday. "They want open debates where all the candidates have the opportunity to lay out their vision of how to improve our state. It is time for Cuomo and Astorino to agree to open debates." 

Daily Voice, Rye: Cuomo Agrees To Two Gubernatorial Debates Pending Astorino Acceptance

Precise dates for the mid-October debates were not announced. The debates are scheduled to be held in New York City (between Cuomo and Astorino) and in Buffalo, with Libertarian Party candidate Michael McDermott and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins  joining Cuomo and Astorino, according to the reports.

Newsday: Cuomo, Astorino camps spar again over debates

Democrat Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's campaign said Saturday he is willing to participate in two election debates, but Republican foe Rob Astorino rejected the terms as "insulting to the people of New York State" because their only faceoff would not be televised.

Cuomo's spokesman said the governor agreed to two debates:

A two-way, radio-only encounter with Astorino, the Westchester County executive, in New York City sponsored by WNYC public radio and The Wall Street Journal.

A televised Buffalo debate that would also include the nominees from the Green and Libertarian parties, Howie Hawkins and Mike McDermott sponsored by public media outlets WBFO-WNED and The Buffalo News.

 

September 26, 2014

Diane Ravitch's Blog: My Choice for Governor and Lt. Governor of New York: Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones

I am casting a protest vote for the first time in my life. I am voting for the candidates of the Green Party, Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones. I voted for Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic primary for three reasons: her position on education, on public integrity, and on the environment. And these are the reasons I will cast my ballot in November for the Green Party.

Newsday: Education advocate Diane Ravitch endorses Hawkins for governor

Ravitch was once considered a potential challenger to Cuomo for the liberal Working Families Party. Instead, she supported Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham law professor, who lost to Cuomo in a contentious floor fight for the important minor party endorsement in May.

Hawkins has been seeking to attract Teachout’s supporters since she lost the Democratic primary to Cuomo. In the rematch, she won a surprising 34 percent of the vote to Cuomo’s 62 percent. Teachout hasn’t made any endorsement for the general election.
“I voted for Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic primary for three reasons: Her position on education, on public integrity, and on the environment.,” Ravitch said on her blog Friday. “These are the reasons I will cast my ballot in November for the Green Party.”

NY State of Politics: Ravitch Endorses Hawkins

Diane Ravitch, the education policy expert and advocate who was briefly floated as a possible candidate for governor on the Working Families Party ballot line, has endorsed Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and his running mate, Brian Jones….

Ravitch pointed to Hawkins’ opposition to hydrofracking, support for a full-time Legislature that would ban outside employment for state lawmakers and full foundation aid for public schools.

AP: Siena poll: Cuomo leads Astorino by 29 points

The Siena College survey released Friday shows Cuomo with 56 percent of the vote compared to 27 for Astorino, the Westchester County executive, and 7 percent for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Polls have consistently shown Cuomo well ahead in his bid for a second term. His favorability rating, however, dipped from 57 percent last month to 55 percent, the lowest since Cuomo took office.

NY Daily News: Andrew Cuomo has edge over his gubernatorial challengers with 29-point lead: poll

Cuomo maintains a large 56%-27% lead over Republican challenger Rob Astorino. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is polling at 7%.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo leads Astorino by 29 points, but job performance rating is low, poll says

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has a 29-point lead over Republican challenger Rob Astorino even as he hit his lowest job performance rating as governor, according to a Siena College poll out this morning.

A poll of likely voters put Cuomo ahead of Astorino 56 to 27 percent. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, of Syracuse, had 7 percent of the vote. Ten percent were undecided, the poll said.

New York Public Radio: Cuomo ahead in governor's race, but new polls shows weakness

A new poll finds that six weeks before elections, Gov. Andrew Cuomo maintains a double-digit lead against his Republican opponent, but the governor’s job performance rating has hit an all-time low.

The Siena Research Institute poll finds Cuomo continues to be around 30 points ahead of Republican challenger Rob Astorino, leading 56 to 27 percent. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins received seven percent.

Hornell Evening News; Wellsville Daily Reporter: Hawkins brings campaign to area

The Green Party of Allegany, Steuben and Cattaraugus counties will welcome Green Party New York gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins during three local campaign appearances this Sunday, Sept. 28.

Capital New York: Jimmy McMillan knocked from governor's race

The State Board of Elections has invalidated the Rent is Too Damn High party, ruling unanimously that petitions submitted by perennial schtick candidate Jimmy McMillan contained too many photocopied pages to meet the 15,000 signature threshold.

...Governor Andrew Cuomo, the Democratic incumbent, on Friday suggested any debates in this year's election cycle should include any candidate whose slot on the ballot is legally secured.

After the board's ruling on Friday, that would be Cuomo on the Democratic, Independence, Working Families and Women's Equality lines; Westchester County executive Rob Astorino on the Republican, Conservative and Stop Common Core lines; Howie Hawkins on the Green Party line; Steve Cohn on the Sapient Party line and Michael McDermott on the Libertarian Party line.

Ballot Access News: Rent is 2 Damn High Party, and Life & Justice Party, Removed from New York Gubernatorial Ballot

Politics on the Hudson Blog: Five candidates, 10 ballot lines for NY governor

With Jimmy McMillan getting tossed off the ballot earlier today, the state Board of Elections on Monday will certify five candidates on 10 lines for governor in the Nov. 4 election….

Four years ago, Cuomo insisted all on seven gubernatorial candidates to participate in the one debate he agreed to. Today, he suggested that all candidates on the ballot should again be allowed in the debates -- even as Astorino has called on one-on-one debates. So they all may be coming to a TV near you soon.

NY1, Time Warner Cable News: Cuomo Still Not Committing to Debate Specifics

Teachout, of course, was legally on the ballot as well, but Cuomo seemed to be suggesting that third-party candidates like Howie Hawkins of the Green Party be included, as he insisted on in 2010.

Politics on the Hudson Blog: Cuomo hints at debates with all the candidates

Cuomo added that while it will be up to the campaigns and the proposed sponsors of the debates to decide the ground rules and who is included, he said it’s hard to exclude the third-party candidates, which already includes Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and potentially others.

NY State of Politics: Cuomo Leans Toward Third Party Candidates in Debates

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins has pushed to be included in any televised debates. A Siena College poll released today shows him polling at 7 percent.

But in recent days Astorino has indicated Hawkins should be included in a debate, potentially as Republicans see the chances of the Green Party nominee capturing liberal supporters of Zephyr Teachout, the Fordham Law School professor who challenged Cuomo for the Democratic nomination this month.

“I do believe Howie Hawkins has a role in these debates,” Astorino said this week….

Cuomo in the interview today said the questions over a debate are being worked out by the campaigns “literally as we speak.”

Pressed if Hawkins should be specifically included in the debate, the famously hands-on governor said, “It’s not really up to me.”

NY Daily News: Editorial: The in artful dodger: Cuomo’s debate games demean democracy

After the Daily News and partners proposed a three-way among Cuomo, Astorino and Hawkins, the governor’s campaign suggested The News could partner with WNYC in a radio debate. That didn’t fly here.

 

September 25, 2014

Schenectady Daily Gazette: Editorial: Voters can learn a lot from debates

The two major-party candidates, Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Republican Rob Astorino, haven’t even officially agreed on how many debates will be held, if any. They also haven’t agreed on whether third-party candidates like Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins will be invited to participate. Time is slipping away.

Socialist Worker: What's a 'real' Democrat by Aaron Amaral

Credico seems to share principled concerns around anti-Zionism, anti-racism and anti-corruption with the Green Party campaign of Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones for New York governor and lieutenant governor, which I support, and Guerrero does, too. Credico deserves credit in making a principled decision to support the Hawkins/Jones campaign, even though he ran in the Democratic primary. This is in sharp contrast to Teachout, who has failed to make an endorsement, presumably out of fear for her future in the Democratic Party machine. (Notably, her running mate Tim Wu had no such concerns, and has already endorsed Cuomo.)

 

September 24, 2014

AP: Poll: Gov. Cuomo Maintains Big Lead Over Challenger Rob Astorino

Fifty-four percent of likely voters in the survey support Cuomo’s re-election bid. Twenty-nine percent favor Astorino, the Westchester County executive, and nine percent back Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins….

The survey, released Wednesday, was conducted by Marist College in partnership with The Wall Street Journal and NBC 4 New York.

Capital New York: Cuomo Leads, Falls

CUOMO LEADS, FALLS—New Marist poll shows Cuomo 54-29 lead over Astorino—Wall Street Journal’s Erica Orden: Cuomo holds a wide lead over his Republican challenger even as the governor's job-performance rating has fallen back to its lowest point since taking office, according to the results of a Wall Street Journal/NBC 4 New York/Marist College poll. In the first public poll since the Democratic primary earlier this month, the governor holds a 25-point margin in the race among likely voters, with 54 percent of poll respondents supporting Cuomo, 29 percent supporting Astorino and 9 percent for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. http://on.wsj.com/1rj3cE7

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo on health dept. hydrofracking study -- 'Not going to rush them'

Cuomo holds a 25-point lead over Republican Rob Astorino among likely voters, a new poll from the Wall Street Jounral, Marist and NBC 4 found. (The poll also shows Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, polling at 9 percent statewide.)

WHAM, 1180 AM, Rochester: Cuomo Ahead As Election Draws Near

Fifty-four percent of likely voters in the survey support Cuomo's re-election bid. Twenty-nine percent favor Astorino, and nine percent back Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. The poll also found that Cuomo's approval rating is down to 42 percent among registered voters, matching his lowest rating since taking office.

The Journal News, Lower Hudson Valley: Letter: Include Green Party candidate for governor in debates

This constituency has a right to have its progressive voice represented in any and all upcoming gubernatorial debates.

Among candidates still actively pursuing the governorship, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins of Syracuse may best present this progressive point of view. All New Yorkers, regardless of political persuasion, should look forward to his inclusion in upcoming debates.

Auburn Citizen: Cosentino: Should Hawkins be in the debates?

For Cuomo, it will be hard to say “no” to the Green Party nominee, since four years ago, polling much lower, Hawkins was on the stage with a phalanx of gubernatorial candidates, including Cuomo, who was running for a first term. The results of this month’s Democratic Primary make it clear that Cuomo has soft support on his “left.” What he does not need is someone like Hawkins, who is now touting himself as the one true “progressive” in the race, siphoning off votes – which he will do more easily if he is given a platform to speak from – especially on the issue of hydrofracking, where there is political support to be gained. What “creative” argument could Cuomo use this year to deny such a spot, even though he might reasonably not want Hawkins on the same stage?

Hawkins may not win in November, but he can shake up the race – a reason for both candidates to look at and consider how his being on the same stage with them will impact their own campaigns.

Green Party Watch: Greens turn out in big numbers for People’s Climate March (pics & video)

Green Party members and candidates from across the United States and Canada joined a large Green contingent in the People’s Climate March in New York City on September 21st.

Before the march began, volunteers in Howie Hawkins for NY Governor t-shirts worked the massive crowd, while past and present Green candidates including Jill Stein, Cheri Honkala, Elizabeth May (Canadian Green MP), Howie Hawkins, Brian Jones (Hawkins’ running mate), and Eugene Puryear (for DC City Council) fired up marchers at an impromptu rally.

Over 150 Greens marched with Hawkins, Jones, and Ramon Jimenez (for NY Attorney General), chanting “We are unstoppable – a Green world is possible”, “We’re gonna beat back the frack attack”, “No more poison and pollution – we need a solar revolution”, and more, drawing cheers from the assembled crowd.

On the following day, Greens including Howie Hawkins joined the Flood Wall Street sit-in to protest the financial corporations that are funding the dirty energy behind climate change.

WAMC, NPR, Albany: Boehner Attends Fundraiser For Stefanik, Evades Protesters

Earlier this month, former presidential candidate Ralph Nader spoke in Glens Falls to support Funiciello and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins. With Blue Dog Democrat Owens retiring, the swing district is up for grabs as the parties bring out their heavy-hitters.

 

September 23, 2014

Wall Street Journal: Cuomo Holds Wide Lead Over Astorino; But Governor's Job Approval Rating Falls Back to Lowest Point Since Taking Office

In the first public poll since the Sept. 9 Democratic primary, the governor holds a 25-point margin in the race among likely voters, with 54% of poll respondents supporting Mr. Cuomo. The Republican, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, pulls 29% and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins gets 9%.

Diane Ravitch's Blog: New York: Shame on the League of Women Voters

The League of Women Voters is sponsoring a debate between gubernatorial candidates in Néw York. For some reason, only Governor Cuomo and Republican challenger Rob Astorino have been invited. The Green Party and other qualified parties were not invited. This is not right.

Binghamton University Pipe Dream: Progressives offer promising alternative to Cuomo; Green Party Platform tackles corruption and economic instability

Hawkins’ campaign includes a drive toward economic democracy and a Green New Deal. He wants to launch a massive infrastructure project to revitalize New York’s infrastructure by becoming completely fossil fuel-free by 2030. He wants to fund these projects by restoring the progressive tax structure that New York had in the 1970s, which would give 95 percent of New Yorkers a tax break and allow local governments to reduce local property taxes. Perhaps most ambitiously, he wants to start a New York state bank. This idea is modeled after North Dakota’s state bank, which is partially responsible for having the lowest unemployment rate in the country.

Focus on Albany: An update from Howie Hawkins

Green Party candidate for Governor of NY Howie Hawkins shares his thoughts on the NYS primary and the cliamte change march in NYC.

Utica Observer Dispatch: Astorino hopeful he can unseat Cuomo

Ursula Rozum, campaign manager for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, said Astorino and Cuomo’s economic policy are very similar and that Hawkins is the “only candidate for governor that is 100 percent opposed to hydro-fracking.”

“Howie might be the underdog at the moment, but as soon as people hear and see his platform they want to get behind his campaign,” Rozum said.

NY State of Politics: A Green Year?

Hawkins is a proven vote getter: In 2010, he received more than 50,000 votes on the Green Party, thus securing ballot status for the party this time around. Without having to spend time petitioning for the ballot, the Hawkins campaign has been putting its efforts into field work and fundraising. As Hawkins has gained strength in the polls, Astorino has shifted from being opposed to the Green Party candidate’s participation in a debate to being open to the idea.

OccuWorld: Howie Hawkins on 100% Clean Energy in 15 years, Safe Act

Howie Hawkins, Green Party of NY Gubernatorial Candidates talks to Reason on being called “the only adult in the room” on 100% Renewables, Safe Act during People’s Climate March NYC.

Building Bridges, WBAI: Highlights From Sunday's Peoples Climate March

Howie Hawkins interview runs from 31:30 to 39:30 in the program.

Hot Indie News: Howie Hawkins, Hot Indie News Interview @ Flood Wall Street Citizen Action, NYC - 22 September 2014

7 minute interview.

Hot Indie Media: Howie Hawkins, AFP Interview @ Flood Wall Street Citizen Action, New York, NY - 22 September 2014

1.5 minute interview.

 

September 22, 2014

OccuWorld: Brian Jones Howie Hawkins Rally the Green Party at People’s Climate March NYC

Brian Jones Howie Hawkins Rally the Green Party of NY at People’s Climate March NYC. Fighting for Climate Justice, fighting King CONG (Coal, Oil, Nukes and, Gas). 

Time Warner Cable News: Cuomo Still Faces Questions About Endorsement of Republican State Senator

But when seeking the Working Families Party endorsement in May, Cuomo delivered a videotaped message to the delegates promising to campaign for a Democratic majority in the state Senate.

"He said the next day the important thing is that I got the ballot line. And he seemed to walk back what he agreed to. That video he did looked like a hostage video. And he is not happy. So, I don't think they can take those promises to the bank," said Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins.

NY Daily News: Zephyr Teachout says she doesn't expect to endorse in governor's race, but will decide late October

After giving Cuomo a scare in the fight for the minor union backed Working Families Party nomination in May, Teachout won nearly 35% of the vote in the Sept. 9 Demorcratic primary. The only liberal candidate still on the ballot is Howie Hawkins, who is running on the minori Green Party line.

Uncovered Politics: Green Party's Howie Hawkins Polling at 24% in Syracuse

A new poll out today from Siena College shows the Green Party’s New York gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins running strong on his home turf. The survey of 598 likely voters in the Empire State’s 24th congressional district shows Governor Andrew Cuomo leading Republican challenger Rob Astorino by 44% to 32%, with Hawkins drawing the support of 15% of voters.

In the city of Syracuse, where Hawkins has made numerous bids for local office over the years, the Green candidate collects an impressive 24% of the vote. Hawkins received more than 5% of the vote in Onondaga County during his 2010 run for governor, his best showing in that race.

Hawkins fell just short of winning a seat on the Syracuse city council in 2011, losing by fewer than 100 votes.

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Hawkins polling well in Syracuse, hampers Cuomo's lead over Astorino

Siena pollster Don Levy says Hawkins is carving into Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's support in the Syracuse area's congressional district. But Hawkins' support isn't helping Republican candidate Rob Astorino, who Levy says is getting consistent support across the state.

"He continues to poll about 32 percent in this district," Levy said. "Statewide, his overall number right now in terms of the polling, is not a great deal higher than that. So really what seems to have happened here is that Mr. Hawkins has taken votes away from the governor, but they haven't moved over to Mr. Astorino."

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Poll shows Democrat Dan Maffei has 8-point lead over Republican John Katko

Sienna Research Institute Director Don Levy says geographically, there are no surprises in this poll.

Levy says voter turnout in the city of Syracuse is key for Maffei, but a lopsided lead for Andrew Cuomo in the big race on the ballot, for governor, could keep Democratic voters home.  However, Levy says there is one wildcard on that front: the Green Party gubernatorial candidacy of Syracuse’s Howie Hawkins.

“Howie Hawkins is pulling 24 percent in Syracuse. So there’s clearly a possibility that as opposed to maybe an Obama enthusiasm in the past, a Hawkins enthusiasm, most especially in Sryacuse may bring out a certain degree of vote that could in fact benefit Dan Maffei,” said Levy.

Legislative Gazette: Green party candidate wants a seat at upcoming gubernatorial debates

"It would be a major disservice to the progressive majority in New York to exclude the only progressive choice on the ballot," Hawkins said. "By any reasonable debate standard-support demonstrated by poll numbers, a serious statewide campaign, being the only progressive option on the ballot — I should be included in the debates."

Albany Times Union: ICYMI: Hawkins talks of debate inclusion on ‘NYN’

Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio talks to Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins on this week’s episode of “New York Now,” the award-winning co-production of WMHT and the Times Union. Hawkins discusses his platform and his desire to be included in any debates involving major-party candidates Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino.

WABC-TV, Channel 7, New York City: Protesters march to Wall Street for sit-in over climate change

Their targets were Wall Street and big polluters. "Fossil fuels is burning up the planet. So that's why we're here," said the Green Party's Howie Hawkins.

New York Observer: Climate March: Hundreds of Thousands March as de Blasio Reveals Greenhouse Gas Plan

Also participating were the Green Party and its gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, delegations from several colleges, environmental groups such as the Sierra Club and Natural Resources Defense Council, indigenous dancers in traditional garb and headgear, a number of out-of-state liberal organizations, activists from several foreign nations and a large complement of radical socialist and communist parties–all marching to the usual protest accompaniment of acoustic guitars, drums, horns and whistles.

Socialist Worker: The climate justice call echoes across the globe

Marching behind Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein's Global Climate Convergence contingent and in front of the ecosocialists of System Change Not Climate Change, the New York state Green Party drew in supporters from across the state for a contingent of nearly 150. Marching among them were Green candidates for governor and lieutenant governor of New York Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones. Their campaign is connecting to the desire for an electoral alternative to the status quo--in order to fight around ecological questions, among many other issues.

 

September 21, 2014

Siena Research Institute: In Tight Swing District Maffei Leads Katko By 8 Points

Andrew Cuomo leads Rob Astorino 44-32 percent, with Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins garnering 15 percent district-wide and 24 percent of the vote in Syracuse.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo leads Astorino by 12 points in Syracuse, Central New York

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate from Syracuse, would get 15 percent of the vote in the district, the poll found.

Glens Falls Post-Star: Editorial: Green Party, Howie Hawkins deserve a chance to be heard

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor of New York, is a soft-spoken middle-aged man with a lifetime of political experience.

He showed up at The Post-Star office earlier this week without a single handler, running on five hours of sleep but still able to reel off detailed positions on issues including global warming, the gap elimination adjustment, corporate welfare and Preet Bharara, the U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York.

....He is a legitimate, thoughtful candidate who should be included in any gubernatorial debates.

Newsday: Green Party's Howie Hawkins runs to Cuomo's left

Running to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's left in the Nov. 4 election, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins wants to pull in voters who backed Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic primary. So here was Hawkins, 61, of Syracuse, in front of a big Pathmark in East Harlem on Friday, doing his best to drum up interest, one pedestrian at a time….

Consistent with his party’s platform, Hawkins opposes fracking, favors heavier taxes on the rich, criticizes high-stakes public school testing and calls for a return to state revenue-sharing to relieve property taxes. He says: “The Common Core rollout and its link to high-stakes testing got everybody up in arms in the inner city, the suburbs, and rural areas. I think there’s more energy around that issue than even the fracking issue — even upstate.”

Poughkeepsie Journal: Primary results a referendum on tracking

With Cuomo still on the fence about fracking and his Republican challenger Rob Astorino firmly in favor of fracking, the anti-fracking position come November will be left to Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor.

Watertown Daily Times: Hawkins: stop fracking, promote clean energy, adjust the state tax rates

He said the state should keep revenue from the stock transfer tax, which the state has rebated 100 percent since the early 1980s.

“It’s maybe the only tax in the world that they collect and give right back,” he said.

He said state education funding should be more equitable for rural and inner-city schools.

Watertown Daily Times: Undaunted, republican Astorino sees path to finish line in governor's race

A WWNY-TV7 News/Siena College poll showed Mr. Cuomo leading Mr. Astorino 44-35 percent, with 12 percent of the vote going to Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor.

Watertown Daily Times: It ain't easy being Green

Mr. Hawkins is talking about housing, education, fair trade and the environment.

He has some populist but potentially popular proposals for an adjustment to the state’s income tax (the very wealthy would pay more, but 95 percent of the state’s residents would see a tax decrease).

His most “green” proposal is a plan to reduce the state’s reliance on fossil fuels, which isn’t such a radical idea.

Gotham Gazette: The Week Ahead in New York Politics

Green Party gubernatorial candidate "Howie Hawkins closes out his four day Climate Change campaign tour in New York City with an appearance at Zuccotti Park...in support of #FloodWallStreet. Hawkins will also discuss his plan for 100% clean energy by 2030 and the stock transfer tax," according to a release from Hawkins' campaign.

 

September 20, 2014

AP: Green gov candidate: I'm the only progressive running

The Green Party's Howie Hawkins bills himself as the last progressive standing in the New York governor's race.

Hawkins is running to the left of heavy-favorite Gov. Andrew Cuomo at a time when liberal Democrats are signaling dissatisfaction with the governor. While a surprisingly strong primary challenge from college professorZephyr Teachout fell short this month, voters stirred up this summer are still out there and Hawkins is working to get them.

"He knows he's vulnerable on his left, I mean seriously vulnerable," Hawkins said of Cuomo at an event in Albany this past week.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise: Hawkins on Green Party ticket for governor

Hawkins, a former Marine and UPS worker, has been a longtime political activist since the 60's and was once a member of the Socialist Party. He sees himself as a working man and its that type of person he thinks is needed in government. Although, he said the working person is "alienated and disgusted" with the political parties they're offered.

"Their attitude is, 'They're bought and paid for, Democrat and Republican,'" Hawkins said. "'It don't matter what I do. They're going to do what they're going to do and they're going to line their own pockets. They don't know my life, they don't know who I am, they've never been to my community.' ... That's why we need a Green Party."

Hawkins criticized Cuomo on the roll out Common Core, the SAFE Act, and questioned the governor's position on fracking.

"He's dropping like a rock," Hawkins said of the governor. "He's made people angry about what he's done to the public employees, both contracts, firings, and under staffing public services. He's made people angry especially about the schools. The roll out of Common Core with high stakes testing attached to it. I don't care whether you go to underfunded inner-cities or the well funded suburban schools. Parents and teachers are up in arms." Hawkins supports delinking Common Core from high stakes testing.

Uncovered Politics: A Lucky Corner: Credico Campaigns with Hawkins in Harlem

Like many New Yorkers, Credico believes it’s time for a change. It’s time to shake up the corrupt, two-party establishment in Albany.

Hawkins thinks so, too, which is precisely why he took his no-frills, no-nonsense, issues-oriented campaign to badly-neglected Harlem yesterday.

“It’s a good place to meet voters, it’s not like upstate rural New York,” said Hawkins, who hails from Syracuse. He said the voters in Harlem were being taken for granted by the Democrats and were virtually ignored by the Republicans.

 

September 19, 2014

City & State: Winners and Losers 9/19/14

Howie Hawkins - Andrew Cuomo tarred Rob Astorino this week for being a—gasp!—Miami Dolphins fan. Astorino retorted with the charge that Cuomo kills unicorns, which, apparently, is some sort of satire. That’s right, post-primary the gubernatorial race has degenerated into silly season. Fortunately, while the governor and his GOP challenger go at it like they’re vying to become president of a frat, there is at least one candidate in the race conducting himself like a grown-up. Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, has hammered away at the issues—imagine that—and his surprising poll numbers seem to reflect that people appreciate him elevating the discourse—or just really don’t want to vote for the other guys.

Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Cuomo foes pounce on fracking indecision

With no major-party candidate backing a fracking ban, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is hoping to pick up some support. Teachout had called for an outright fracking ban, and Hawkins is hoping his message appeals to those who backed the upstart Democrat.

In a letter to supporters this week, Hawkins said his support for a ban is nothing new.

"I called for a ban on fracking for natural gas as the Green gubernatorial candidate in 2010 at a time when most environmentalists urged a moratorium so that the health and environmental impacts of fracking could be studied," Hawkins wrote.

New York Observer: Hawkins and Credico Try to Woo Harlemites

“The rich people, like you said, they don’t care about anybody,” said Angel Rodriguez, who said he would cast his ballot for Mr. Hawkins. “We got to vote for working people, because the rich people only come to the poor neighborhood when it’s election time. The people here are poor, they have no jobs!”

Albany Times Union: Howie Hawkins wants a debate microphone

Don’t miss this week’s episode of “New York Now,” the award-winning co-production of WMHT and the Times Union. This week’s highlights: Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio talks to Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins about his platform and his desire to be included in any debates involving major-party candidates Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino.

Capital New York: Astorino denounces Cuomo ad, engages on abortion

Astorino has said he and Cuomo should have one-on-one debates, while Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins has lobbied to be included.

Astorino said he was open to including Hawkins in a debate.

“I’m not adamantly opposed,” he said. “I do believe that the governor and I need to have a one-on-one. But there are five opportunities already where we’ve gotten invitations, and I don’t see why Howie couldn’t be invited to at least one of them.”

 

September 18, 2014

Capital Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Interview with Howie Hawkins

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins was here earlier this week picking up the endorsements of both Ralph Nader and Randy Credico. We spoke with him about a whole spectrum of issues from energy development to upstate cities.

WAMC, Albany, The Capital Connection: Interview with Howie Hawkins

WAMC's Alan Chartock speaks with Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate running for Governor of New York.

New York Now: Interview with Howie Hawkins

While most polls call it a two dog race for governor between Andrew Cuomo and Rob Astorino, Green Party Nominee Howie Hawkins wants to remind people there is another option.

Hawkins is our guest in-studio this week where he explains why he thinks he, not Governor Cuomo, is the best progressive option for New Yorkers.

Albany Times Union: Editorial: Send back the clowns

The real voice of reason in this race comes instead from left field, from Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who has waged a consistently serious race and who on Wednesday issued a call for his fellow candidates to stop arguing about sports teams and debate issues like jobs, health care and climate change.

He’s right. This needs to be an election about the issues that really matter to New Yorkers, about which candidate has the ideas and a vision to best guide the state for the next four years. Not about who can out-snipe the other or manufacture a controversy.

Glens Falls Post-Star: Howie Hawkins makes his case, and the Greens'

“A strong Green vote will give the progressives leverage in the next Legislature. That’s what we hope to do with this election,” he said.

Hawkins, a UPS worker from Syracuse, is one of seven candidates on the Nov. 4 gubernatorial ballot, and the only officially recognized third party candidate that is not also on the Democratic or Republican line.

“I would argue we’re the third major party, or on the verge of being so,” he said.

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Questions Terry Pagula's Actions

While most politicians have been quick to praise the Pegulas and their bid to buy the Bills, the Green Party candidate for governor is raising questions about where Terry Pegula got the money.

Howie Hawkins says it's a scandal that Terry Pegula is buying the Bills with proceeds from hydrofracking.

 

September 17, 2014:

Glens Falls Post-Star: Hawkins: 'I'll take any votes I can get.'

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins said he doesn’t mind if people vote for him as a protest to major party candidates.

“I’ll take any votes I can get,” he said Wednesday, in a meeting with The Post-Star editorial board. “At first you’re a protest vote, and then you’re a viable competitor. You’ve sort of got to climb the ladder and be persistent,” he said.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins: ‘Scandal’ That Bills New Owner Is Fracking Rich

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins thinks there are “real issues” to debate about the NFL, but which candidate roots for what team is not one of them….

“While the rest of the country was debating the issues of domestic violence, child abuse and the NFL, Cuomo spent his campaign dollars photoshopping Astorino’s son out of a sport attack ad,” Hawkins noted. “Rather than debating which sports teams we follow, we should be debating jobs, health care and climate change.”

...According to Hawkins, the “real scandal” related to the Buffalo Bills is that the team’s new owner, Terry Pegula, made his money in fracking – the controversial natural gas drilling process to which the Green Party is vehemently opposed.

Auburn Citizen: Cosentino: The second round of debate game in governor's race

Now that the Democratic Primary is over, Campaign 2014 can now move on to its next mini-drama: how many gubernatorial debates will there be and who will be able to participate in them. Last week both Republican nominee Rob Astorino and the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins were quick to try to nail down debates with Governor Andrew Cuomo.

MSNBC: 'We need people to run against Hillary'

But despite her strong opposition to Cuomo’s “corporatist” agenda, Teachout didn’t rule out endorsing him. When asked whether she’d support Cuomo or Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins in the general election, Teachout hedged, saying her current focus is squarely on winning back the New York Senate for Democrats.

Teachout is not shutting the door on another chance to represent New Yorkers herself, though….“I am definitely going to run for office again.”

WICB, Ithaca College Radio: Interview with Howie Hawkins

 

September 16, 2014

Schenectady Daily Gazette: Editorial: For Astorino: Full debates, tax returns

The second stumble is his insistence that only he participate in debates with Cuomo — without the presence of other candidates like the Green Party's Howie Hawkins. One of the reasons why government is corrupt and ineffective is because it's controlled by the two major parties. 

Denton Publications, North Country: Hawkins: "We're running to win"

Hawkins cited Zephyr Teachout’s lashing of Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the Democratic primary last week that saw the law professor rout the incumbent in 30 upstate counties, garnering 34 percent of the vote.

“It was a repudiation by the base of the Democratic Party against Cuomo’s policies,” he said. “I’m going to work to hard to earn the support of Teachout and Randy Credico voters.”

The lifelong activist currently works at a UPS transfer station in Syracuse. He said this experience on the frontlines allows him to tap into the sentiments of the working class.

“I talk to people all the time at my job and go door-to-door,” he said. “The majority are not voting because they’re totally disgusted. They think politicians are bought, so what are they going to do? It’s our intention to appeal to them.”

New York State Public Radio: Future of Fracking Will Influence November Election for Governor

The Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, is against hydro fracking in the state under any circumstances.

Capital New York: The W.F.P.'s Cuomo dilemma

W.F.P. leaders are now trying to entice Teachout's supporters to vote (for Cuomo) on their line. At the same time, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is pitching himself as the left's anti-Cuomo choice in the general election.

Capital Tonight: NY1/Cap NY/Siena Poll Shows Grimm Narrowly Leads Recchia

In the race for governor, Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo leads Republican Rob Astorino in the district 60 percent to 28 percent, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins receiving 3 percent of the vote.

Socialist Worker: "Causing trouble for Cuomo" by Julian Guerrero

Teachout has said she won't endorse a candidate until the end of October, just before the election--which will allow her to avoid criticism for lining up behind Cuomo, as she is expected to do.

That leaves Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones as the only significant progressive alternative to Cuomo and Rob Astorino, the Republican sacrificial lamb running against him. Anything the left can do to connect the anti-Cuomo sentiment from the primary to support for the Hawkins-Jones challenge will be a step forward for independent politics and the struggles to come in New York.

Utica Phoenix: Green Candidate Howie Hawkins Visits New Hartford

There was a rally supporting Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, on September 7 at the Old Path Farm in New Hartford. Mr. Hawkins answered a wide variety of questions on several issues important in the Governor’s race to a crowd of about 100 people.

 

September 15, 2014

Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin: Howie Hawkins and Ralph Nader interview

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins got some campaign assistance this past weekend from the party’s best known national name – former presidential candidate Ralph Nader. The pair joined us for an exclusive interview, where they talked about the Green Party’s future in New York and why they say debates matter so much.

WHCU Morning Newswatch, Ithaca: Hawkins makes his case to progressives

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins explains why he is the only true progressive in his race.

Fred Dicker Live from the State Capitol: Howie Hawkins Interview

Howie Hawkins interview is in the last 20 minutes of the program.

NY Post: Fred Dicker: Insiders say de Blasio could beat Cuomo

Cuomo is also known to fear that Teachout might refuse to endorse his candidacy, or that she’ll back Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, and siphon away Democratic votes.

Time Warner Cable News: 2014 Election Could Be Green Party Breakthrough

After years of being ignored by the media and the major parties, Green Party candidates believe 2014 may be the election cycle where their issues are heard.

Party candidates said concerns over income inequality and workers rights are at the forefront of the campaign, thanks to the economic recession.

Newsday: Green campaign seeks liberal vote to pressure Cuomo

“This is a progressive state and the progressive voice ought to be in debates,” Hawkins said. Hawkins is opposed to drilling for natural gas upstate and wants the state to commit to an energy plan with more renewable energy including solar, wind and tidal power.

New York Public Radio: Green Party candidate wants in on debates

The Green Party candidate for governor wants to be included in debates. Howie Hawkins says he is the only candidate left in the race to represent the state’s progressives.

Hawkins, a Syracuse area UPS worker and Teamsters union member, says “by any reasonable standard” he should be included in any debates for the governor’s race that feature major party candidates Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Rob Astorino.

“There a lot of progressives in New York,” Hawkins said. “Their candidate should be in the debates.”

Legislative Gazette: Green Party candidate: 'Let me debate.'

"It would be a major disservice to the progressive majority in New York to exclude the only progressive choice on the ballot," Hawkins said. "By any reasonable debate standard — support demonstrated by poll numbers, a serious statewide campaign, being the only progressive option on the ballot — I should be included in the debates."

Gotham Gazette: The Week Ahead in New York Politics

Teachout, who returned to the classroom the night after the primary, has also said that she does not plan to endorse in the gubernatorial general election until the end of October. Expect Cuomo, Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins to all continue to push for the support of those who backed Teachout in the Dem primary.

NY State of Politics: LIVE - September 15, 2014

Ralph Nader was in town Sunday to support Green Party Candidates. Meanwhile, Rob Astorino says Howie Hawkins deserves a spot in the debate if he's polling well.

NY State of Politics: Astorino Warms to Hawkins in Debate

With Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins piercing through double-digits in public polls, Republican candidate for governor Rob Astorino says he is open to including the third-party candidate.

“You’ve got one of two people who can win the race – Andrew Cuomo or me. We’re the major party candidates,” Astorino said in a Capital Tonight interview on Friday. “I think it’s potentially up for discussion at the time of the debates, if Howie Hawkins is doing very well then maybe it should be considered.”

Hawkins has polled statewide at 10 percent, and in two congressional districts — the NY-19 and the NY-21 — Hawkins receives 12 percent of the vote in a race including Astorino and Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo.

Capital Tonight: Friday Night and What's Ahead - 9/15/14

Astorino says Green Party Candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins should be invited to debates.

 

September 14, 2014

AP: Nader speaks at Howie Hawkins' event in Albany

Ralph Nader is stumping for the Green Party's New York gubernatorial candidate. The consumer activist and political gadfly says in an appearance in Albany on Sunday that New Yorkers have a "marvelous chance" to break new ground by voting for the Green Party.

AP: Ralph Nader in Albany: 'Break new ground' by voting for Howie Hawkins, Green Party in NY

The consumer activist and political gadfly spoke at a Unitarian church in Albany to praise Howie Hawkins, of Syracuse, and to help him raise money for his third-party bid. Nader also touted the Green Party candidacy of northern New York congressional candidate Matt Funiciello.

"You have a marvelous opportunity ... to break new ground and send a message all over the country," Nader told a crowd of more than 100 people.

Capital New York: Nader stumps for Hawkins

Calling for New Yorkers to reclaim their state from a "grotesque" two-party system that serves politicians and their "corporate paymasters," Ralph Nader endorsed Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins at a Sunday evening event in Albany.

In an hour-long address, Nader called on listeners to back both Hawkins and the Green Party's candidate for Congress in New York's 21st district, baker Matt Funiciello. Both candidates are currently polling just above 10 percent, according to two Siena polls released this week, and Nader said they're the best option for breaking the grip of the two-party system.

Time Warner Cable News: Ralph Nader Hosts Fundraiser for Howie Hawkins, Matt Funiciello

Ralph Nader, the former Green Party presidential Candidate, is making his way to the Capital Region Sunday.

Nader is hosting a fundraiser for the Party's gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins and congressional candidate Matt Funiciello.

Uncovered Politics: Cuomo Rival Endorses Green Party's Hawkins

Political satirist Randy Credico, who finished a distant third in last Tuesday’s Democratic gubernatorial primary in New York, has thrown his support to the Green Party’s Howie Hawkins in the general election.

Credico, who unofficially garnered 19,045 votes — or slightly less than four percent of the total — against Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Tuesday’s primary, said that he was endorsing the Green Party candidate because he and Hawkins share many of the same progressive values.

“We are on the same page politically,” said Credico, a longtime critic of state’s infamous Rockefeller drug laws who campaigned in the Democratic primary on a platform calling for a $15 per hour minimum wage, Medicare-for-All, free SUNY and CUNY tuition, legalization of marijuana, a state-owned bank, and lower subway fares and bridge and tunnel tolls — all of which are issues long championed by the Green Party nominee….

“If Zephyr Teachout isn’t a fake out, if she has any integrity at all and is truly progressive, then she will join me in endorsing Howie,” said Credico, who rarely minces words.

NY State of Politics: Ralph Nader Tours Capital Region for Green Party Candidates

Howie Hawkins, meanwhile, is playing a much bigger game, bringing Nader’s national influence into the race for Governor. According to the campaign, during two events in the capital region, Nader raised more than $6,000 for the gubernatorial candidate. While that’s pocket change compared to the Governor’s $35 million+ war chest, Hawkins says he’s grateful Nader is on his side leading into November.

“His whole career, people respect the fact that he stood up for the people against corporate abuse. I think that’s an issue, as he was saying, that cuts across left and right. People don’t want to be exploited, defrauded, misused or abused. So, it’s great to have his support.”

 

September 13, 2014

Albany Times Union: Fred LeBrun: Depth of voter dissatisfaction remains to be seen

The state's leading pundits had the primary as a "liberal revolt" by those who feel the governor has drifted too far to the right and needed to hear a message, but expect that these voters will come right back into the Cuomo fold in November when faced with a conservative alternative on the ballot like Astorino.

Well, the pundits got it wrong. Oh sure, there were plenty of burned liberals who voted for Teachout, and Teachout was an appealing candidate in her own right. Now Howie Hawkins of the Green Party should rightfully inherit those disillusioned progressives.

Ithaca Voice: Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for NY governor, speaks at IC

Zephyr Teachout, a left-wing primary challenger to Cuomo, lost to him last Tuesday. But Hawkins — similarly attacking Cuomo on his left flank — was undeterred.

“If you put the issues and my platform on paper, next to [Andrew] Cuomo’s and [Rob] Astorino’s and remove the names and party labels, my platform would win,” Hawkins said.

New York's governor may have won a comfortable margin in the Democratic primary, but his challenger's stronger-than-expected performance shows he faces difficulties with environmentalists, state workers and voters critical of his handling of corruption.

AP: NY primary exposes Cuomo's problems with the left

New York's governor may have won a comfortable margin in the Democratic primary, but his challenger's stronger-than-expected performance shows he faces difficulties with environmentalists, state workers and voters critical of his handling of corruption.

 

September 12, 2014

AP: Astorino, Hawkins call for debates in NY gov race

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo's two main election rivals repeated their call for debates Friday — though they disagree on who should participate.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says Friday that he should be included in debates along with Cuomo and the Republican candidate, Westchester County executive Rob Astorino. He pointed to recent Siena College polls in two congressional districts that show he's gaining ground.

"We shouldn't limit debates to the candidates of the wealthy and special interests," Hawkins said. "By any reasonable fair and objective criteria, I should be included in debates."

Astorino, the Westchester County executive, has proposed a series of debates against Cuomo, a Democrat, to be held around the state before the November election. He has said third party candidates shouldn't be permitted and on Friday called the race "a two-horse race."

Cuomo refused to debate his primary opponent, law professor Zephyr Teachout. He won Tuesday's primary 62 percent to 34 percent.

Teachout said Friday that Hawkins should be allowed to debate.

Capital Tonight: @CapitalTonight

Astorino: "I think that's a possibilty" when asked if he would debate @HowieHawkins

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Ralph Nader Interview

Consumer advocate and former Presidential candidate Ralph Nader on Howie Hawkins’ campaign for Governor. Nader will be in upstate New York this Sunday.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Nader in campaign for Hawkins, respect people who work their hearts out for you

"You've got to do your part," he told WCNY's Capitol Pressroom host Susan Arbetter."Voters vote one at a time. And you've got to respect the people who work their heart out for you like Howie Hawkins has."

Hawkins got another boost this week when a poll in a Congressional District near Albany showed 12 percent of voters would go for him in November.

Journal News, Hudson Vally: Gibson leader Eldridge by 24 points in 19th CD race

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, held only a 39 percent to 36 percent lead in the district over his Republican challenger, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins was supported by 12 percent.

City and State: Credico Backs Hawkins for Governor, Prods Teachout to follow Suit

Activist and comedian Randy Credico, has thrown his support behind Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins. Credico, who with 99.6 percent of precincts reporting, received 19,045 votes statewide—or 3.6 percent of the vote—told City & State that he is endorsing Hawkins because, “[Gov. Andrew] Cuomo is conservative, Hawkins is progressive. We are on the same page politically. Voting for Howie is a great opportunity to move a progressive party past the stale WFP and the Democratic Party, which is a dead rabbit.”

Credico also prodded his erstwhile primary rival to back Hawkins, saying, “If Zephyr Teachout isn’t a fake out, if she has any integrity at all and is truly progressive, then she will join me in endorsing Howie.”

The Daily Freeman: Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for NY governor, to attend education rally Saturday in New Paltz

NEW PALTZ - Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, the Green Party candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, are scheduled to attend a “Rally for Kids and Schools” from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday at Hasbrouck Park on Mohonk Avenue.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise: Nader to campaign with N.Y. Greens this weekend

"Nader will help get us attention, and that will help our campaign strategy," Hawkins, a UPS worker and Teamster, told the Enterprise. "What I'm offering is more popular and supported by the people of New York than what Cuomo and Astorino are offering."

Glens Falls Post Star: Debates will boost Greens' candidacy, Nader says

Nader, Funiciello and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will speak at a rally at noon Sunday at Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls.

WNBG, Channel 12, Binghamton: Green Party candidate stops in Binghamton

"I want to be in the debates. I want every voter in the area to know I am the progressive alternative on the ballot in November," said Hawkins.

Hawkins is now trying to rally up support for a Green Party climate march, taking place in New York City on September 21.

WIVT, Channel 34, Binghamton: Green Party gubernatorial candidate visits Binghamton

Hawkins said Cuomo is scared to debate him. "After the primary he wants to debate, but he only wants debate his conservative Republican opponent Rob Astorino. He doesn't want me in the debate. That's because he knows I'm going to take a lot of votes from his left. But, I think by an objective standard I should be in those debates. 12 percent in the polls," said Hawkins.

WICV, Channel 40, Fox: Gubernatorial Candidate Talks About November Election

"I want to be in the debates. I am the progressive alternative. It is an obligation of the media I believe to let the people know that they have an alternative," said Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins.

 

September 11, 2014

Albany Times Union: Gibson, Stefanik leading in 2 polls

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins took 12 percent in both districts.

The Journal News, Hudson Valley: Gibson leaders Eldridge by 24 points

The Time Warner Cable News/Siena College poll of likely voters in the 19th Congressional District covering parts of the mid-Hudson Valley, the Catskills region and the Albany suburbs found Gibson leading Eldridge 57 percent to 33 percent. Only 10 percent were undecided….

Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, meanwhile, held only a 39 percent to 36 percent lead in the district over his Republican challenger, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins was supported by 12 percent.

AP: Rough Primary Gives Hope To NY Gov. Cuomo’s Foes

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins said disaffected Democrats should support him in the November election. Hawkins finished third in the 2010 race.

"We will work to win the vote of all the principled progressives who invested their hopes in the Teachout campaign," he said.

WXXI, NPR, Rochester: Howie Hawkins: Governor Afraid to Debate Him

With a third to 40 percent of the vote against him, Hawkins says that shows New Yorkers are dissastisfied with Cuomo's conservative economic policies, his tax cuts for the rich and funding cuts to schools.

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: Green Party gubernatorial candidate says primary results could help his campaign

A UPS worker from Syracuse, Hawkins believes the primary results highlight Cuomo’s weakness among progressive Democrats, saying it validates his reason to run this fall.

"Voters want an alternative to Andrew Cuomo, that they’ve rejected his policies, and I think it’s good news for my campaign,” Hawkins said.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo spent $60 per vote in election cycle; Teachout, $1.57

Now Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins wants to seize Teachout's momentum -- and her endorsement. Teachout's campaign told me Wednesday that she was reserving her thoughts on the fall elections.

Albany Times Union: Editorial: Mr. Cuomo's next hurdle

As he heads to the November election against Republican Rob Astorino and Green nominee Howie Hawkins, Mr. Cuomo needs to talk about good government again, passionately, thoughtfully and — after four years of failure on this count — convincingly.

Substance.com: Should the Victims of the War on Drugs Receive Reparations?

A drug war Truth and Reconciliation Commission along the lines of post-apartheid South Africa is a radical idea proposed by the Green Party. Substance.com asks their candidates for New York State's gubernatorial election to tell us more.

 

September 10, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins: Teachout's strong showing against Cuomo good news for Green Party

Hawkins, of Syracuse, says his platform to shift the tax burden to wealthy New Yorkers, fight against hydrofracking and impose a higher minimum wage should appeal to most of the 180,000 voters who supported Teachout on Tuesday.

"I'm the anti-Cuomo vote," Hawkins said. "If that was a progressive vote, I'm the last one on the ballot."

Syracuse Post-Standard: Why Teachout did so well Upstate, and why it won't matter to Cuomo come November

To the Green Party, the spoils

In the end, it's Howie Hawkins that could be Tuesday's big winner. [Siena pollster Steven] Greenberg said he wouldn't be surprised if half of Teachout's votes go to Hawkins. If that happened, it would triple the support the Syracuse candidate got in the 2010 gubernatorial race.

Time Warner Cable News: Howie Hawkins Says Primary Shows Cuomo Vulnerability

Hawkins says he finds himself now reaching out to voters who supported insurgents Zephyr Teachout and Timothy Wu. He says he needs to dissuade them from the idea that stage two of their protest is to vote for the governor on the Working Families Party line to send a message.

"I think the message there is, take us for granted. A vote for Cuomo on the Working Families line is still a vote for Cuomo," said Hawkins.

He wants to enlist Teachout in the effort ahead.

"Yes, I'm going to ask her for her support. I'm really going to work hard to get the people who voted for her to vote for me. I think if it's an anti-Cuomo vote, I'm the anti-Cuomo vote. If that was a progressive vote, I'm the last progressive vote left on the ballot," said Hawkins.

Albany Times Union: Cuomo: 'I believe we will have debates'

“There’s two people now who can win: Me or Andrew Cuomo,” the Westchester County executive said. “That’s who the public should be listening to — a substantive debate on the issues and not a circus, which is what Cuomo wanted four years ago so he didn’t have to speak.”

The 2010 debate Astorino referenced included multiple fringe candidates.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins refuted Astorino’s comments later in the day. He said that he is closer to Astorino than Astorino is to Cuomo in the polls and that he should be included in debates.

Latin Post: Election 2014 Results

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, whose attorney general running mate is Ramon Jimenez, says disaffected Democrats should support him in the November election.

The Nation: How Zephyr Teachout Taught Democrats a Lesson in Democracy

Cuomo still has to get through the general election and stave off the inquiries into his behavior around the Moreland Commission. Republican Rob Astorino no doubt smells blood, and Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, on the Green Party ticket, will be looking to scoop up voters on the left who can’t bring themselves to vote for Cuomo even on the Working Families Party or the brand-new Women’s Equality Party ballot lines. (The Women’s Equality Party was pushed by Cuomo, among others, as both a consolation prize after the State Senate failed to pass the Women’s Equality Agenda and, presumably, as a way to bring disaffected women voters back into his fold. It is also seen as a swipe at the Working Families Party.)

Capital New York: Celebrating for two, Hochul claims underdog status

The clearest play for Teachout's dissenters might be to support Cuomo on the Working Families Party line. The labor-backed W.F.P. gave its line to Cuomo after he pledged to help Democrats re-take the State Senate. It flirted with endorsing Teachout, and she and some of her supporters believe the party—and its permanent ballot line—is a strong and lasting force for dragging New York's political discourse to the left.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins' campaign manager said “we've reached out to their campaign a little bit, but there's no indication either way.” If Teachout were to throw herself behind Hawkins, she would consolidate the left-flank, anti-Cuomo vote. This would likely doom Teachout's future in mainstream New York politics.

Capital New York: Asked about Cuomo support, Teachout talks Senate

Teachout said she and Cuomo had a “very short call” last night when she called him to concede the election, but the topic of support was not discussed. Teachout's campaign has criticized Cuomo's coziness with donors and his handling of corruption issues. The Green Party has already reached out to ask Teachout to support its candidate, Howie Hawkins.

“I'll be letting folks know about that in the next day or so. So, keep your ears open if you're interested,” Teachout said.

AP: Rough primary gives hope to Cuomo's foes

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says disaffected Democrats should support him in the November election

WHCU Radio, Ithaca: Hawkins: "In a 3-way race, 40 percent can win"

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says now that Tuesday night’s primary results are in, the green party ticket is the only progressive option on the ballot. The candidate for governor of New York made the comments Wednesday in a conference call with reporters.

Hornell Evening Tribune: Letter: Hawkins stands up for average New Yorkers, is he off his rocker?

This same Howie, a second shift UPS worker near Syracuse proposes a state funded WPA jobs program to employ unused labor to meet community needs in public works and services. Howie must have been struck up side the skull with a manhole cover. Doesn’t he realize that we need those monies to keep our bankers in high cotton.

Socialist Worker: Kick the frackers out

ANTI-FRACKING campaigners in New York have held the line against the national obsession for drilling for the past six years….

Now, fracking is an election issue in New York state--finally! After six years of aggressive campaigning against the introduction of natural gas fracking in the state, the campaign has gotten a new burst of support from contenders vying to replace Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, said this election is a referendum on fracking, when he visited fracktivists in the Southern Tier.

Buffalo ArtVoice: The First Amendment Club invites You and All Good Environmentalists to a Meet & Greet with Green Gubernatorial Candidate Howie Hawkins!

Hawkins is the only gubernatorial candidate that openly opposes fracking. Zephyr Teachout and Tim Wu exceeded all expectations in Tuesday’s primary. It ain’t over till it’s over. If Hawkins, Astorino and Cuomo each receive a third of the votes it’ll be a free-for-all in November. Vote Green – you’ll breathe better at night.

 

September 9, 2014

NY Daily News: Andrew Cuomo defeats Zephyr Teachout in primary for governor that exposes rift with liberal voters

But Baruch College political scientist Doug Muzzio said the results Tuesday hurt Cuomo in New York and nationally.

“There’s no way that this can’t be interpreted as a blow to Cuomo,” Muzzio said. “He had all the traditional advantages: a huge money lead, huge instutional support, the major power brokers.

“Her candidacy was really a catalyst for all the people Cuomo has angered the past four years,” he said. “You can’t argue with more than a third of the vote, no matter how small the turnout.”

The big question going forward, he said, is what will Teachout’s supporters do in the general election? Do they hold their nose and vote for Cuomo, back minor Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins or not vote at all?

Legislative Gazette: Nader to campaign for Green Party

Consumer advocate and former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader will be in the Capital District on September 14, promoting candidates on the Green's statewide ticket.

The Green Party lineup includes Howie Hawkins for governor, Matt Funicello for Congress in the 21st Congressional District, and Theresa Portelli for state comptroller. Issues to be addressed include minimum wage, stock transfer taxes, climate change and single payer health care.

Washington Post: New York's crazily complicated ballots -- and what they mean for Andrew Cuomo

The lefty Green Party might be more nationally familiar than some of these other parties, but it doesn't have much sway in New York. It only barely made the 50,000 vote cut-off in 2010 to automatically end up on this year's ballot.

One reason why the Green Party doesn't have much support? It doesn't play with fusion tickets in the same way as other minor parties in the state. While the Working Families, Conservative and Independence parties used to field their own candidates far more often a few decades ago, they've realized that pressuring existing (and potentially more powerful) candidates has been far more useful in ensuring their continued existence.

Howie Hawkins, a UPS worker who cleared 50,000 votes as the Green nominee in the 2010 governor's race, is trying again this year.

 

 

September 8, 2014

WBAI, Haskins in the Morning: Brian Jones Interview

Interview on Green gubernatorial ticket platform and education policy runs from 1:43 to 1:54 in the show.

Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: "Ban Fracking, Build Clean Energy" by Howie Hawkins

The race for governor is a referendum on fracking. I am the only candidate for governor now on the November ballot who wants to ban fracking and build 100 percent clean energy by 2030.

If Gov. Andrew Cuomo wanted to ban fracking, he would have done it by now. Instead, he sits on the fence, waiting for the election to be over. If he wins re-election by a big enough margin to turn to his presidential ambitions, he likely will approve fracking in order to conform to the national Democrats' pro-fracking consensus.

Republican Rob Astorino wants to frack New York. But he must know fracking harms our air, water and health, because as Westchester County executive, he signed a law to ban fracking waste from being treated in his own county.

WGY, Capital District: Hawkins Wants More Green in Your Pocket

On Friday, Sept. 5, Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, was in Albany for the Labor Day Parade and said that as Governor he would unilaterally raise the state minimum wage to $15 an hour.

“The raise will inject billions of dollars into the purchasing power of the state's working class. That would be far more effective in stimulating the state's economy than Governor Cuomo squandering public money on tax breaks for big business and the rich,” Hawkins said.

CounterPunch: "The Limitations of the Liberal Class: Zephyr Teachout's Sad Rearguard Campaign" by Peter LaVenia

An assault on neoliberalism will require moving beyond the illusion any candidate of the anguished professional liberal class has the desire or ability to lead such an attack. It would mean an immediate move to pass a raft of pro-worker legislation….Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, supports these very measures and is polling at 7% even before any debates – though the media’s focus on Teachout would have you believe otherwise. A significant vote for Hawkins might even make the Greens the third party on the New York State ballot, putting a party squarely opposed to corporate control and influence-peddling as the alternative to Democrats and Republicans.

Legislative Gazette: Greens unveil plan for fixing schools

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, outlined his education platform last week, defining education as a basic human right and calling for an end to segregation in the public school system.

Along with his running mate for lieutenant governor, Brian Jones, a former Harlem elementary school teacher and active union member, Hawkins supports expanding public education from full-day Pre-K through college and increasing state aid to local schools.

 

September 7, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Meets with Voters

NEW HARFORD, N.Y. -- Green party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins met with voters ahead of November's elections on Sunday. Hawkins spoke about a plan for the state called the 'Green New Deal.'

WKTV, NBC, Utica: Howie Hawkins pays visit to New Hartford

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins drew a crowd of about 100 to a New Hartford farm on Sunday.

Auburn Citizen: Upstate members of Congress back Cuomo-Hochul in final days before Democratic primary

There are minor party candidates running for governor, including Green Party challenger and Syracuse resident Howie Hawkins. Hawkins ran for governor in 2010 and received 59,906 votes, which secured an automatic spot on the ballot for the Green Party. 

 

September 5, 2014

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: A 'Green New Deal' to rebuild New York" by Howie Hawkins

As a working teamster running for governor, I believe that state government ought to raise the living standards of working New Yorkers, especially in struggling upstate cities like Rochester and my home town of Syracuse. Since 1980, the share of all income in New York going to the richest 1 percent has increased from 10 percent to 35 percent. Meanwhile, as middle-income jobs have declined, the schools and public services we use have been cut while our taxes have gone up in order to pay for tax cuts for the rich.

"Insight," WCNY, PBS: Labor Now [including Howie Hawkins interview]

Labor now. This week’s Labor Day holiday may have commemorated Big Labor’s achievements. But unions are still pushing for reforms - some, right here in upstate New York. We’ll go to work on it… next on Insight. [Hawkins interview runs from 7:00 to 15:30 in the program.]

 

September 4, 2014

NY Daily News: No on Cuomo

Brooklyn: The editorial board of the New York Daily News endorses Cuomo? That seals it: This cuckoo is voting for Zephyr Teachout on Tuesday, and, if she loses, Howie Hawkins in November. Steven E. Blume

Albany Times Union: Candidates debate Cuomo -- without him

Earlier this week, Cuomo caught flak for saying that he has been part of debates that were a disservice to democracy. He has continued to refuse to heed calls from Teachout, Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins to debate.

Democracy Now!: New York Candidates Zephyr Teachout, Randy Credico, Tim Wu on Challenging Cuomo & Money in Politics

JUAN GONZÁLEZ: And, Randy, I would think that on many of these issues, you and Zephyr Teachout would agree, but you’re running against her, as well as against Cuomo. Could you talk about the differences that you see between you?

RANDY CREDICO: There’s a lot of differences, a lot of differences that we have. Like I said, she’s a mainstream Democrat. When this is over, if I lose on Tuesday, I’m supporting Howie Hawkins in the Green Party. She hasn’t ruled out supporting Andrew Cuomo, in spite of his corruption….

Washington Post: New York's crazily complicated ballots, explained

The lefty Green Party might be more nationally familiar than some of these other parties...It doesn't play with fusion tickets in the same way as other minor parties in the state….Howie Hawkins, a UPS worker who cleared 50,000 votes as the Green nominee in the 2010 governor's race, is trying again this year.

Capital New York: 'Rent is Too Damn High' candidate faces ballot challenge

And while it's unclear if McMillan's base was united by anything other than smirks or agreement that rent is, after all, high, it's plausible his presence would draw from the same pool as anti-Cuomo votes on the left. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is poised to capture that portion of the electorate. Cuomo is running on the Working Families Party line.

Rome Sentinel: Candidates jockey for ballot position in a variety of primary races Tuesday

At the top of next week’s ballot, heavily favored Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo faces a challenge from Fordham University law professor Zephyr R. Teachout and comedian and drug law critic Randy A. Credico for the Democratic nomination. The winner will face Republican Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins in the Nov. 4 general election.

The Democratic primary race for lieutenant governor is between former Buffalo Congresswoman Kathy Hochul and Tim Wu, a Columbia University professor. The winner will face Chemung County Sheriff Chris Moss and Green Party candidate Brian P. Jones in November.

North County Public Radio: Funiciello: "I am the genuine Candidate" in NY-21

Matt Funiciello: We need to have something like the WPA again. Ralph Nader had suggested a green jobs program. Howie Hawkins is running on that platform for governor, where we look at public transportation within the Park, we look at rebuilding the railroads. We look at and try to fund sustainable energy like photovoltaics. Why are we not exploring that? Public utilities—these are things that actually benefit human being who live right here in upstate New York we could be spending federal money on, and it would give us jobs that are sustainable.

 

September 3, 2014

Truthout: The Fight for Universal Pre-K: New York Charts a Checkered Path Toward Equal Early Education

Free all-day programs can also be a lifeline to parents struggling with sky-high child care costs, points out Brian Jones, a former New York City elementary school teacher, current Green Party candidate for lieutenant governor of New York State, and parent of a young child approaching preschool age. "You easily can pay more than your rent just in child care," Jones said. "What a lot of people have to do is choose between work and child care - then, when you lose those years working, it's harder to maintain professional contacts, the connections that we all know are so essential to not only getting a job, but advancing in your job."

...Even the difference in pay between pre-K and kindergarten teachers is significant. And Jones attributes that difference to the gendered nature of the work.

"People who do this kind of caring work are so notoriously not cared for in our society themselves. The very act of caring is so gendered, that type of work is so overwhelmingly female and then their supposed 'natural' inclination to do it is almost used against them when they want to ask for decent wages and benefits and working conditions," he said. "I think that's part of what's always at play when we see people who do caring work who are systematically mistreated, underpaid and underserved themselves."

 

September 2, 2014

ICEUFT Blog: ICE Recommends Teachout/Hawkins for Governor

If Teachout doesn't win the primary against the anti-teacher Andrew Cuomo, we will advocate for Howie Hawkins of the Green Party in the general election. 

Glens Falls Post-Star: Nader visiting Glens Falls to back Green candidate

Green Party congressional candidate Matt Funiciello on Tuesday announced details of former presidential candidate Ralph Nader’s upcoming visit to Glens Falls.

Nader, Funiciello and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will speak at a rally at noon Sept. 14 at Charles R. Wood Theater in Glens Falls.

AP: Voters could see 12 ballot lines for governor

Six parties have an automatic place on the ballot: the Democratic, Republican, Independence, Conservative, Working Families and Green parties. The Democratic, Independence and Working Families parties are supporting the re-election of Gov. Andrew Cuomo; the Republican and Conservative parties are backing Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. Howie Hawkins, who finished third in 2010, is again running as a Green Party candidate.

Seeking to join them are the Women's Equality Party started by Cuomo's campaign, the Stop Common Core Party announced by Astorino and the Life and Justice Party, a group started by Michael Carey, its gubernatorial candidate, to oppose abortion rights and advocate for disabled people in state facilities….

New York state election law allows candidates to run on multiple party lines, letting candidates like Cuomo and Astorino get their names on the ballot more than once while appealing to specific voter segments. 

 

September 1, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Annual Labor Day Parade Marks End of NYS Fair

The question is, will rank and file union members be there for Cuomo on both primary and election days after the talk of disappointment?

"I'm not seeing them mobilize. They're not enthusiastic, because his budgets have been very conservative," said Howie Hawkins, a candidate for governor.

Hawkins and others claim Cuomo should be worried about the outcome on Sept. 9.

Schenectady Daily Gazette: Colonie Labor Day event with a purpose

Tables were also set up for gubernatorial candidates Howie Hawkins and Zephyr Teachout. Teachout and her running mate, Tim Wu, are facing a Democratic Primary against Andrew Cuomo and his lieutenant governor candidate, Kathy Hochul, on Sept 9.

Hawkins, the Green Party nominee for governor, stopped by in the afternoon after walking in the Labor Day parade at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Interview with Howie Hawkins

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins has a long history with both the labor and social justice movements and continues to work as a teamster for UPS. Hawkins joined us this past June just after the labor-friendly Working Families Party endorsed Governor Cuomo. [10-minute interview begins half way through the recording.]

Gotham Gazette: The Week Ahead in New York Politics

At 8 p.m. on Thursday, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will hold a conference call on climate change.

 

August 30, 2014

WNYT TV-13 (NBC, Albany): Green Party candidate running for Congress in the North Country

Matt Funiciello, owner of the Rock Hill Bakehouse Café, 19 Exchange St., is running against Republican Elise Stefanik and Democrat Aaron Woolf. "I'm running on the basis that, enough of us are aware that maybe if we vote for someone who doesn't take corporate money, that person will advocate for things that actually benefit us," Funiciello said.

Funiciello supports expanding Medicare to include everyone from birth to death: universal health care that would eliminate Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as "Obamacare." And Funiciello wants to raise the tax cap on Social Security so that income between $117,000 and $250,000 is no longer tax-exempt. He said that would keep the program solvent….

Former Green Party presidential candidate Ralph Nader and current Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will join Funiciello at a fundraiser here on September 14.

 

August 29, 2014

Counterspin, FAIR-Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting: Interview with Brian Jones on Teacher Tenure

Audio interview with Brian Jones runs from 9:00 to 18:30 minutes in the program.

Newsday: Ralph Nader to campaign for Green Party's Howie Hawkins

Nader will be in the Albany area Sept. 14 to support the liberal Green Party ticket of Hawkins for governor and Brian Jones, a teacher and actor who is running for lieutenant governor.

 

August 28, 2014

Against the Current: A Green New Deal for New York by Howie Hawkins

In January 2014, when we wrote the first draft of our election campaign plan for governor and lieutenant governor of New York, we set down what we thought were four ambitious goals. But as the campaign has unfolded, it appears we aimed too low. We have revised our goals upwards.

The Corning Leader: Ban fracking, drilling waste in New York

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, says Gov. Andrew Cuomo has "brought fracking to New York, even though he hasn't approved drilling." Under Cuomo's watch, pipelines, gas storage facilities and gas-fired power plants are being built in New York, Hawkins said, even though Cuomo has kept the state's de facto moratorium on horizontal hydraulic fracturing in place since he was elected in 2010. "He is setting up the infrastructure for fracking," Hawkins said during a press conference Thursday at the Southeast Steuben County Library in Corning.

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins Stops in Chemung County

One candidate for New York's top post is making sure twin tiers residents know where he stands on hydrofracking. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins toured areas around the Chemung Landfill Thursday. Hawkins says he would ban fracking in New York and prevent the import and treatment of out-of-state drilling waste. The Chemung County Landfill has been at the center of debate as county lawmakers plan to expand the landfill, which could pave the way for more drill cuttings to enter from Pennsylvania.

Elmira Star Gazette: Hawkins rails against fracking in New York

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins visited the Elmira-Corning area Thursday to repeat his pledge to ban fracking if he's elected New York's next governor. The day after Democratic gubernatorial candidate Zephyr Teachout canceled her Elmira appearance, Hawkins met with residents living near the Chemung County Landfill who are concerned about the frack drilling wastes being taken there.

WENY-TV, ABC/CBS/CW2, Horseheads: Hawkins Tours Chemung Landfill

Lake Placid News: Gov. Cuomo cuts ribbon at Upper Jay firehouse

Meanwhile, Hawkins issued a press release during the governor's visit criticizing post-Irene recovery efforts that waived environmental regulations and let local crews resculpt streams unnaturally. Hawkins said Cuomo and state environmental officials should issue regular reports outlining the status of the recovery efforts for water resources.

"The appearance of Governor Cuomo in the Adirondacks today unfortunately reminds us of the unnecessary destruction that was done to untold streams following Hurricane Irene due to Governor Cuomo's unwise waiving of environmental protections in the recovery effort," Hawkins wrote. "The state needs to revive its emergency response plan to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future."

Journal News, Lower Hudson: Green Party candidate knocks Astorino for 'patronage games'

“You have Cuomo trying to intimidate witnesses in the Moreland Commission scandal, you got Astorino using tax funded jobs to reward his supporters," Hawkins said in a statement Wednesday. "Both claim they are the anti-corruption candidates. They really are just foxes wanting to guard the hen house. To clean up corruption, we need a clean sweep in Albany and bring in the Greens."

Syracuse Post-Standard: NY Minute: Ralph Nader coming to campaign for Howie Hawkins

Ralph Nader is coming to Albany on Sept. 14 to stump for Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, of Syracuse.

 

August 27, 2014

NY State of Politics: Nader to Campaign for Hawkins

Former presidential candidate and consumer advocate Ralph Nader will campaign next month in Albany with Green Party gubernatorial hopeful Howie Hawkins. Nader is due to speak at the Unitarian Church in Albany on Sept. 14 at 4:30, organizers announced.

Adirondack Daily Enterprise: Cuomo revisits new Upper Jay firehouse, Whiteface highway

Meanwhile, Hawkins issued a press release during the governor's visit criticizing post-Irene recovery efforts that waived environmental regulations and let local crews resculpt streams unnaturally. Hawkins said Cuomo and state environmental officials should issue regular reports outlining the status of the recovery efforts for water resources.

"The appearance of Governor Cuomo in the Adirondacks today unfortunately reminds us of the unnecessary destruction that was done to untold streams following Hurricane Irene due to Governor Cuomo's unwise waiving of environmental protections in the recovery effort," Hawkins wrote. "The state needs to revive its emergency response plan to ensure that such mistakes are not repeated in the future."

 

August 26, 2014

WNYT TV-13 (NBC, Albany): Green Party candidate calls for oil train moratorium

The Green Party candidate for governor is calling for a moratorium on oil shipments by rail. Howie Hawkins wants New York to go 100 percent clean renewable energy by the year 2030.

Hawkins says he endorsed Tuesday's protest by the Green Party and others at the governor's mansion in Albany. The groups oppose transporting oil to the Port of Albany, with tanker cars passing within a few feet of housing projects in the South End. 

Capital Tonight Morning Memo: Hawkins: Me Too

Astorino and Teachout plan their own debate -- a Sept. 4 radio event on WNYC -- without Cuomo. But there is at least one candidate feeling left out: Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins. 

He achieved automatic ballot status this cycle when Hawkins gained more than 50,000 votes. This time around, his campaign hasn't let up on opportunities for fundraise and organize, especially off of slights like not being included in a debate. Hawkins's campaign this morning released a fundraising email in an effort to garner contributions from the debate diss.

Elmira Star-Gazette: Candidate for governor Hawkins in area this week 

Glens Falls Post-Star: Nader to campaign for Green Party candidates in Glens Falls visit

Former presidential candidate Ralph Nader will visit Glens Falls on Sept. 14 to campaign with Green Party congressional candidate Matt Funiciello and Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, and to promote Nader’s new book.

 

August 25, 2014

Newsday: Finally, a governor's race debate - sort of

Zephyr Teachout, will debate with Republican nominee Rob Astorino on Sept. 4. The WNYC-FM debate will be held during the Brian Lehrer show….

The deal for the debate, however, drew fire from Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

“Cuomo is ducking everyone and Astorino is ducking me,” Hawkins said. “The big losers are the voters who don’t hear the candidates debate the issues. Instead they get subjected to Cuomo’s $40 million Madison Ave. onslaught of media ads. We need more than Pepsi vs. Coke commercials.”

NY State of Politics: Astorino: Cuomo 'Disrespecting Democratic Process'

And while he’s called for debates in upcoming general election contest, Astorino has said he wants a one-on-one debate with Cuomo — a slight that Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says is unfair, especially considering he is nearing 10 percent in some public opinion polls.

The Journal News, Lower Hudson: Rob Astorino, Zephyr Teachout set to debate Sept. 4

But it won't be just Astorino and the Democratic candidate on the gubernatorial ballot this fall.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins will also appear, while five other non-major-party candidates filed petition signatures last week to create their own ballot lines. Hawkins is set to appear on the ballot because he gained more than 50,000 votes in the gubernatorial election last year; the independent candidates still could face a legal challenge that could knock them off the ballot.

 

WRGB CBS 6, Albany: Credico gears up for primary challenge against Cuomo

Credico says he will spend the next two and a half weeks meeting people throughout the state. He says if he loses in the primary he will throw his support behind Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

 

August 24, 2014

Rambin' with Roger blog: Governor Teachout? Governor Hawkins?

I suspect, if Teachout loses, a lot of disaffected Democrats, irritated by Cuomo’s Working Families Party endorsement, the Moreland Commission debacle, and a general irritation with the governor is a bully, will vote for Hawkins, especially if they feel it won’t cause Astorino to win.

 

August 23, 2014

WBAI, City Watch: Howie Hawkins Interview

10:00 am show in the August 23 archive. Interview runs between 10:19 and 10:45 am.

Shaleshock Media: Thumbs up for Howie Hawkins!

5 minute video interview: Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins is running against Cuomo in the general election. All the big Democrats are for fracking, as evidenced by Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. Come November, unless Cuomo doesn’t win the primary which he finds unlikely, Howie Hawkins will be the only candidate for governor who is for a ban on fracking and for 100% renewable energy in New York State by 2030, with all the jobs potential that can realize.

 

August 22, 2014

Aljazeera America: "No mo' Cuomo" by Ari Paul (Op-Ed)

Cuomo will face Teachout in the Sept. 9 primary, and if he wins, rank-and-file Teamster and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins and [Republican] Astorino in November.

WRVO, NPR, Central New York: State Fair hydrofracking protests draw activists and politicians

If Teachout and others fail in their bid to topple Cuomo in the September primary, then the job falls to Hawkins, of Syracuse, who also ran for governor four years ago.

"The reason I came in third in 2010 is I called for a ban when most of the movement was calling for a moratorium," Hawkins said. "Some were even saying that fracking and natural gas would be a lesser evil than coal. After the election, this group popped up with a ban for fracking. Groups that had a moratorium position now called for a ban. We moved the debate. And when we come to November, I’ll likely be the only ban-fracking candidate on the ballot, and I think it’s going to make a big difference.”

Hawkins also expects to get the anti-fracking vote in the general election.

“I think that along with the schools, this is the biggest issue in the campaign," Hawkins explained. "I mean look at this, this is the most energized movement along with the fight against high stakes testing and funding schools, across the state.”

Syracuse Post-Standard: 5 gov candidates, 2 sausage sandwiches & a rack of ribs

Cuomo ducked questions about whether he'd accept an invitation to debate Teachout, saying he'd let the campaigns decide.

Wait a minute, says Hawkins. If Astorino is willing to debate Teachout, then what about me?

Capital New York: Cuomo (and challengers) on display at State Fair

Teachout, Hawkins and Credico all stopped by an anti-fracking rally that drew 100 people to the fair's gate. Speakers chanted and banged on drums; Credico and Teachout worked the margins of the rally, while Hawkins mixed behind the speakers.

Teachout said it was “getting embarrassing” that Cuomo would not commit to debate her, while Credico attacked her for refusing to back Hawkins in the (likely) event that she loses her primary. Hawkins called for the state to stop investing in natural gas pipelines he said pave the way for fracking. The plan afterward, his campaign aide said, was to “probably get some lunch and pet some goats or something.”

Ithaca Journal: Green Party gubernatorial hopeful to visit Ithaca

Hawkins, 61, of Syracuse, supports banning hydraulic fracturing, stopping fossil fuel infrastructure construction, increasing the minimum wage to $15 per hour, single-payer health care and ending corporate personhood.

 

August 21, 2014

Capital Tonight: Why PEF Didn't Support Challengers To Sampson, Libous

[PEF president Sue] Kent wouldn't say whether the union would wind up endorsing Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins should Cuomo win the Democratic primary next month.

"Right now, our whole focus is on the Democratic primary," she said. "There's a finite number of voters who are going to come out."

Labor Press: NYS Labor Groups Defy Governor DINO; Is Revolution Far Behind?

“This isn’t something you get as of right,” Steve Allinger, legislative director, New York State United Teachers, later said on the convention floor. “It reflects a consensus view that there just isn’t support for a candidate for governor.”

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party Candidate for New York State governor, acknowledged that his worker-championing party will probably have to start winning more elections at different levels of government before they can hope to garner major union support.

“They’re not going to stick their necks out until they see us as a significant factor,” Hawkins said. “But the rank and file also needs to push our unions to look at the Greens.”

In contrast to his 2010 gubernatorial run when he placed third in a field of seven, but couldn’t get in the door, the Teamster turned candidate says that many labor unions are now at least “listening and interested” in his Green Party campaign. 

According to Allinger, the most important thing for the AFL-CIO is to “galvanize grassroots labor support for candidates we’re passionate about, and make a difference in the lives of our members.”

“Obviously, there are people with differing views,” Allinger said. “Some people do support the governor. Some don’t. Some support Howie Hawkins. You have to keep an open mind.”

Capital Tonight: Happening Today

At 12:30 p.m., organizations, farmers and residents gather to rally for a ban on hydrofracking statewide, Main Gate, The Great New York State Fairgrounds, 581 State Fair Blvd., Syracuse. (Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will attend, and will then hold a press conference at 1 p.m.)

Time Warner Cable News: Four Candidates Join Cuomo for Governor's Day at NYS Fair

The challengers said there are still some issues that could change things dramatically.

"I think Preet Bharara has the answer to that. If he comes through with some indictments, I think it's a whole new ball game. And those of us running against Cuomo have to bring that forward," said Howie Hawkins, a candidate for governor.

Time Warner Cable News: Protesters, Rain Great Cuomo at State Fair

Republican Rob Astorino and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins are also hoping to pick up some voter support at the fair.

Syracuse Post-Standard: In race for governor, Astorino says NYS Fair sausage sandwich has a 'kick to it'

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for New York governor in 2014, holds a ban fracking sign outside the New York State Fair on Aug. 21, 2014. Hawkins participated in an anti-fracking protest on the day that Gov. Andrew Cuomo visited the fair.

NY State of Politics: Extras

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and two of his three daughters got drenched at the State Fair.…and yes, he ate the sausage. (And he was not alone).

Albany Times Union: Hawkins to Astorino: How about our debate?

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins is calling out his Republican opponent Rob Astorino for an apparent inconsistency in his attitude toward participation in debates.

“If Rob Astorino is so committed to having Andrew Cuomo debate Zephyr Teachout in the primary, why is he so opposed to debating me in the general election?,” Hawkins asks in a statement. “After all, I am polling a little better than Teachout, and I am closer to Astorino in the polls than he is to Cuomo."

Albany Times Union: Many fingers point over debates

Also Thursday, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins chided Astorino for failing to agree to debates that include the third-party candidate — a format that would tend to dilute the potential anti-Cuomo impact of such an event.

"If Rob Astorino is so committed to having Andrew Cuomo debate Zephyr Teachout in the primary, why is he so opposed to debating me in the general election?," Hawkins asked in a statement.

Proud did not respond to a request for comment. Astorino has also offered to debate Teachout one-on-one before the Sept. 9 Democratic primary.

A three-way matchup in this week's Quinnipiac University poll showed Cuomo at 52 percent, with Astorino at 27 percent and Hawkins bringing up the rear at 7 percent.

Hawkins finished third in the 2010 election, and took part in a slightly chaotic Hofstra University debate that included all seven gubernatorial candidates on the ballot.

Queens Chronicle: Community Events

Queens Green Party campaign, support Howie Hawkins for Governor and Brian Jones for Lt. Governor of New York as an alternative to Democrats & Republicans. Thurs., Sept. 4, 7 p.m., All Saints Episcopal Church, 43-12 46 St., Sunnyside.

 

August 20, 2014

Quinnipiac Poll: Gov. Cuomo Is Part Of New York Corruption Problem, More Voters Tell Quinnipiac University Poll; But Issue Has No Impact As Gov Tops Challenger 2-1

If the election for Governor were being held today, and the candidates were Andrew Cuomo the Democrat, Rob Astorino the Republican, and Howie Hawkins the Green Party candidate, for whom would you vote?

Cuomo 52%, Astorino 27%, Hawkins 7%

Syracuse Post-Standard: NY voters' dim view of Cuomo's anti-corruption effort don't erode Cuomo's 2-1 lead over Astorino

89 percent haven't learned enough about Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins to form an opinion.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Cuomo to vist New York State Fair Thursday

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will hold a news conference in front of the main entrance to the state fair at 1 p.m. Hawkins will attend an a rally earlier in the day at the state fair against hydraulic fracture drilling

Albany Times Union: Poll: Cuomo still leads, but Astorino's profile rises

Quinnipiac’s data shows Teachout with a lower unknown rating than recent polls from Marist and Siena have shown. Eighty-eight percent of voters say they don’t know enough about Teachout, and her favorable-unfavorable rating is 6-5.

For what it’s worth, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins has nearly identical numbers. His favorable-unfavorable is 6-5, while 89 percent of voters say they haven’t heard enough about him.

Washington Times: Voters say N.Y. Gov. Cuomo part of government corruption problem, not solution

Many voters still don’t know about Mr. Cuomo’s opponents. Fifty-one percent don’t know enough about Mr. Astorino to form an opinion, and about nine in 10 voters haven’t heard of either Zephyr Teachout — who is challenging Mr. Cuomo in the Democratic primary — or Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

Species and Class: Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins discusses animal treatment

The same domineering institutions, ideologies, and sensibilities that rationalize the domination of human by human also rationalize the domination of nature, including non-human animals. In order to harmonize society with nature, we must harmonize human with human. The fight against the mistreatment of animals, like the fights against racism, sexism, and exploitation, are part of the fight for a humane ecological society.

When we fight for the economic human rights to decent jobs, living wages, publicly-funded health care, a good education, affordable housing and public transit, and clean energy and a sustainable environment, we are fighting for a society in which the well-being of each is dependent on the well-being of all of its sentient creatures, human and non-human alike.

 

August 19, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Astorino Unveils His Job Plan in the Southern Tier

August 18, 2014

AP: New York voters could see crowded ballot this fall

In 2010, Cuomo ran on three lines. This year, he's seeking to run on four: the Democratic Party, the Independence Party, the Working Families Party and the Women's Equality Party, a new line created by his campaign this year.

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive, hopes to run on three lines: the Republican Party, the Conservative Party and a line he hopes to add called Stop Common Core.

Both campaigns say their efforts to add a new ballot line are meant to galvanize support around important issues — but Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins questioned whether they help voters.

"I think it confuses the picture," he said. "To put up single-issue ballot lines to get votes, it just dilutes the ballot."

 

August 16, 2014

Newsday: NY leaders' Israel trip called 'good politics'

In contrast, Cuomo's rivals have questioned whether the trip was a way to break away from a tough political stretch.

The governor has been facing heat for his administration's possible interference with an anti-corruption commission, often referred to as the Moreland Commission.

"As governor, he should be facing up to his interference with the Moreland Commission," said Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins. "This seems like just another bad attempt to change the topic."

Glens Falls Post Star: Hawkins to campaign with Funiciello

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins will campaign with congressional ticket mate Matt Funiciello next week.

Funiciello said Saturday that he and Hawkins are planning a rally and press conference in front of the General Electric Co. plant in Fort Edward, which the company is closing.

 

August 15, 2014

CNY Vision: Hawkins Faults Cuomo for Delaying Convening of Minimum Wage Board, despite post-Moreland News Release

Cuomo delayed announcing the formation of a minimum wage board for more than a year after being directed to do so by the state legislature. Hawkins said the July 24 announcement on the minimum wage board was part of the flurry of press releases he issued in a desperate attempt to divert attention after the NY Times ran an in-depth story on interference by the Cuomo administration in the Moreland Commission on Public Corruption.

The Nation: How Zephyr Teachout Became a Contender

Teachout is not a radical at heart. “I’m a down-the-line Democrat,” she said onstage, and has repeated it in interviews. Unlike Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones, the Green Party’s candidates for governor and lieutenant governor, or Kshama Sawant, who won election as a socialist to Seattle’s City Council, Teachout doesn’t boldly trumpet socialist policy. Yet it’s still amazing how radical a simple populist Democrat sounds.

Time Warner Cable News: Unions Make Endorsements--But Not for Cuomo

But also challenging Cuomo for liberal hearts and minds in the general election is Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate. He says that if Teachout loses the Democratic primary, those voters will back his candidacy.

"I expect most of them will come to our ticket. I think Cuomo, the people who are voting for him know who Cuomo is and they're against him," Hawkins said.

Hawkins ran in 2010, hitting the 50,000-vote threshold to achieve automatic ballot status for the Green Party this year. Hawkins says this time around, his candidacy is being taken seriously by the press and key labor officials.

"The media thought that we'd come in last. We came in third out of seven. And I think we're getting now a lot more respect from the unions," Hawkins said.

Hawkins also met with the state teachers union's leadership as well as the Public Employees Federation. While he didn't come away with endorsements, he says that's a switch from four years ago.

"The fact that the Green Party is included now with the unions is a change, we're getting the respect now that we didn't get in 2010," he said.

 

August 14, 2014

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Howie Hawkins and Zephyr Teachout Interview

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins and Democratic Party hopeful Zephyr Teachout join me in the studio.

Albany Times Union: Wage Action Urged

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, speaks during a news conference on Thursday at the Legislative Office Building in Albany. Hawkins accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of failing to convene a minimum wage board.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Heartened PEF Considering His Candidacy

Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins on Thursday said the fact he’s been meeting with the state’s major labor unions for a potential endorsement is a sign his candidacy has gained a new level of support.

Hawkins has met with the leadership of the statewide teachers union NYSUT as well as the Public Employees Federation about potential endorsements….

Hawkins was in Albany today to meet with PEF, a labor group that represents mostly white-collar workers, and to hold a joint interview with Zephyr Teachout, the Fordham law professor challenging Cuomo on the Democratic ballot line.

He also held a news conference knocking Cuomo’s tipped-workers minimum wage board as “cynical” after it was announced when the governor’s office was fending off new allegations surrounding the Moreland Commission controversy.

Should Teachout and comedian-activist Randy Credico lose next month, Hawkins expects their voters to cross over to his side.

“I expect most of them will come to our ticket,” he said. “I haven’t heard anyone say I’m going to vote for Teachout and then I’m going to vote for Cuomo.”

He added: “I would encourage Democrats to vote ABC — Anybody But Cuomo.”

NY State of Politics: Inside NYSUT's Endorsement Process

Pallotta said he believes the governor wanted NYSUT’s endorsement, but was a little vague on whether Cuomo had formally sought the union’s nod, saying: “We’ve spoken with the different candidates…we’ve spoken with the governor, and he understands our situation and needs, as did (Green Party candidate) Howie Hawkins, and (Cuomo’s Democratic challenger) Zephyr Teachout.”

As for Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino, the Westchester County executive, Pallotta said his name was brought forward, but “not as much” as Hawkins and Teachout were mentioned.

Afro Universe: NY Teacher's Union Staying out of Governor's Race

New York’s powerful teachers’ union will sit out of this year’s governor’s race. The union says Thursday it won’t endorse Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, his liberal primary challenger Zephyr Teachout, Green Party hopeful Howie Hawkins or Republican Rob Astorino. The union has sparred with Cuomo over teacher evaluations, the Common Core standards and his support for charter schools. Teachout and Hawkins both hold positions more in line with the union, but they’re far behind Cuomo in name recognition and fundraising. Union executive vice president Andrew Pallotta says members fiercely debated the endorsement but decided in the end to stay out of the race. The union also sat out of the 2010 gubernatorial race.

NY State of Politics: Credico Arrested, Again

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins issued a statement calling for Credico’s “immediate release” and the dismissal of all charges against him.

“Americans have the constitutional right to videotape cops in public places,” Hawkins said. ”Such taping is critical to help reduce the problem of police violence against citizens, particularly people of color and those who politically dissent. Such as the recent videotaping of the police killing Eric Garner.”

Capital New York: Randy Credico charged with menacing politics officers

Howie Hawkins, a Green Party candidate, issued a statement on Thursday morning condemning Credico's arrest and calling for his release.

“Americans have the constitutional right to videotape cops in public places. Such taping is critical to help reduce the problem of police violence against citizens, particularly people of color and those who politically dissent,” Hawkins stated.

Independent Political Report: Howie Hawkins: Free Randy Credico, Arresting for Taping Cops Unlawful

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for Governor, called today for the immediate release of fellow candidate Randy Credico and the dismissal of all charges.

Credico was arrested and detained over night in New York City when he began to videotape two white men aggressively stopping a Black man. The men, who were apparently plain clothes transit cops, then arrested Credico.

WNYT TV-13 (NBC, Albany): Challengers react to Cuomo trip to Israel

Howie Hawkins doesn't have to worry about a primary. He's seeking the Governor's office as the Green Party candidate in November.
He also questions the Governor's trip to Israel, especially his turning down an offer to meet with Palestinians.

"And I found it morally offensive, given all the civilian deaths on the Palestinian side, that they go there and give unconditional support to what Israel did," Hawkins said. "I think neither side is above criticism and we should not give unilateral support to one side or the other."

AP: NY teacher union won't endorse in governor's race

The union, which didn't make an endorsement in the 2010 race either, has sparred with Cuomo over teacher evaluations, the Common Core standards and his support for charter schools….

Teachout and Green Party hopeful Howie Hawkins hold positions more in line with the union, but they're far behind Cuomo in name recognition and fundraising.

CBS New York: NY Teachers' Union Staying Out of Governor's Race

New York’s powerful teachers’ union will sit out of this year’s governor’s race. The union says Thursday it won’t endorse Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo, his liberal primary challenger Zephyr Teachout, Green Party hopeful Howie Hawkins or Republican Rob Astorino.

The union has sparred with Cuomo over teacher evaluations, the Common Core standards and his support for charter schools.
Teachout and Hawkins both hold positions more in line with the union, but they’re far behind Cuomo in name recognition and fundraising.

Auburn Citizen: NYSUT, NY's powerful teachers union, doesn't endorse Cuomo or Astorino in race for governor

New York State United Teachers opted not to endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Republican challenger Rob Astorino or any of the minor party contenders, including Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

 

August 13, 2014

Albany Times Union, Capitol Confidential: Teachout, Hawkins to woo PEF leaders

It sounds like gubernatorial candidates Zephyr Teachout, who is challenging Andrew Cuomo on the Democratic line and Howie Hawkins on the Green Party, will go before the executive board at the Public Employees Federation.

Here’s a notice that PEF members have been receiving from union President Susan Kent:

"Good Afternoon,
I met with gubernatorial candidates Andrew Cuomo, Rob Astorino, Zephyr Teachout and Howie Hawkins and invited each of them to address the meeting of the PEF Executive Board on Thursday, August 14th from 10:00 AM to noon. At this time, Zephyr Teachout and Howie Hawkins have accepted my invitation."

Capital New York: Teachout declines to weight in on Israel

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins criticized Cuomo for making the trip. But Teachout would only parry Dicker's questions by saying, in various ways, that she's focused on New York.

Socialist Worker: Israeli apartheid's Democratic champions

This year, there will be some independent candidates on the ballot who stand in support of Palestine. In New York, socialists Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones are running on the Green Party ticket for governor and lieutenant governor against Andrew Cuomo….

In a statement released in the midst of the worst bombing, the Hawkins-Jones campaign declared, "We denounce Israel's ongoing slaughter of the people of Gaza...As governor and lieutenant governor of New York State, we can--and will--support the efforts to Boycott, Sanction and Divest from Israeli firms. New York State must divest from its financial relationships with the State of Israel until it ceases the systematic and ongoing violation of Palestinian human rights."

 

August 12, 2014

WRPI Troy: Brian Jones on The People's Business

Brian Jones will be a guest on the People's Business on 91.5 FM in the Capital District this morning at 8 AM at www.wrpi.org on the internet. Brian attended the teachers' rally in Albany last night.

Newsday: Cuomo opponents give some criticism, some support for Israel trip

“I hope he has a good trip, and I look forward to engaging in a debate when he gets back,” said Zephyr Teachout, Cuomo’s opponent in the Democratic primary in September.

Cuomo so far won’t commit to any debates.

“The Democrats and Republicans have proved themselves incapable of being an honest broker for peace,” said Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. “They blindly stand with Israel no matter how outrageous its crimes against the Palestinian people.”

Hawkins criticized Cuomo for leaving Albany during a conflict that has eroded some of Cuomo’s popularity and cut into his still huge lead in the polls. Cuomo has been accused in press reports of interfering with the Moreland Commission on corruption as it sought to investigate his allies. Cuomo, however, said he considered the interaction necessary advice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is investigating.

“As governor, he should be facing up to his interference with the Moreland Commission,” Hawkins said. “This seems like just another bad attempt to change the topic.”

Newsday: Cuomo and legislative leaders say no state money spent on Israel trip

"Cuomo is not yet running for president,” said Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, referring to talk among Cuomo’s supporters that he could seek the presidency in 2016.

Then Hawkins criticized the Democrat for leaving Albany on a high-profile trip amid a conflict that has hurt Cuomo's poll numbers. Cuomo has been accused in news reports of interfering with the Moreland Commission on corruption, although he said he considered the interaction necessary advice. The U.S. attorney’s office is investigating.

 “As governor, he should be facing up to his interference with the Moreland Commission and blocking the clean up of corruption at the state Capitol,” Hawkins said. “This seems like just another bad attempt to change the topic.”

Capital New York: Cuomo slated to meet Neanyahu, won't vist Gaza

Cuomo's Republican opponent in the November election, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, has called the trip a “good thing.” Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, though, criticized the junket.

"Cuomo is not yet running for president. As governor, he should be facing up to his interference with the Moreland Commission and blocking the clean up of corruption at the State Capitol. This seems like just another bad attempt to change the topic," Hawkins said. "The Green Party has always condemned attacks on civilians by any side. The reality is that Israel has turned Gaza into an open prison camp. The Democrats and Republicans have proved themselves incapable of being an honest broker for peace because they blindly stand with Israel no matter how outrageous its crimes against the Palestinian people. We need to elect Greens so that the US can join the rest of the world in supporting peace in the Middle East, starting with an end to the illegal occupation.”

WNYT TV-13 (NBC, Albany): Governor Cuomo Lead Delegation to Israel

Cuomo’s primary opponent, Zephyr Teachout, did not immediately comment on the trip to Israel. Republican Rob Astorino, speaking on Talk 1300 AM, said he has “no problem” with it.

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins differed sharply. “It’s morally offensive after the Israeli slaughter of more than one thousand civilian Palestinians,” he said in a statement.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins to Israel-Bound Cuomo: You're Not President (Yet)

Cuomo’s GOP opponent, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, declined to criticize the Israel visit in an interview with Fred Dicker on Talk-1300, saying that it’s important to show New York is united against terrorism.

Hawkins, who is polling at 6 percentage points according to this week’s Siena poll, obviously sees things a bit differently.

“The Green Party has always condemned attacks on civilians by any side. The reality is that Israel has turned Gaza into an open prison camp. The Democrats and Republicans have proved themselves incapable of being an honest broker for peace because they blindly stand with Israel no matter how outrageous its crimes against the Palestinian people. We need to elect Greens so that the US can join the rest of the world in supporting peace in the Middle East, starting with an end to the illegal occupation,” Hawkins said.

WAER, NPR, Syracuse: Can Education Issue and New Party Steer Voters Toward Trailing GOP Candidates in NY State Races?

A new Siena College poll does not have good new for the GOP, showing Astorino trailing Andrew Cuomo by more than 30 %, while Green Party Candidate Howie Hawkins draws 6% support.

 

August 11, 2014

NY State of Politics: Here and Now 

At 7:30 p.m., NYSUT holds a rally themed “public education, NOT private profits,” steps of the state Education Department, 89 Washington Ave., Albany. (Green Party LG candidate Brian Jones will attend).

NY State of Politics: Siena Poll: Cuomo Takes A Hit, But Moreland Not on Voters' Radar

Despite the ongoing controversy surrounding his office’s involvement in an anti-corruption panel, Gov. Andrew Cuomo continues to hold a wide, 32 percentage-point lead over his Republican challenger Rob Astorino, a Siena College poll released this morning found.

It’s a small dent in a nevertheless commanding lead for Cuomo, who also holds a broad lead in fundraising and name recognition versus Astorino.

The poll found Cuomo would defeat Astorino, the Westchester County executive, 58 percent to 26 percent. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins netted 6 percent.

Time Warner Cable News: Siena Poll: Moreland Controversy Not Hurting Cuomo's Favorability

A Siena College poll on Monday found the governor still leads his Republican opponent Rob Astorino by 32 percentage points. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins polled at 6 percent. The poll found 67 percent of voters hadn't even heard of the Moreland Commission or the controversy surrounding it.

Long Island Politics: State Green Party Candidates Call Education a Human Right

In Open Letter from Howie Hawkins for Governor and Brian Jones for Lt. Governor to New York Teachers – Green Party recently called Education a Human Right.

Legislative Gazette: Cuomo unscathed by Moreland Commission stories; But the governor's favorability is at an all-time low

Meanwhile, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, is enjoying a slight uptick in the polls. 

Of the registered voters who participated in the poll, 54 percent said they plan to vote for Cuomo, 23 percent said they will vote for Astorino, 7 percent said they will vote for Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, 16 percent are undecided and 1 percent said they plan to vote for an "other" candidate.

Legislative Gazette: This is very dangerous territory for Cuomo (Op-Ed by Alan Chartock)

If all of that isn't enough, there is a Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, who will certainly split the progressive vote. So why is Andrew trying to get Teachout thrown off the Democratic ballot? Theoretically, all he has to do is to stay shut and win but Cuomo is clearly scared and here's why.

 

August 10, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Green Party candidate wants debate after uptick in new poll

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party nominee for governor, renewed his call for debates after he rose to 7 percent in the latest NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal/Marist College poll released Tuesday.

Both Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his Republican challenger Rob Astorino dropped in the recent poll, the first after the Moreland Commission revelations in the new York Times broke on July 23.

"Voters have a right to hear where the candidates stand on the issues. I am facing two conservatives in the major parties who are out of touch with the needs and concerns of most voters. The more the voters hear about where the Green Party stands, the better I continue to do," said Hawkins.

 

August 8, 2014

NY State of Politics: Here and Now

Also at 11 a.m., Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins holds a news conference “to contrast his positions on schools, desegregation, and affordable housing with that of Republican Rob Astorino and Democrat Andrew Cuomo,” entrance to the County Office Bldg., 148 Martine Ave., White Plains.

 

August 5, 2014

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Says Poll Showing Merits Debate Spot 

Hawkins said the improving poll numbers show he’s eligible for appearing in a debate.

“Voters have a right to hear where the candidates stand on the issues. I am facing two conservatives in the major parties who are out of touch with the needs and concerns of most voters. The more the voters hear about where the Green Party stands, the better I continue to do,” said Hawkins in a statement.

Latin Post: Moreland Commission Corruption Crisis Could Go 'Beyond Watergate,' Say Green Party Candidates

New York Green Party candidates for governor and attorney general were on the steps of Tweed Courthouse on Monday and said the corruption at the heart of the Moreland Commission goes far beyond Watergate.

"We are very glad to see [U.S. Attorney] Preet Bharara doing an independent investigation of what the Moreland Commission started to investigate, and crimes that may have been committed subsequently," said Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for New York governor. "Many are saying this is like Watergate, that the cover up may be worse than the crime, but that's debatable because the crimes are very serious -- we are talking about pay-to-play, what is bribery. Now under our elections laws it may be legal bribery but bribery none the less."

Legislative Gazette: Green Party's Hawkins calls for gubernatorial debate after uptick in recent poll

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party nominee for governor, renewed his call for debates after he rose to 7 percent in the latest NBC 4 New York/Wall Street Journal/Marist College poll released Tuesday.

Albany Times Union: The impact of Moreland on the polls

The third-party candidates are still hanging on to small percentages of the vote, though there is a mountain to climb to get to Cuomo’s level.

Seven percent of voters statewide said they would vote for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins. The number stays the same among voters who have heard about the Moreland controversy.

Epoch Times: Cuomo Still Dominant in Polls After Moreland Dustup

The results of the investigation have become a rallying point for Cuomo’s opponents after the New York Times published a lengthy front-page evisceration of the governor’s dealings with the Moreland Commission.

Teachout, who is to the left of Cuomo politically, held a joint press conference with Rob Astorino to attack Cuomo for corruption. Previously she had called on the governor to resign, if he knew about his top aide’s actions.

More stridently, the Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins said the corruption surrounding the Moreland Commission “goes far beyond Watergate.”

Legislative Gazette: Morelandgate not harming Cuomo's reelection chances, according to new Marist poll; But the governor's favorability rating reaches all-time low

Of the registered voters who participated in the poll, 54 percent said they would vote for Cuomo, 23 percent said they would vote for Astorino, 7 percent said they would vote for Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate, 16 percent are undecided and 1 percent said they would vote for an "other" candidate.

 

August 4, 2014

New York Observer: Green Party A.G. Candidate: Donovan Too Close to Cops to Handle Garner Case

Ramon Jimenez–a Green Party challenger to Attorney General Eric Schneiderman–today argued that Republican Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan is too intimately tied to law enforcement to prosecute the officers involved in the chokehold homicide of Eric Garner.

Epoch Times: Green Party Candidate to Still Run in Teachout Primary Upset

“We have our differences,” Hawkins said. “She’s for partial, I’m for full public campaign financing. I think we need co-ops, public enterprises, a state bank, not just helping small business startups.”

 

August 3, 2014

NBC New York: Cuomo Holds Wide Lead Despite Anti-Corruption Panel Controversy: NBCNY Poll

Cuomo, who is running for his second term in November, leads Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino 54 percent to 23 percent, a new NBC 4 New York/The Wall Street Journal/Marist College poll found. The Green Party candidate, Howie Hawkins, got 7 percent.

 

August 1, 2014

North Country Public Radio: Hawkins advocates full-time legislature and public finance of campaigns

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who is running for governor, says it's a good thing that federal prosecutors are investigating Governor Cuomo. Hawkins spoke yesterday on the public radio program Capitol Pressroom.

Buffalo News: Letter: Include all candidates in gubernatorial debates

Howie Hawkins of the Green Party should be included in all gubernatorial debates. Rob Astorino is currently challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to debates, but Hawkins has a much different perspective on the issues than either Cuomo or Astorino, who tend to agree on conservative economic issues.

 

July 31, 2015

Latin Post: Moreland Commission Fallout: Critics Say Governor Cuomo May Have Interfered with Corruption Probe

Bronx civil rights activist, Ramon Jimenez, and the Green Party candidate for Attorney General has criticized New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman for what he says is an ongoing failure to prosecute corruption. The Green Party had called for the Moreland Commission to investigate a claim that special interests had donated tens of millions of dollars to Cuomo. They maintain Cuomo's office squashed the Commission's effort to subpoena the Real Estate Board of New York, whose members donate enormous sums. Those same interests, according to Project Vote Smart, have donated more than $230,000 to Schneiderman.

"Schneiderman stood silent when Cuomo disbanded the Commission, even though all the members of the commission were sworn in as deputy attorney generals. When Cuomo contradicted his original statement about the role of Commission, Schneiderman didn't say peep," said Jimenez. "Corruption permeates the State Capitol, but Mr. Schneiderman can't seem to find any to prosecute."

The Week: Don't vote for Andrew Cuomo

Cuomo's support on the left has always been fairly weak. With the governor on the back foot, now is the perfect time to make a real effort to defeat him. In the Democratic primary on Sept. 9, he is being challenged by Zephyr Teachout, who narrowly lost the Working Families Party nomination. And in the general election, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is worth supporting.

Capitol Pressroom: Howie Hawkins Interview

15 minute interview starts 30 minutes into the show.

Capital Tonight: Hawkins Weighs In On Moreland Commission Mess

If elected Governor of New York state, Green party candidate Howie Hawkins says his first act in office would be to revive the Moreland Commision. Hawkins says he is glad US Attorney Preet Bharara is looking into Cuomo’s anti-corruption commission. Hawkins joined us from Syracuse to talk more about this and taking money out of politics.

Focus on Albany: Howie Hawkins talks about the Moreland Commission

Green Party Candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins shares his thoughts on the Moreland Commission.

 

July 30, 2014

Talk 1300 Radio, Fred Dicker Live from the State Capitol - Howie Hawkins Interview

15 minute interview starts 15 minutes into the show.

Jewish Political News and Updates: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Condemns Israel’s ‘Gaza Slaughter,’ Supports BDS

“As Governor and Lt. Governor of NY State, we can — and will — support the efforts to Boycott, Sanction and Divest from Israeli firms,” the two long shots, but recognized figures, said. “New York State must divest from it’s financial relationships with the State of Israel until it ceases the systematic and ongoing violation of Palestinian human rights.”

 

July 29, 2014

WBIX, Utica - Kheeler in the Morning: Howie Hawkins Interview

Howie Hawkins is the Green Party Candidate for Governor. Hawkins addresses the Moreland Commission and Eric Schneiderman’s role in it as well. Although Governor Cuomo is a strong candidate, there are some holes including fracking, common core, etc.

WHCU, Ithaca - Hawkins speaks against corruption

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins offers a clear distinction between his leadership and Andrew Cuomo’s

Skaneatales Press: Howie Hawkins challenges Cuomo, Astorino in gubernatorial race

Though he’s seen varying levels of success, Hawkins feels compelled to keep running.

“[It’s because I have] this historical perspective on what we need and having been involved in movements that you think you’re getting nowhere and suddenly explodes,” he said. “I saw it in my life in the ‘70s with the anti-Vietnam War movement and really earlier with the Civil Rights Movement. In the ‘70s, it was the anti-nuclear movement, the ‘80s the anti-apartheid movement, the ‘90s the global justice or what they call anti-globalization, and then in the 2000s these massive anti-Iraq War demonstrations. So I’ve seen how little groups are agitating and people may like what you’re saying, but they’re not coming out with you, then suddenly everybody wants to be there with you. I think at some point we’re going to see that in the electorate. We’ll have an electoral insurgency where we’ll have an independent, progressive third party.”

 

July 28, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Cuomo's critics pile on following Times story

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins also released a statement Wednesday criticizing Cuomo for his alleged tampering in the commission's affairs.

"Mr. Cuomo's behavior, including deceiving the public as to the workings of the Commission, falls far short of the minimum ethical standards for the highest elected official in our state," Hawkins said.

"While we are encouraged that the U.S. Attorney has picked up investigations dropped by Cuomo's disbanding of the Commission, this story makes clear the urgent need for an independent criminal and ethical investigation of the activities of Mr. Cuomo, starting with the enormous amount of massive campaign contributions he has raised during his tenure," Hawkins added.

 

July 26, 2014

 

Truthout: How's He Doin'? Bill de Blasio After Six Months by Danny Katch

It is premature, however, to declare that de Blasio and the Working Families Party have succeeded in shifting the state Democratic Party to the left. As Jarret Murphy in The Nation noted, "The governor walked away with what he wanted. The [Working Families] party got an IOU." In an ominous sign of the strength of that IOU, Cuomo started walking back some of his promises within days of the agreement. Cuomo - and now the Working Families Party - will continue to face electoral opposition from his left, first from Zephyr Teachout in the Democratic primary, then from the Green Party's Howie Hawkins in the general election.

Access Hollywood Live: Cuomo Corruption Report

Cuomo's Democratic rival, Zephyr Teachout, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins both say the [NY Times] report could change the tenor of the upcoming election.

 

July 25, 2014

CBS/AP: Gov. Andrew Cuomo under fire for meddling in corruption investigation

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins called for an immediate independent investigation of Cuomo and his campaign war chest with more than $35 million, calling him the kingpin of New York's "pay-to-play political culture driven by large checks."

NY Daily News: Letter - Let him be heard

Manhattan: Howie Hawkins of the Green Party should be included in any gubernatorial debates. He calls for a $15 minimum wage, universal single-payer health care, a ban on hydrofracking and a Green New Deal to create 100% renewable energy for New York by 2030. While Cuomo has millions of dollars from his Wall Street backers to flood the airwaves with ads to make him look good and his opponents look bad, voters need real information — an opportunity to hear each candidate challenged on their campaign slogans and forced to answer the difficult questions they would prefer to avoid. Give democracy a chance, and include all candidates in the debates — including Hawkins. Mindy Rosier 

Syracuse Post-Standard: Anger and cheers for Syracuse mayor who would welcome migrant children awaiting deportation

Long-time community activist Howie Hawkins, who is running as the Green Party candidate for governor, said after the meeting that he thought opening a federal shelter might help the North Side by creating a few jobs and some economic activity at a vacant campus.

But he said the issue is tinged with fear, noting that several audience members raised concerns that teens crossing the border might be part of the violent international Mara Salvatrucha gang, or MS-13.

"There are some people on the North Side who are really scared,'' Hawkins said. "And I think they have misinformation, like they think all these MS-13 kids are going to take over the neighborhood. These kids aren't going to be running around the neighborhood. They're basically going to be on lockdown.''

 

July 24, 2014

WRVO: Green Party gubernatorial candidate wants to debate Cuomo, Astorino

“The biggest contributors to Gov. Cuomo are those who are getting contracts and tax breaks for developments in Syracuse," Hawkins said. "Schwartz interfered with the Moreland Commission and then Cuomo shut it down. We have tax cuts for the rich which isn’t, I don’t think, about economics. It’s about corruption."

The Journal News: #lohudreacts: Common Core

The protests against Common Core come from conservative circles as well as liberal-leaning bastions of union support. In fact, Fordham law professor Zephyr Teachout, who is challenging Gov. Andrew Cuomo in a Democratic primary, and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, blast Common Core.

 

July 23, 2014

AP: Criminal probe of Cuomo administration urged

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins called for an immediate independent investigation of Cuomo and his campaign war chest with more than $35 million, calling him the kingpin of New York's "pay-to-play political culture driven by large checks."

Albany Times Union: Reaction to NYT's Moreland bombshell rolls in

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins called for an investigation into “the activities of Mr. Cuomo starting with the enormous amount of massive campaign contributions he has raised during his tenure. This investigation needs to examine the funds that Governor has raised — and spent — for various party and independent committees that he has controlled, as well as the potential misuse of public funds to promote his candidacy.”

Time Warner Cable News: Gov. Cuomo's Adversaries and Ethical Watchdog Groups Pounce on Moreland Report

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who registered six percent in that poll, says it could turn the election's focus to ethics.

"This just corroborates what we already had an inkling was going on. I came out here saying we need a debate on jobs, but after reading that we need a debate on ethics and campaign finance reform," Hawkins said.

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Candidate for Governor Wants Investigation into Cuomo, Moreland

Hawkins is also raising questions about a report from the Syracuse Post Standard which indicates the governors largest political donations have come from business people who've received lucrative contracts on state projects in recent years.

 

July 22, 2014

Jacobin Magazine: More Than a Protest Vote by Ari Paul

It points to a theme Hawkins has talked about before: mainstream unions and the Working Families Party are good at mobilizing people, but he wants to organize. The former are very good at emailing members when a campaign is around the corner and can get them to sign a petition or write their representative when need be. But organizing is a year-round project and, unlike mobilizing, is a two-way relationship, in which everyday citizens speak their minds and develop their own political strategies, and realize that they’re not a person with a grievance but a part of a community that lacks a political voice.

Or, as Jones puts it, “I hope that this campaign becomes a place where people can find a political home.”

 

July 21, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Poll: Cuomo has 'enormous' lead over Astorino, but not so much Upstate

The poll also included Howie Hawkins, of Syracuse, the Green Party candidate for governor, at 6 percent. Of those polled, 81 percent did not know him.

Auburn Citizen: Siena Poll: Cuomo continues to hold big lead over Rob Astorino in race for governor

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, a Syracuse resident who first ran for governor in 2010, entered the race in April. In the poll released Monday, six percent of voters said they would vote for Hawkins, up from four percent in last month's poll.

Jewish Political News and Updates: Cuomo Leads Astorino By 37 Points; Loses Some ground Among Jewish Voters

Astorino, on his part, remains unknown to most voters. He has a 20-19 percent favorability rating, with 61 percent having no opinion. Howie Hawkins has a 9-11 percent favorability rating and Zephyr Teachout, Cuomo’s primary challenger, has a mere 6-8 percent favorability rating.

Capital New York: Siena poll: Cuomo keeps 37 point lead over Astorino

Zephyr Teachout, the former Howard Dean aide and law professor, who submitted petitions to run against Cuomo in a Democratic primary, is still unknown to 86 percent of the voters. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins is unknown to 81 percent of likely voters.

Legislative Gazette: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate raises more dough

Hawkins received contributions from more than 650 individuals, or a median donation of $35 and an average of $77 per donor. Hawkins, in a press release, promoted his donation figures as a sign that he has strong support among working class New Yorkers.

 

July 18, 2014

WBAI, Haskins in the Morning: Brian Jones Interview

10 minute interview starts at 1 hour, 20 minutes into the show.

 

July 17, 2014

The Bullet: The Working Class and Left Politics: Back on the American Radar by Dan La Botz

In New York State, Howie Hawkins will be running again for governor on the Green Party ticket, against incumbent Democrat Andrew Cuomo and the Republican nominee. While a Green Party member, Hawkins runs as an open socialist, critical not only of his political rivals, but also of the banks and corporations and the capitalist system.

 

July 15, 2014

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Brian Jones Interview

Green Party Lt. Governor candidate Brian Jones discusses education policy.

New NY 23 blog: Hawkins Says Astorino Afraid To Debate a Progressive; Renews Call for a Gubernatorial Debate Focused on Education

Would Howie Hawkins make a good Governor? Who knows? Certainly it takes more than progressive political views to be an effective Governor, particularly when some in the NYS Legislature have radically different ideas.  Skills useful for herding cats would be valuable in NYS politics. Still, those who may agree with Howie Hawkins’ political views might do well to consider voting for him for Governor this fall. At the very least it will help the Green Party maintain its line on the ballot.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Republican candidate Astorino challenges Cuomo to one-on-one debate

Astorino has said he opposes having third-party candidates who achieved ballot access to be included in any debate, a position that Syracuse native and Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins takes issue with.

 

July 14, 2014

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Sees Green

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins announced late last night that his 2014 fundraising has already surpassed the entire amount he raised for his 2012 bid, which garnered more than 50,000 votes and won his party automatic ballot status for four years.

More than 650 donors have contributed to the Green candidates’ effort, with an average contribution of $77 and a median contribution of $35.

Auburn Citizen: Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins raises $50,766 — more than his entire 2010 campaign

Hawkins didn't miss the opportunity to take a swipe at Cuomo, the Democratic incumbent who has a $33 million war chest. Cuomo's campaign hasn't released his July fundraising figures.

"Cuomo has the billionaires and millionaires from high finance, big real estate and big business," Hawkins said. "He isn't promising his campaign contributors that he is going to raise the minimum wage, ban fracking, make health care a right, fully fund our public schools or opt out of Common Core-aligned high-stakes testing. He is promoting more handouts and tax cuts for the 1 percent and access to the second floor at the Capitol."

Legislative Gazette: Greens hope to top third parties this November

If the poll results hold in the general election, the Green Party would likely be granted the third party line on the statewide ballot for the 2016 and 2018 elections, ahead of the Working Families, Conservative and Independence parties.

If the Green Party wins the third party line, it will be the first time that a party which doesn't cross-endorse has held this privilege since the 1936 elections. During that election, the Socialist Party lost its third line having held the position since 1918. The party received fewer votes than the American Labor Party ticket, a Socialist Party splinter group, which endorsed Democratic incumbent Gov. Herbert Lehman who went on to win the election.

 

July 13, 2014

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Zephyr Teachout looks for 'opening' against Cuomo

And Teachout isn’t the only candidate who may appeal to liberals. Howie Hawkins, a Syracuse resident, is running on the Green Party line.

In 2010, Hawkins gained nearly 60,000 votes — eclipsing the 50,000-vote threshold required to keep the Green Party on New York ballots.

Hawkins said there are multiple goals to his campaign, including retaining the Green Party’s ballot line and promoting the party’s agenda.

“We want to have a stronger base so we can go back to local elections and win more local offices,” Hawkins said. “That’s the way we establish our legitimacy and confidence with the voters to then contest for higher office with a record.”

 

July 12, 2014

Green Left Weekly: United States: Socialist conference backs new red-green alliances

New red-green electoral alliances, a turn to ecosocialism and a deepening of the US International Socialist Organization's rethink on feminism were key features of the ISO's well-attended Socialism 2014 conference in Chicago.

The Green Party in the US ― which is relatively weak and more left-wing than previously ― is part of a new push for red-green-independent union election tickets. Such alliances build on past campaigns, such as the ISO's work with the late Peter Camejo on the 2004 Ralph Nader-Camejo US presidential campaign.

ISO members speak very positively of this collaboration and credit it with shaping their approach to elections.

In New York, the ISO's Brian Jones is Hawkins' running partner for the race, running for lieutenant governor.

Hawkins, who has been attacked as an “unreconstructed socialist” by the corporate media, told the conference that the only part of the charge he objected to was “unreconstructed”.

The Hawkins-Jones ticket comes up against hated neoliberal Democrat Governor Andrew Cuomo.

 

July 11, 2014

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Says Astorino Is Scared To Debate Him

Astorino said in a radio interview Friday morning that he didn’t want the “cast of characters” that were allowed on-stage in the 2010 gubernatorial debate. He added that a 10 percent or 15 percent threshold in public opinion polls could be a determining factor.

But Hawkins, who helped the Green Party achieve automatic ballot access four years after receiving more than 50,000 votes, says he’s technically running closer to Astorino than Astorino is to Cuomo in a recent Marist College poll.

In that poll, Astorino received 24 percent of the vote, with Hawkins getting 6 percent. Cuomo has a large lead of 59 percent.

WHCU Morning Newswatch: Howie Hawkins Interview

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins discusses campaign fundraising, political corruption, education and energy insecurity in New York. Plus, he will be at Thompson Park in Ithaca on Sunday from 2 until 4pm.

 

July 10, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Moss: 'Common Core' line offers choice to vote for candidate or convictions

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor who lives in Syracuse, said the concept is nothing more than a 'bait and switch' plan to entice people enraged over the Common Core to vote for what he called the Republicans agenda of underfunding and privatizing education.

Time Warner Cable News: Astorino Challenges Gov. Cuomo To Series of Debates Across New York

But Astorino doesn't support holding forums that include third party candidates who make the ballot, including Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who received more than 50,000 votes in 2010.

WAMC Capitol Connection: Howie Hawkins Interview

WAMC's Alan Chartock interviews Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for Governor of New York.

 

July 9, 2014

Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin: Brian Jones Interview

Green party candidate for Lieutenant Governor discusses his campaign.

Ballot Access News: New York Gubernatorial Poll Shows Green Party Nominee Howie Hawkins at 6%

On July 9, a Wall Street Journal/Channel 4 poll was released for the New York gubernatorial race. It shows Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins at 6%. See it here. If the actual results in November are even close to what the poll shows, the Green Party almost surely would then be granted the third line on the ballot in 2016 and 2018, ahead of the Conservative, Working Families, and Independence Parties. That would be the first time since 1936 in which a party that doesn’t cross-endorse Democratic and Republican Parties nominees enjoyed the third line on New York ballots. The Socialist Party lost the third line in November 1936, having had it since 1918.

CNY Vision: "July 4th and the Meaning of Democracy" by Howie Hawkins

WBNG 12 Action News, Binghamton: Meet Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins

Hawkins said if he's elected governor, he would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour. That's just one of the parts of what he calls his "Green New Deal."

He referred to the deal as the basic human rights and economic security measures every New Yorker should have. It includes a universal healthcare plan, more public jobs when the private sector is struggling and affordable housing.

"...we call it the Green New Deal because we say we want to ban fracking in New York and build out a 100 percent clean energy system over the next 15 years," said Hawkins.

News Channel 34, Binghamton: Green Party Gubernatorial Candidate Visits Binghamton

Hawkins says he supports a living minimum wage of $15 per hour and higher taxes on the rich so that the state can provide more aid to struggling local municipalities….

Hawkins also says he's the only candidate who favors an all-out ban on hydrofracking. He says a switch to renewable energy could also benefit our area's struggling economy.

Time Warner Cable News: Howie Hawkins Makes Campaign Stop in Binghamton

Hawkins used the opportunity to attack current Gov. Andrew Cuomo on the issue of minimum wage….Hawkins also talked about other Cuomo policy decisions he disagrees with, like suspending the Moreland Commission and fracking.

 

July 8, 2014

NBC New York: Cuomo Leads by Wide Margin in Governor's Race

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins drew support from six percent of voters.

Wall Street Journal: Cuomo Maintains Huge Lead Over Astorino, Poll Shows

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo holds a commanding 35-point lead over his Republican challenger in this fall's general election, according to a new Wall Street Journal/NBC 4 New York/Marist poll—the first since the conclusion of the legislative session and the start of campaign season.

Mr. Cuomo, a Democrat, leads Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino 59% to 24% among registered voters statewide, and third-party candidate Howie Hawkins receives 6%, the poll found; Mr. Astorino has virtually the same total as he did in March.

Time Warner Cable News: Syracuse Environmental Groups, Officials Call for Closer Scrutiny of Trains Transporting Oil

"I would put a moratorium on these shipments until we get the proper containers. The ones we have now are easily punctured and can explode. Or these double hulled containers. They're starting to replace the fleet but their going at their own sweet time," said Howie Hawkins, a candidate for governor.

Time Warner Cable News: Syracuse Environmentalists Warn of Disasters Aboard Oil-Carrying Trains

The man who will represent the Green Party on this year's ballot for governor, says New Yorkers should rise up and demand that shipping companies and the government come clean.

"Until the federal government let's us inspect what's in these shipments. It's not just oil. On grounds of Homeland Security they're keeping it a big secret. We don't know what's going through Syracuse," said Howie Hawkins.

Legislative Gazette: Astorino hopes to run on the 'Stop Common Core' line; Green Party candidate calls him the 'Jimmy McMillan of education reform'

The Green Party, which endorsed Howie Hawkins for governor, released a statement saying the effort to create a "Stop Common Core" ballot line was largely a "fraudulent bait and switch effort."

"Rob Astorino is the Jimmy McMillan of education reform. He states the obvious — stop Common Core — but still doesn't make any sense," Green Party Candidate Hawkins said. "They may stop Common Core, but they will keep looting schools by underfunding public schools and pushing privately-managed charter schools and profligate contracts with testing firms."

Green Party Lt. Gov. Candidate Brian Jones added that "To paraphrase Shakespeare, 'Privatization by another name will disenfranchise just as many.' Perhaps they should just rename it 'We don't like teachers or unions.'"

Legislative Gazette: Cuomo announces plan to reduce HIV infections

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins said while he is supportive of the governor's initiative, more funding and reforms are necessary, particularly when Cuomo's previous budget cut proposals are taken into account.

 

July 7, 2014

WIVB-TV, Channel 4, Buffalo: Anti-drone activists promote solar energy

The Green Party candidate for Governor of New York claims the idea would bring jobs and money to Western New York.

Candidate Howie Hawkins said, “You know the sun shines and the wind blows, and that energy just needs to be harvested. It’s cost is near 0 marginal cost, so that’s the way to go.”

WFBO, Buffalo: Green Party candidate visits Buffalo

Hawkins says the proposal for a drone base here is a way to avoid the military budget cuts that are on the way. "Most of the politicians in New York are like trying to hold back time," he said. "You know, we are getting out of these wars in the Middle East. There's going to be downsizing. Let's get ahead of the curve and find a way to put people back to work. Let's declare war on climate change. One of the thing we can do is put these solar panels in and a solar panel factory out on a military base."

 

July 6, 2014

Buffalo News: Green Party candidate for governor campaigns in Buffalo 

“When I come to Buffalo,” he said, “I go out in the neighboroods and see the abandoned buildings and the unemployed people and the people that really need help.

‘We need a bottom-up economic development approach, not trickle-down, which never trickles down to the neighborhoods.”

 

July 4, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Politicians Reach Out to Voters on the 4th of July

It's a scene repeated at thousands of local gatherings across the country. People lined the streets of their home town; local politicians walking and speaking and saying hello.

"I want to change some things, but you've got to recognize what's good and it's also an opportunity to meet people. Talk to them about the election," said Howie Hawkins, candidate for governor.

Popular Resistance: "July 4th, The Meaning of Democracy" by Howie Hawkins

On this Independence Day, it is time to declare our independence from the oppressive King Georges of our time in the oligarchy of the super-rich and their bought and paid for political representatives in the Democratic and Republican parties. The oligarchs have two parties. It’s time we had one of our own.

Brian Jones reads Frederick Douglass's "Fourth of July Speech, 1852"

 

July 3, 2014

Diane Ravitch blog: Green Party Supports Teacher Tenure in New York

Howie and the Green Party support progressive taxation, fully-funded schools, renewable energy, single-payer health care, $15 minimum wage and a New York that works for the 99%.

The Journal News (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam counties): Gov says he wants STAR tax break dollars back from wealth New Yorkers

Three candidates seeking to oust Cuomo – Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino, Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout and Green Party hopeful Howie Hawkins – last week had called on Cuomo to act.

 

July 2, 2014

WHCU Morning Newswatch: The Anti-Fracking Candidate

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins has an update on his campaign and makes the case that he is the only one on the ballot who supports a statewide fracking ban.

 

July 1, 2014

Socialist Alternative: Building 15 Now Nationally A Call to Action!

15 Now marched in the “St. Patrick’s Day for All” parade, and we have held two ener- getic rallies and marches, joined by Green Party candidate for Gover- nor Howie Hawkins, who has made $15 a key demand in his race for governor.

June 30, 2014

Daily News: NY pols cheer hydrofracking ruling -- and seize chance to push Gov. Cuomo

And putting an even sharper political point on it, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins called out Cuomo in a statement of his own: “If Cuomo wins re-election and turns to his presidential ambitions, he is not going to be challenging the pro-fracking consensus of the national Democratic party. Cuomo will not ban fracking. I will,” he said.

Socialist Alternative: Endorsement of Cuomo Divides Working Families Party

In the governor’s race, there is an independent left candidate, Howie Hawkins of the Green Party. A member of the Teamsters and a long-time fighter for workers’ rights, expanded public services, and environmental action, Hawkins puts the $15 minimum at the center of his platform, as well as a massive public works program and an end to hydro-fracking and charter-school expansion. He also takes zero money from corporations (see full platform here). For New York workers and youth fed up with the status Cuomo and with the WFP leadership for supporting him, Howie Hawkins and the 15 Now campaign provide a fighting alternative.

North Country Public Radio: NY21: Baker turned Green Party candidate "angry in a nice way"

Funiciello says he's running to win the North Country's House seat, hoping to follow in the footsteps of other maverick members of congress like Bernie Sanders and Ron Paul.

A long-time business-owner and founder of the Rock Hill Bakehouse in Glens Falls, Funiciello says he hopes to peel away disgruntled voters who in the past might have backed Republican or Democratic candidates….

"I'm honestly running to win." He says Greens are running more credible candidates, including gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins. 

 

June 29, 2014

The Journal News (Westchester, Rockland, Putnam counties): Millions of ineligibly received STAR dollars fall into abyss

Those who received the benefit through fraud – such as claiming it on two houses at the same time – have been required to pay back the state, with interest. But those who received the tax break during a year in which they earned more than $500,000, have not….

The question is whether any of that money will ever be recouped. Gov. Andrew Cuomo's office did not respond to questions about what his administration would do to recover the money….

All three candidates looking to challenge Cuomo this year – from Republican Rob Astorino, to Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins to Zephyr Teachout, the Fordham Law professor trying to run against Cuomo in a Democratic primary – say they'd get the STAR money back.

 

June 27, 2014

Focus on Albany: A Conversation with Howie Hawkins

Howie Hawkins, Green Party candidate for Governor, discusses his campaign and shares his thoughts on the legislative session.

 

June 24, 2014

MSNBC: Green Party candidate for New York governor: I can win this

New Yorkers are hungry for an alternative to Cuomo, says Hawkins, who points to an April 2014 poll in which a generic nominee from the left-leaning Working Families Party (WFP) commanded 24% to Cuomo’s 39%.

“I think we’re the ticket that 24% is looking for,” Hawkins told msnbc. “They just haven’t found us yet. When they find us, we’ve got a real race.”

Corrente: MSNBC actually gives a Green candidate, Howie Hawkins, some coverage

Cuomo must really be shitting the bed.

Poughkeepsie Journal: Green Party candidate stops in New Paltz

Asked why he wanted to be governor, Hawkins, speaking shortly before he addressed supporters, responded, "Full employment, quality education, a living wage, these are things that people expect ... the Democrats haven't got it done ... we need a new party in charge to do things people expect us to do."

Mid-Hudson News Network: Howie Hawkins, Green Party gubernatorial candidate, brings campaign to Ulster County

Hawkins’ told local supporters that his platform includes guaranteeing jobs for all – be they private or public sector -- a $15 per hour minimum wage, universal healthcare, fully funded public schools, eliminating the Common Core education standards and providing 100 percent clean energy by 2030.

 

June 23, 2014

NY1 - Inside City Hall with Errol Louis: Green Party Candidates Take Shots at Opponents in Race for Governor

Green Party Candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins and his running mate, Green Party Candidate for Lieutenant Governor Brian Jones joined Inside City Hall to take some shots at Governor Andrew Cuomo, Zephyr Teachout and the leadership of the Working Families Party.

 

June 20, 2014

Brooklyn Eagle: Could LICH cost Cuomo the election?

Already, I know of two Democratic clubs that voted “no endorsement” for governor rather than endorsing Cuomo. Few of these Democrats would vote for Astorino, but a good number of them might vote for Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins.

 

June 19, 2014

WBTA (1490 AM, Batavia): Green Party Gov. Candidate Shows Optimism in Bergen

A recent poll showed that a progressive candidate could cut significantly into the incumbent Democrat’s lead, giving that fresh option a chance.

Hawkins says he can be that candidate.

“We stand for progressive policies that benefit working people,” he said. “I think that’s what that poll says people are looking for. Those are the people who understand Cuomo’s been very conservative economically. He’s underfunded schools, he’s giving tax breaks to the rich and they’re looking for an alternative."

The Batavian: Green Party candidate campaigns in Bergen

Hawkins also had strong words about hydrofracking. He said the job impact estimates for the controversial natural gas drilling process are greatly exaggerated.

“No one denies the environmental dangers of fracking,” he said. “What’s not being communicated well is the economic benefits of going to 100 percent clean energy by 2030 far outweighs any economic benefits we could get from fracking. The most outlandish estimates I’ve seen from pro-fracking flacks from the industry is 200,000 jobs. We’re talking about 4.5 million jobs over the next 15 years (with clean energy). A lot of those are manufacturing, a lot of those are construction; those are good paying jobs. You want an economic boom? Go with clean energy.”

WETM-TV, NBC, Bath: Green Party Member Files Paperwork Against Notary in Petition Controversy

[Green Party member files charges against Republican operatives for illegal dirty tricks]

CORNING, N.Y. (WETM-18) – A local member of the Green Party who had his name fraudulently circulated for a possible run in the 23rd Congressional District is taking action against the man responsible.

Darin Robbins says he has filed paperwork with the New York Department of State, looking to have Aaron Keister’s notary public license revoked. WETM first brought you this story back in May, when magazine Mother Jones said “shenanigans” were being pulled in the district by a Republican operative.

Keister, who is a registered Republican and lives in Corning, signed petitions that were circulated to put two Green Party members on the ballot in the 23rd District, but neither person had given him consent to do so. When we spoke to him at his home last month, Keister originally said he did not know what we were talking about in regards to the petitions, and then said he had no comment.

Robbins says because the petitions were circulated and signed fraudulently, he wants Keister’s notary license taken away.

Jacobin Magazine: Electoral Strategy for the Left by Jennifer Roesch

In New York, Teamster and long-time labor and environmental activist Howie Hawkins is running for Governor on the Green Party ticket. He has teamed up with long-time educator and socialist Brian Jones to run a campaign that puts a defense of public education, the fight for racial justice and working-class demands like the fight for a $15 per hour minimum wage.

Hawkins is running against Rob Astorino, a far-right Republican with no real chance of winning, and front-runner Andrew Cuomo, the current governor who is a right-wing Democrat with presidential ambitions. Cuomo spent his first term attacking public sector unions, undermining funding for public hospitals and pursuing an education deform agenda that funded charter schools, pushed high-stakes testing and undermined public schools.

 

June 18, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Hawkins: Keep lawmakers in Albany

Hawkins said that the governor should bring lawmakers back into extraordinary session every week to resolve major issues, some of which Hawkins called Cuomo's "six promises." These include the Dream Act, women's equality, minimum wage, marijuana reform, wage theft, a farmworker's bill of rights, climate change and public campaign finance and ethics reform.

"If lawmakers just want to sit there each week and read the newspapers and emails rather than work with their colleagues, that would be their choice," Hawkins said. "Given the high rate of convictions among state lawmakers for political corruption, it would probably be safer for taxpayers to keep them in detention at the Capitol anyway."

 

June 17, 2014

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle: Critics rip using environmental funds for new TZ Bridge

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins said, "Pete Seeger must have rolled over in his grave."

"EFC President Matt Driscoll's claim that this loan will not divert from other clean water projects is hard to believe from my city of Syracuse. We have had nearly 300 water main breaks so far this year," Hawkins said in a statement. "The sewers are just as old, with lots of breaks and cave-ins, overflows when it rains, and backups into homes and businesses. When the Mayor of Syracuse asked Governor Cuomo for just $16.5 million for emergency infrastructure repairs in this year's budget, he did not come through for us."

Time Warner Cable News: Astorino Unveils 10-Point Ethics Proposal in Albany

It's the first major policy proposal from [Astorino's] campaign, which so far has focused on building his name recognition. Despite all that, a Siena College poll found he continues to trail Cuomo, 57 percent to 21 percent, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins drawing 4 percent.

Buffalo News: Letter - Democrats, Republicans are hopelessly corrupt

Any New Yorker who cares about protecting our families, air and water from the demonstrable harms of fracking and the corporate takeover of our democracy needs to vote for the Green Party, with Howie Hawkins for governor.

 

June 16, 2014

WBAI Interview with Howie Hawkins

15 minute interview starts at 36 minutes on the Haskins & Hennelly Show at 7:00 am, June 16 in the WBAI archive. 

Capital New York: Cuomo up, with a wide lead

Cuomo leads his Republican challenger, Westchester County executive Rob Astorino, by a 57-21 margin, with Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins drawing four percent.

Auburn Citizen: Sienna Poll: Cuomo Holds 36-Point Lead Over Astorino

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins was backed by 4 percent of voters. 

Syracuse Post-Standard: Poll: 7 of 10 NY Republicans don't know Rob Astorino, their gubernatorial candidate

When it comes to name recognition, the Syracuse-area statewide candidates also have some work to do. Only 9 percent of those polled had favorable opinions of Howie Hawkins, the Green Party's candidate running for governor, and Republican Bob Antonacci, the Onondaga County comptroller running for state comptroller.

Legislative Gazette: Liberal Democrat to challenge Cuomo for ballot line

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins said "Teachout's entrance into the Democratic Party primary should be used to broaden rather than narrow the political debate in New York." 

 

June 13, 2104

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Questions Teachout’s ‘Ballot Hopping’

“The narrative from Teachout’s candidacy will be to reinforce rather than replace the two-party system of corporate control. Even when she sought the WFP line she focused on the Democrats. What we need instead is to build a party of the 99% to win living wage jobs for all, action on climate change, an end to the new Jim Crow, and making health care a right,” said Hawkins.

 

June 12, 2014

Diane Ravitch blog: Debating the Vergara Decision in the New York Times

This is a debate about the Vergara decision in the New York Times "Room for Debate," featuring Eric Hanushek and Michael Petrilli supporting the decision, and Brian Jones and me criticizing it.

Brian Jones, by the way, is running for Lieutenant Governor of New York on the Green Party ticket, with Howie Hawkins running for Governor.

Finger Lakes Times: Letter - Roll On, Howie Hawkins, Roll On

 

June 11, 2014

New York Times: Op-Ed - Protections of Teacher Tenure Do Not Hurt Students by Brian Jones

K-12 teachers with tenure do not have a job for life. What “tenure” means, for them, is due-process procedures for dismissals with cause, instead of capricious or at-will dismissal from their duties. I've spoken to countless teachers from Southern states who are afraid to do the things that New York City teachers do all the time – write blogs, write letters to the editor, even show up to a rally – because they could lose their jobs for speaking out. All working people should have such protections.

America's Work Force Radio: The only daily labor radio program in America

On the radio show today we had Dr. Jill Stein, 2012 Green Party candidate for President, and she talked about the NY Governors Race and why it’s the Green party, and not the Working Families Party, that’s really working for our families! 

 

June 10, 2014

Gotham Gazette: Filling the Progressive Void: Hawkins' 2014 Mission

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins came to Albany last week to declare his belief that thanks to the divisive nature of the Working Families Party's endorsement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo he has become the go-to candidate for progressives and union members disenfranchised by Cuomo's centrist politics.

The Daily News (Genesee, Wyoming & Orleans counties): Green Party candidate slate in Bergen June 19

Hawkins says he plans to challenge the 1-percent tag team of Cuomo and Republican nominee Rob Astorino on economic, climate change and criminal justice issues.

 

June 9, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Badass teachers like Hawkins

The New York Badass Teachers Association announced its endorsement of Green Party candidate for governor, Howie Hawkins. The organization aims to reduce or eliminate the use of high stakes testing, increase teacher autonomy in the classroom and work to include teacher and family voices in legislative decision-making processes that affect students.

CNY Central: 'Eat to Live Food Co-Op' says promising re-opening date was a mistake

"It's better than hopeful. It's just a matter of sticking with it and getting it done. So this is not a hope. This is a project that will get done," says Hawkins. It's a project with the vision of bringing fresh food to the so-called food desert.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Green's Howie Hawkins not worried about effect of South Side food co-op problems on governor's race

Hawkins pointed out that Eat to Live won a grant from Empire State Development, the state's main economic development agency….It would be in Cuomo's interest to see Eat to Live succeed as well, Hawkins said.

"On this one, we're in it together," he said.

Hawkins lives on the city's South Side near the Eat to Live Store. The co-op was meant to provide access to fresh groceries in an impoverished area that's been described as a food desert. Hawkins said the board is committed to reopening the store.

The Batavian: Green Party candidate makes stop in Bergen on June 19

The Green Party candidates have dubbed their platform, the Green New Deal. Hawkins says he plans to challenge the 1-percent tag team of Cuomo and Republican nominee Astorino on economic, climate change and criminal justice issues. Hawkins also wants NY to go carbon free with a 100-percent clean renewable energy by 2030, while providing a public living wage job to any New Yorker who needs one.

The Greens selected NYC Educator Brian Jones to highlight their opposition to Cuomo's education policies promoting privatization of the education system, including his promotion of the Common Core agenda and charter schools. The Greens are seeking full funding to meet the educational needs of New Yorkers, including free tuition at CUNY and SUNY.

 

June 6, 2014

Buffalo News: Op-Ed - State’s draft energy plan does too little to forestall environmental disaster by Howie Hawkins and Steve Breyman

New York State faces a fateful choice over its energy, environmental, and economic future.

It can chose a 21st century upgrade to clean energy and create a sustainable prosperity that protects our climate, cleans our air, and revives our economy. Or it can continue to rely on a 19th and 20th century fossil fueled energy system that will leave it battered by climate change, poisoned by pollution, and economically stagnant while other states and nations pass it by as they adopt the new sustainable technologies of the 21st century.

 

June 5, 2014

Daily News: Wake-Up Call

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins believes that the Working Families Party’s controversial decision to throw its support behind Gov. Andrew Cuomo provides a clearer choice for voters seeking an alternative to both major parties this fall.

Times Union: A.M. Roundup

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins chided the Working Families Party for endorsing Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and said he was the only viable third-party alternative. 

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Howie Hawkins Interview

15 minute interview on Green New Deal, energy policy, and WFP nomination of Cuomo.

Time Warner Cable News: Cuomo Sings a Different Tune Regarding Bipartisanship

For liberals, Cuomo's work with Republicans has led to economic policies they oppose, including tax and spending cuts and support for charter schools.

"We need an independent left that puts those issues before the people directly. They want to elect more Democrats, we want to elect more independent progressives," said Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor.

After two polls found a liberal alternative to Cuomo could eat in to his victory over Republican Rob Astorino, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins said he can be that alternative.

"I think those voters, I'm the candidate they were looking for. And when Working Families threw in the towel and cross-endorsed Cuomo, those voters are coming to me," said Hawkins.

New York Observer: Green Party Gubernatorial Contender: ‘Double Digits Is Within Our Reach’

Mr. Hawkins said last night that he believes netting 10 or more percent of the vote in November is not out of the possibility because of liberal dissatisfaction with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

“First of all, we got these polls, 24 percent for an unnamed Working Families candidate, I'm a working teamster with a name–those voters think I’m the candidate they’re looking for,” Mr. Hawkins said on Capital Tonight, referring to polls that showed a Working Families Party-backed candidate could cut into Mr. Cuomo’s margin of victory.

Legislative Gazette: WFP strife gives hope to Green Party

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, said at a press conference last Wednesday that the decision by the Working Families Party to endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo "has made this election even more interesting for us" and opens up the possibility of him winning in the election.

Some members of the WFP are still angry at the endorsement and Hawkins has been working to recruit those members to create a third-party groundswell to challenge the major parties.

"The Working Families Party pretty much threw in the towel for progressive politics from their point of view for this year, and left our candidacy as the progressive option on the ballot in November," Hawkins said.

Vice Magazine, Noisey blog: What Do New York's Prospective Governors Think of Governor's Ball?

Candidate: Howie Hawkins

Political party: Green

Favorite album: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

First concert: The Paul Butterfield Blues Band and Santana at the Fillmore West

If you were governor, what type of ball would you throw? "I would throw a Jubilee Ball to celebrate canceling the debt of students and predatory mortgages. People could bring their loan papers to shred into confetti and write their balloon payments on actual balloons. We'll end prohibition of cannabis, so people can celebrate as they see fit…."

 

June 4, 2014

NY1: A Big Fight at the Very Minimum

With the WFP nomination handed to Cuomo, disgruntled liberal Democrats really have nowhere to go except the Green Party's Howie Hawkins.

NYS Public Radio: Green Party Candidate says His Chances Are Improving

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party nominee for governor calls the Working Families Party endorsement of Governor Andrew Cuomo a “sell out” and he says the nomination does not address the lingering concerns about the Governor on the left.

NYS Public Radio: Cuomo Says He's Proud of Lack of Partisanship in Albany

Green Party candidate for Governor Howie Hawkins, who stopped in Albany as part of a statewide swing, says the Working Families Party is no longer in a position to criticize the governor over any perceived contradictions.

“After Working Families gave him the nomination, they gave him all the power,” Hawkins said. “They don’t have any leverage.”

WRVO (NPR, Central New York): Howie Hawkins says Green Party has a shot at victory

Hawkins cites polls saying a union-backed third party candidate could earn more than 20 percent of the vote, which is on par with the Republican Party candidate, Westchester County Executive Rob Astorino. "Well, I’m a working Teamster with a name," said Hawkins.

WAER (NPR, Syracuse University): Howie Hawkins Hopes to Capture Former Cuomo Supporters

Hawkins says progressive voters feel Cuomo can't be trusted after flip-flopping on positions and walking back on promises made to the WFP. 

NCC News (Syracuse University): Howie Hawkins Looks to End Winless Streak

Not five minutes into his statement, Hawkins let out a clear signal that he was not just running to get his name out there: “It’s a long shot, but actually we could win this election,” Hawkins said.

WNYT TV-13 (NBC, Albany): Hawkins argues discord on the left improves his chances for Governor

Howie Hawkins was not seeking the Working Families Party nomination for Governor, but argues he's been helped by last Saturday's open argument at the convention in Colonie.

"And it opens up the possibility, not only of us getting a double digit vote, which is more than we ever thought possible when we started this campaign, but under some scenarios, we could even win it," Hawkins told reporters at a Capitol news conference.

Socialist Worker: WFP - Selling their soul to Cuomo

Fortunately, for New York voters this November, there's a much better alternative to voting for Cuomo, whether as a Democrat or the WFP nominee. The Green Party is running Howie Hawkins, a working Teamster from Syracuse, for governor, and Brian Jones, a union teacher from New York City, for lieutenant governor.

The Blot Magazine: Working Families Party Ensures Cuomo’s Re-Election as NY Governor

The Green Party has backed Howie Hawkins as its nominee, a graveyard-shift worker for UPS in Syracuse, N.Y. Last time, he got 59,906 votes as the Green candidate. 

Capital New York: Howie Hawkins on the WFP’s ‘favor’ to Greens

Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin: Green Party's Howie Hawkins on How WFP is Helping His Campaign

As we discussed Tuesday on the show, the Green Party candidate for governor says people should consider this year’s race a true three-way contest. And now with what is going on with the Working Families Party, Howie Hawkins says he is expecting to attract more supporters in his campaign. Hawkins joined us to explain.

Albany Times Union: Hawkins: The WFP got played by Cuomo

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins believes that the Working Families Party’s controversial decision to throw its support behind Gov. Andrew Cuomo provides a clearer choice for voters seeking an alternative to both major parties this fall.

“I think the Greens now become the standard-bearer for progressives that want to dissent from Cuomo’s conservative economic policies,” Hawkins said.

Newsday: After other liberal party backs Cuomo, Green candidate hopes to woo progressives

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, seeking to unite disaffected Democrats and liberals, said he’s the lone progressive candidate left in the field after the labor-backed Working Families Party decided to endorse Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo.

“I think they probably did us a favor,” Hawkins said at a State Capitol news conference. “They handed the torch to us for the progressive movement.”

 “I want to say to progressives: Let’s speak and act and organize for ourselves, and not rely on elites who sell us out,” Hawkins said, calling the WFP/Cuomo agreement a “Machiavellian deal.”

 

June 3, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party Candidate for Governor: 'We Could Win This Election'

The Green Party candidate for governor of New York said Tuesday that the experts are making a mistake if they continue to view this year's race as a traditional two-way contest.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins: NY's Green Party 'could win this election' (includes video)

Hawkins' optimism comes as the state's union-backed political faction, the Working Families Party, formally endorsed Cuomo last weekend. Some Working Families members are angry over the endorsement. Hawkins wants them to join his effort to elevate his third-party candidacy onto debate stages and into news cycles to challenge the major parties.

Capital New York: ‘Badass’ teachers endorse Green Party’s Hawkins

CounterPunch: New York's Fateful Choice: What’s Wrong With Cuomo’s Energy Plan? by Howie Hawkins and Steve Breyman

New York State faces a fateful choice over its energy, environmental, and economic future.

It can chose a 21st century upgrade to clean energy and create a sustainable prosperity that protects our climate, cleans our air, and revives our economy. Or it can continue to rely on a 19th and 20th century fossil fueled energy system that will leave it battered by climate change, poisoned by pollution, and economically stagnant while other states and nations pass it by as they adopt the new sustainable technologies of the 21st century.

Socialist Worker: Should socialists run as socialists? A debate:

Socialists should run as socialists

What campaigns do we need now?

Keeping the goal in mind today

WXXI (Rochester): Connections: A Conversation with Howie Hawkins 

Audio, 52:31 - In this hour, we continue our series of interviewing candidates for prominent political offices. We talk to Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor.

 

June 2, 2014

Diane Ravitch blog: Cuomo Won the WFP Endorsement by Promising to Act like a Democrat 

To many progressives, Cuomo is Governor 1%. As Peter Goodman suggests, they have a choice: Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones of the Green Party.

The Nation: The Working Families Party Plays it Safe by Endorsing Andrew Cuomo for Governor

Some Teachout supporters believe that, having sided with the governor, the party will now lose some grassroots support to the Green Party and its candidate, Howie Hawkins.

In These Times: Will Cuomo Keep His Promises?

And there's another candidate to Cuomo's left in the race—Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, now running with teacher activist Brian Jones as his lieutenant governor candidate. On Sunday, after the news of the WFP's endorsement of Cuomo broke, Jones told In These Times, “Progressives are in an abusive relationship with the Democratic Party. They keep hoping the party will change, but it never does. Cuomo has made it clear that he supports the privatization of our schools and hospitals and the weakening our unions. The bulk of his financial support comes from the 1% and that's who he serves, not working families.”

NY State of Politics: Diane Ravitch promotes Green alternative

Diane Ravitch, who was floated as a potential WFP gubernatorial alternative, is confused as to why the party went with Cuomo. (She’s promoting the Green Party slate).

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins on 'quid pro Cuomo' and other reaction to the WFP deal

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins declared Gov. Andrew Cuomo's deal with the Working Families Party a "quid pro Cuomo" that will help the state's wealthiest residents at the expense of the middle class and poor.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Knocks WFP’s Endorsement

Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins was decidedly not impressed with the Working Families Party’s decision to endorse Gov. Andrew Cuomo over the weekend.

Hawkins released a video knocking the endorsement and extended an olive branch to those within the WFP who backed Fordham Law professor Zephyr Teachout.

“We feel their pain over the Cuomo nomination. We are here for them,” Hawkins said. “We give them a place to organize and vote against the Cuomo agenda and for progressive policies.”

Ed in the Apple blog: The Principled Working Families Party Abjures Principles and Endorses Governor Cuomo: Who Should Principled Voters Support?

For those of us in the “anybody but Cuomo” frame of mind let me introduce you to Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate.

Legislative Gazette: Green Party pressuring Tkaczyk to co-sponsor farmworkers rights bill

The state's Green Party is calling on Sen. Cecilia Tkaczyk to support legislation that would establish a bill of rights for farmworkers, saying the senator should get behind the legislation because she ran on the party line in 2012.

Albany Times Union Editorial: Let the minors debate, too

No, we’re not talking about every self-anointed candidate. But voters ought to hear from candidates chosen by parties with permanent lines on the ballot. With Gov. Andrew Cuomo picking up the Working Families Party nomination this past weekend after some 11th-hour drama, he’ll be on the ballot with three lines (Democrat, Independence, Working Families) and Mr. Astorino will have two (Republican, Conservative). That leaves only the Green Party’s candidate, Howie Hawkins, this year, carrying a single party line among those guaranteed a ballot spot.

 

June 1, 2014

MSNBC: Cuomo makes pact for Working Families endorsement

Within hours of Cuomo’s victory at the Working Families Party convention, Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins was already working to capture the votes of disaffected liberals. By inking a deal with Cuomo, said Hawkins, WFP “turned their back on their grassroots supporters and did the bidding of those who pay their bills.”

Vice Magazine: Influential Political Party Is Supporting the NY Gov. Who Stands for Everything It Opposes

But the lack of WFP challenger helps another third party leftist who could attract the WFP voters who were itching to break with Cuomo…. Howie Hawkins of the Green Party, who came in third in 2010 with 60,000 votes, believes that in a post-Occupy Wall Street landscape will be able to pull more support since he had almost no downstate campaign presence four years ago.

This time, the Syracuse-based UPS driver [truck unloader, actually - ed.] and Teamster activist chose as his running mate Brian Jones, a leader in the United Federation of Teacher’s dissident MORE caucus and is well known among city radicals.

Ganja News: Medical Marijuana & Legalization, a real solution, Howie Hawkins Green Party NY for Governor

Syracuse Post-Standard: Is Upstate left behind in Cuomo's deal with Working Families?

The Buffalo News: Cuomo’s move left throws Albany into turmoil

When it was certain Cuomo would pull off the Working Families Party backing late Saturday, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins called for disgruntled liberals to join his effort. “We feel their pain over the Cuomo nomination,” he said.

NY State of Politics: The Weekend That Was

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins decried the WFP’s endorsement of Cuomo, inviting disappointed progressives to support his candidacy.

 

May 31, 2014

NY State of Politics: No Deal Finalized Just Yet, WFP Says

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins has pointed out he’s already running as the liberal alternative to Cuomo.

Hawkins has raised the idea of running on the WFP ballot line himself, and in recent weeks reached out to the party to team up.

In a statement this morning, Hawkins said that regardless of what the WFP plans to do, he’ll be the liberal alternative to Cuomo come Election Day.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Working Families Party candidate seeking nomination to challenge Cuomo

The Green Party's gubernatorial candidate, Howie Hawkins, has asked the Working Families Party to join forces to challenge Cuomo, a Democrat running for his second term. A letter from Hawkins, of Syracuse, to the WFP went unanswered last week.

 

May 30, 2014

Schenectady Daily Gazette: Editorial: Debates should be open to all

Also on the ballot this year is Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, who led the Green Party charge for governor in 2010. While he only got 60,000 votes last time, his candidacy legitimized the Green Party to ensure its place on this year's ballot. He is a strong voice for budget reform, raising the minimum wage and education.

NY State of Politics: The WFP’s Gamble

For starters, the WFP risks losing its ballot line should a Teachout candidacy fail to take hold with liberals. After all, there is a liberal alternative already to Cuomo, Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, who secured more than 50,000 votes in 2010 to gain automatic ballot access this year.

NY State of Politics: Teachout Challenging Cuomo For WFP Line

The Green Party is also running its own liberal alternative to Cuomo, Howie Hawkins, who achieved ballot status in 2010 receiving more than 50,000 votes.

Syracuse Post-Standard: WFP candidate seeking nomination to challenge Cuomo

The Green Party's gubernatorial candidate, Howie Hawkins, has asked the Working Families Party to join forces to challenge Cuomo, a Democrat running for his second term. A letter from Hawkins, of Syracuse, to the WFP went unanswered last week.

City and State TV: Howie Hawkins On His Campaign For Governor

Video Interview: Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins discusses the Working Families Party's upcoming convention, his belief that the party could get as many as 250,000 votes and the declining political power of labor in the country in an interview with Morgan Pehme.

Rochester Business Journal: Most readers favor Astorino for governor

Comments: There are more than two choices, you know! Howie Hawkins is running for the Green Party again, and the Working Families Party might also run a candidate. Why not include other choices rather than your simple binary poll?
—Matthew D. Wilson

 

May 29, 2014

Souciant: A Movement Beyond Wages

Already, in New York, International Socialist Organization activist Brian Jones has joined as the lieutenant governor candidate on the Green Party ticket, with former Socialist Party candidate Howie Hawkins. This has already invited the attention of not only Socialist Alternative, but of the Democratic Socialists of America. Independent socialists, once wary of mingling with newspaper -selling sectarians, are taking notice. For once, it seems, there’s a desire for cross-pollination on the socialist left.

 

May 28, 2014

Socialist Worker: Declaring independence from the 1 Percent

This fall, among other campaigns, the Green Party ticket of Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones for governor and lieutenant governor in New York state will provide an alternative for voters who want a genuine choice besides a retrograde Republican and pro-corporate Democratic incumbent Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Auburn Citizen: Howie Hawkins: Diane Ravitch would be 'wonderful addition' to education debate in race for governor

Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins isn't sure where potential Working Families Party candidate for governor Diane Ravitch stands on all of the issues, but believes she could contribute a lot to a debate on education in this year's gubernatorial race.

AP: Astorino: No 3rd parties at New York gov debates

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins says voters deserve to hear from all the candidates who qualify to be on the ballot. He says Astorino should welcome his presence at the debates because a Green Party candidate is likely to take votes away from Cuomo.

CNY Central: Rob Astorino wants third party candidates, like Howie Hawkins, kept out of debates

AP: Cuomo faces liberal test in re-election bid

No Working Families Party candidate has stepped forward publicly to challenge Cuomo, but Green Party nominee Howie Hawkins said he'd welcome the nomination. While the two parties don't always agree, there's enough common ground to consider an alliance when it comes to fighting Cuomo, Hawkins said.

"Cuomo doesn't stand for their platform," he said. "They should nominate me and we'd have a united fight."

Buffalo Artvoice: Cuomo's Money Machine

Will the Working Families Party cave on their economic principals and endorse Cuomo or will they support another candidate such as Howie Hawkins from the Green Party who is in agreement with most if not all of the Working Families platform?

 

May 27, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Green Party Solidifies Ticket 

"We are campaigning for a Green New Deal for New York, including full employment through public jobs for the unemployed, a $15-an-hour minimum wage, single-payer health care, fully funded public schools from pre-K through college, affordable housing and expanded mass transit," Hawkins said. The centerpiece of Hawkins' platform is to ensure 100 percent clean energy by 2030, which he says will create 4.5 million new jobs over the next 15 years.

NY State of Politics blog: Hawkins: WFP In A Bind

For Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, the internal battle in the Working Families Party over backing Gov. Andrew Cuomo shows the party is stuck in something of a bind between its establishment backers and rank-and-file members.

“Working Families is caught I think between their funding and institutional support and what their voting base wants,” he said in an interview.

Rochester City Newspaper: WFP undecided on Cuomo

Also unclear is whether the party might back a different candidate, and who that could be. The state Green Party, including gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, has reached out to WFP leaders. In a letter, the Green Party said that the parties’ leaders “should meet to discuss how we can work together for a united fight against the Cuomo agenda and for the policy goals we share.” 

 

May 26, 2014

Time Warner Cable News: Candidate for governor suggests money focused on military spending be diverted elsewhere

 

May 24, 2014

Mayor Graham's View blog: Green's Howie Hawkins to Working Families Party: Let's talk about beating Cuomo

Jeffery Graham is in his fifth four-year term as Mayor of Watertown. Watertown elections are nonpartisan. Graham was enrolled in the Independence Party until 2010.

Once the WFP folds and endorses the Governor, this sets up Mr. Hawkins as the progressive on the ballot and ensures the Greens get the 50,000 votes to remain a party, and they could conceivably get to the D line if Andy on the WFP and Indy lines goes flat.

 

May 23, 2014

Albany Times Union: Hawkins to Tkaczyk: Have ‘decency’, back farmworkers

The 1,892 votes that Tkaczyk won on the Green Party line, Hawkins notes, proved crucial to her 18-vote win over Amedore, then a Republican assemblyman. The very least she can do, Hawkins says, is support the party’s agenda.

“It is long past time to give farm workers the same basic labor rights as other workers, and Tkacyyk should vote to correct this longstanding injustice,” Hawkins said.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Wants A Sit-Down With The WFP

Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins, along with his running mate Brian Jones and party co-chairs, wants to meet with members of the Working Families Party in an effort to unite against the Democratic ticket led by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

CUNY Academic Commons, Tony's Thoughts blog: Howie Hawkins: Green Party Candidate for Governor of New York!

 

May 22, 2014

Newsday: Green Party plotting to defeat Cuomo

As Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo was accepting the Democratic nomination for re-election Thursday, a liberal group was plotting to spoil Cuomo's party come November.

New York's Green Party reached out to the Working Families Party to explore a liberal coalition to defeat Cuomo. The Green Party's nominee for governor, Howie Hawkins of Syracuse, insists the effort could beat the Democratic governor.

Albany Times Union: Green’s Hawkins reaches out to WFP

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins would like to meet with the Working Families Party in plot out a strategy to fight what he terms Cuomo’s ”conservative agenda.”

Syracuse Post-Standard: Green's Howie Hawkins to Working Families Party: Let's talk about beating Cuomo

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins today reached out to the Working Families Party with one message -- let's team up to defeat Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

 

May 21, 2014

The Nation: How Teachers Are Fighting to Change One of the Most Segregated School Districts in the Country

Brian Jones, a former teacher and now an activist and Green Party candidate, warned, “Our schools are more segregated than most in the nation, and it's the charter schools and the privatization... that are causing that.” From an historical standpoint, he added, “We are literally fighting a civil rights battle, here. We are literally fighting in the footsteps of people who tried to figure out a way to end a system of separate and unequal education.”

Syracuse Post-Standard: Howie Hawkins' call for debates with all NY gov candidates falls flat, for now

 

May 20, 2014

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Howie Hawkins interview

Howie Hawkins officially received the Green Party’s nomination for Governor. He joined Susan Arbetter in the studio to discuss fossil fuel divestment, raising the minimum wage and why he is pushing for a “Truth and Reconciliation Commission” for “victims of mass incarceration and the drug war”. 15 minute segment starts at 30 minutes.

Albany Times Union: Green: Justice system ‘very reminiscent of apartheid’

Calling the state’s criminal justice system and its lingering effects on convicted criminals “very reminiscent of apartheid South Africa,” social justice advocates on Tuesday morning delivered some 10,000 petition signatures urging Gov. Andrew Cuomo to establish commission to help right those wrongs.

“We’re here because a crisis exists in New York state that few people are recognizing,” Alice Green, executive director of Albany’s Center for Law & Justice, said on the steps of the Capitol….

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, who attended the rally, said he would establish the commission on his first day in office — and that Cuomo would be wise to embrace it, too, if he truly wants win back progressives.

Legislative Gazette: Hawkins joins prisoner advocates to call for a Truth and Justice Commission

Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins joined prisoners rights advocates Tuesday at the Capitol to call for a Truth, Justice and Reconciliation Commission to address the issue of mass incarceration of minorities across the state….Hawkins criticized fellow gubernatorial candidates Rob Astorino and Cuomo for failing to acknowledge the need for the commission, calling their silence "complicity."

City and State: Green Party Looks To Open Line of Communication with WFP

Green Party passes resolution to send letter to Working Families Party looking to discuss similar views.

 

May 19, 2014 

Albany Times Union: Justice advocates push for reconciliation commission

The commission is inspired by the one used by South Africa in the wake of the collapse of its apartheid segregation policies, and the petition drive began after the December death of former South African president and anti-apartheid crusader Nelson Mandela, said Alice Green, the center’s executive director.

Green, a former Green Party candidate for mayor of Albany, said Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins has already endorsed the plan. She said overtures have also been made to Cuomo, a Democrat, and Republican gubernatorial candidate Rob Astorino.

AP: Hawkins wins Green Party nod for New York governor

NY Chalkbeat: At weekend rally, a mix of opposition to Gov. Cuomo and state tests

“People see a lot of things going on in education as an attack on public education,” said Brian Jones, a former New York City teacher who is running for lieutenant governor in this year’s gubernatorial election on the Green Party line….

The event had some clear political overtones, starting with Jones’ presence. Many people at the rally said they were registered Democrats, but sought an alternative to Gov. Andrew Cuomo in November. They cited Cuomo’s recent embrace of privately-managed charter schools as one example of the threats facing public education.

No Struggle, No Progress blog: It's official. Howie Hawkins and Brian Jones nominated as Green Party candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor

WCDO Radio (eastern Southern Tier): Hawkins Wins Green Nomination for NY Governor

Howie Hawkins of Syracuse won the Green Party nomination for governor of New York again. Hawkins won the nomination on Saturday in Troy. In 2010, Hawkins received 59,906 votes, more than any other 3rd party candidate who ran against Democrat Andrew Cuomo.  The centerpiece of the Green Party is a proposal to build a 100 percent clean energy by 2030, which they claim could create 4.5 million new jobs over the next 15 years.

 

May 18, 2014

Auburn Citizen: Not a fan of Cuomo? Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins hopes to appeal to liberal voters

Hawkins ran for governor in 2010 and received 59,906 votes, which secured an automatic spot on the ballot for the Green Party for four years. While one of the goals in this election is to retain the party's place on the ballot, Hawkins is aiming to get more support to help establish the party as a voice for the left. 

Time Warner Cable News: Green Party nominates Hawkins for Governor

Jacobin Magazine: A Challenge to Cuomo by Brian Jones

My name is Brian Jones, and I am a longtime educator, activist, and parent in New York City. I am announcing my intention to seek the Green Party’s nomination for the office of lieutenant governor of the state of New York.

I am joining with Howie Hawkins, whom I hope the Green Party will nominate to run for Governor of the state of New York, in proposing a campaign that would challenge the policies and priorities of our current state government, of the Democratic and Republican parties, of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, and of the millionaires who support him.

 

May 17, 2014

Albany Times-Union: In Troy, Hawkins gets Green Party nod for governor again

Syracuse Post-Standard: Green Party nominates Howie Hawkins for gubernatorial ticket

 

May 16, 2014

WNYT TV, Albany: Hawkins to accept Green party nomination for governor

 

May 13, 2014

The Indypendent: NYC Educator Runs for Lt. Gov: An Interview with Brian Jones

 

May 12, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Green Party candidate calls for 'clean money' public financing

The likely gubernatorial candidate for the state's Green Party, Howie Hawkins, is criticizing Gov. Andrew Cuomo for comments made in an op-ed piece published last week.

Writing in the Huffington Post, the governor, as Hawkins puts it, admitted defeat on comprehensive campaign finance reform when he wrote "We may not be able to shut off the spigot of money into the system."

[Hawkins] said Cuomo should "be calling for full public campaign financings and an amendment to the U.S. constitution to permit effective public regulation of election financing."

 

May 10, 2014

Perdido Street School blog: What That Meeting on Long Island Between Teachers Union Leaders and Cuomo Signifies

If Astorino can garner 40%+ in polls and a third party candidate like Howie Hawkins can take a few percentage points from him in the months leading up to Election Day, Cuomo will remain pliable and reasonable. But if we start seeing Cuomo with 60%+ re-election numbers in polls, he's less likely to feel the need to meet with the leaders of five small union locals who have been pushing anti-Cuomo protests and listen to them.

 

May 8, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: New York City public school advocate to run as lieutenant governor with Green Party's Hawkins

Socialist Worker: Offering New Yorkers a choice

 

May 7, 2014

AP: Green Party candidate to make run for lt. governor

A New York City educator says he'll seek the Green Party's nomination for lieutenant governor.

 

May 6, 2014

WRPI: The People's Business

Video: Howie Hawkins interviewed on The People's Business by Frank Mauro of the Fiscal Policy Institute, Brian McDonald of AFSCME, and Ron Deutsch on NYers for Fiscal Fairness.

Legislative Gazette: New push for state-funded health care

New York Health is endorsed by more than 75 physician, labor and social justice groups as well as Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins.

 

May 1, 2014

Ithaca Journal: Green governor candidate pushes tax reform

Howie Hawkins targets wealth inequality, fracking, testing.

WHCU/i100 Classic Rock: Green party candidate Howie Hawkins brings campaign to Ithaca

 

April 30, 2014

Lake Champlain Weekly: Thunder on the Left

Hawkins would seem to be the candidate of the Left that many progressives, including Democrats, seem to be thirsting for as an alternative to the at-best disappointing, at-worst infuriating reign of Andrew Cuomo.

Elmira Star-Gazette: Green governor candidate pushes tax reform; Howie Hawkins targets wealth inequality, fracking, testing

WHCU Radio: Green party candidate Howie Hawkins brings campaign to Ithaca

Hawkins said Governor Andrew Cuomo’s budget and property tax relief plan is fiscally irresponsible, and places the burden on local governments.

“He’s giving tax cuts to the rich, and we are paying for it as working people,” Hawkins said.

 

April 28, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Working Families Party poll: Should party back Cuomo this year?

Meanwhile, some Green Party members are also seizing the moment to pitch their candidate Howie Hawkins as an option for the Working Families Party endorsement.

 

April 25, 2014

WSYR ABC 9: Newsmakers: Howie Hawkins

Opposition News: Greens Howie Hawkins launches Campaign for NY Governor

Long time socialist and lifelong grassroots political activist Howie Hawkins is turning his campaign for NY Governor up a notch. Running under the Green Party banner, the popular Syracuse progressive is no stranger to running for elective office. He’s been a recurring candidate over the years and in his bid for Governor four years ago, Hawkins received enough votes to automatically bestow major party status on the Green Party of New York....

“The left needs an independent voice, where we act and speak for ourselves,” Hawkins said, “Working people in this country aren’t voting because they’re so alienated from both parties. They’re funded by the one percent. And while they might give us working people a little lip service, they’re not acting on our behalf. And so, most of us have dropped out.”

The Green candidate for NY Governor then went on to bluntly and confidently tell the audience what the future holds for the Republicans and Democrats. Replying to a question about the Green Party’s strategy, in New York as well as the rest of the country, Howie Hawkins told the live, on-air interviewer, “We’re not just about influencing the Democrats and Republicans, or lobbying them. We’re about replacing them.”

 

April 23, 2014

Christine Noble blog: An Open Letter to the Working Families Party Leadership

Howie Hawkins is assured the endorsement of the Green Party, I think we need to give him a fighting chance and throw in with him as well.

Perdito Street School blog: Howie Hawkins Says Working Families Party Should Nominate Him To Take On Cuomo In General Election

Given the lame response Dan Cantor had to yesterday's Siena College poll release, I suspect WFP leaders are looking for any way they can to avoid rank-and-file calls to nominate a third party candidate and just simply (and quietly) put Cuomo's name on their ballot line.

 

April 22, 2014:

WHCU Morning Newswatch: Howie Hawkins Interview: New York's Other Candidate

Syracuse Post-Standard: A liberal candidate could draw votes away from Gov. Andrew Cuomo, poll finds 

… if a Working Families Party candidate enters the race, 24 percent of voters polled said they'd back the third-party candidate over the current governor….A progressive candidate who belongs to a union already has entered the gubernatorial race. Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins, a Teamster from Syracuse, is in the race. He has said he is open to talking to the Working Families Party about a cross-endorsement, but has doubts that party really wants to challenge the governor.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Says Siena Poll Affirms His Campaign

Green Party candidate Howie Hawkins was heartened by a Siena College poll on Tuesday that found a liberal, Working Families Party-backed candidate would garner up to 24 percent of the vote against Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo and Republican Rob Astorino….The WFP itself released a decidedly vanilla statement in response to the poll.

CounterPunch: Stop Capitulating, Start Converging - The Global Climate Convergence and the Independent Political Imperative

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party’s candidate for Governor of New York, sums it up: “The Democrats want to repeal the New Deal and the Republicans seem to want to repeal the Enlightenment.”

 

April 17, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Ursula Rozum to be Hawkins campaign manager, not a Congressional candidate

Rozum, 30, of Syracuse, received almost 8 percent of the vote in a three-way race for the 24th District seat in 2012. Dan Maffei, D-Syracuse, (49 percent) defeated former Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle, R-Onondaga Hill, (43 percent) in that election. Rozum ran a feisty third-party campaign in 2012, rejecting donations from political action committees while criticizing the major political parties and their candidates.

 

April 16, 2014

Brooklyn Downtown Star: Howie Hawkins, Green Party Governor Candidate

 

April 15, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Green Party gubernatorial candidate backs adoptee rights

Ithaca Journal: Letter: Hawkins plan would improve New York

Huffington Post: 15 Now to Starbucks's CEO: Pay Your Employees $15 an Hour!

With more than 60 people present, including Green Party gubernatorial candidate Howie Hawkins, the protesters filled the sidewalk in front of the Fulton Street Starbucks to demand that CEO Howard Schultz put his money where his mouth is and pay his employees a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

Urban Disaster Records: Video - Howie Hawkins, Where Does Cuomo Get His Money?

Labor Press: The Teamster Who Would Be Governor of NY State 

 

April 14, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Free SUNY, Full-day Pre-K and $15 Minimum Wage Part of Green's Platform

 

April 11, 2014 

NY1 - Inside City Hall with Errol Louis: Howie Hawkins Previews Campaign to Become Green Party's Candidate for Governor

CNY Vision: Rochester - Hawkins Announces for Governor in front of High School Slated for Closure

WBFO News: Hawkins Brings Green Campaign to Buffalo

CSEA - This Week in Albany: Howie Hawkins Announces Campaign for Governor

Green Party member Howie Hawkins announced his run for governor on Wednesday. Hawkins is a former Marine and a member of Teamsters Local 317 in Syracuse. Hawkins said that he opposes Governor Cuomo’s policies that disproportionately benefit the wealthy. As Governor, he would push for tax cuts for 95% of New Yorkers while increasing taxes for the very wealthy. He also called for an increase in the minimum wage to $15/hour, and a substantial increase in funding for schools.

 

April 10, 2014

WXXI News: Green Party gubernatorial candidate calls for a "Green New Deal"

The Journal News: Hawkins is Green Party's gubernatorial candidate again

 

April 9, 2014 

Albany Times Union Capital Confidential: Gov candidate Hawkins pitches "Green New Deal"

Albany Times Union: Hawkins presents platform

Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter: Interview with Howie Hawkins on Campaign Announcement

Howie Hawkins segment starts half way through at 30 minutes in.

Urban Disaster Records: Video - Howie Hawkins, The Capitol Pressroom Interview

Newsday: Green Party candidate Hawkins calls for $15 minimum wage

Ithaca Journal: Hawkins announces campaign for Governor

Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin: Howie Hawkins discusses his second run

Associated Press: Hawkins enters race for Governor of NY

Syracuse New Times: Hawkins Runs Again for Governor

Troy Record: Hawkins announces second run for Governor

Politics on the Hudson: Easy being green: Howie Hawkins runs again on Green Party line

WRVO (NPR-Oswego): Howie Hawkins begins second run for governor

Capital New York: Candidate runs as alternative to WFP for Cuomo-protest voters

 

April 8, 2014

Independent Media CNY: Howie Hawkins' Gubernatorial Campaign Announcement in Syracuse

Full speech and Q&A.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Five questions for Howie Hawkins, starting with why are you running for governor again?

2.5 minute video stump speech included in the link.

Time Warner Cable News: Howie Hawkins to seek Green Party nomination for Governor

 

April 4, 2014

CounterPunch: McCutcheon on the Hudson: Clean Money in Albany Now 

Albany Times Union: Commentary - N.Y. Voters deserve a Clean Money System

 

April 3, 2014

City and State: Hawkins Will Run for Governor

Green Party activist Howie Hawkins is set to make a gubernatorial run after his 2010 campaign netted him 59,906 votes, enough to keep the party on the ballot for the coming election.

NY State of Politics: Hawkins Launching Green Party Bid Next Week

Syracuse-based Green Party activist Howie Hawkins is set to launch another bid for governor next week following a 2010 campaign that resulted in receiving 59,906 votes. Hawkins easily helped the third party achieve ballot access for this coming election by surpassing the 50,000-vote threshold….His candidacy in 2010 focused on broader investment in environmentally friendly technology as well as infrastructure and mass transit. He also supports ban on hydrofracking and the transition to a “carbon neutral economy” in 15 years.

 

April 2, 2014

Independent Media CNY: McCutcheon v. FEC Rally

Green candidate for NYS Governor, Howie Hawkins, addressed the media and demonstrators.

 

March 25, 2014

WAER: Cuomo Campaigns Locally for Property Tax Reform

But some disagree.  Opponents like Green Party candidate for governor Howie Hawkins say Cuomo’s plan is a top-down, “one size fits all” approach that leaves local governments little say over decisions regarding municipal and school budgets and property tax levies. Hawkins points to the individual fiscal needs and specific circumstances for each locality that could get glossed over if the state were to influence the consolidation process.

Syracuse Post-Standard: NY Green Party candidate: Cuomo's property tax freeze not the solution

"A better way to cut property taxes would be for the state to pay for its mandates and let us, through our local governments, decide how much to cut property taxes and how much to fund our schools and services," Hawkins said in a statement released a couple of hours before Cuomo is scheduled to plug his property tax freeze plan in DeWitt.

 

March 24, 2014

Legislative Gazette: A progressive alternative to austerity is possible 

Op-Ed by Howie Hawkins: "A more progressive tax structure would yield increased revenues to fund progressive priorities while providing tax relief to low and middle income New Yorkers. But such progressive policies are off Cuomo's agenda."

Socialist Alternative: $15 Minimum Wage: March 15 National Day of Action

Howie Hawkins, the Green Party Candidate for Governor, was among the speakers, publicly coming out in favor of $15 an hour minimum wage and denouncing Governor Cuomo as “Governor 1%”.

 

March 3, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Likely Cuomo challengers sound off on prison college plan: Astorino, Hawkins at polar opposite sides of the debate

Two potential challengers to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's re-election are at opposite ends of the spectrum on the governor's plan to provide college degree programs in 10 prisons throughout the state. Howie Hawkins, who ran on the Green Party ticket in 2010, says the program doesn't go far enough but likely Republican candidate Rob Astorino has denounced free education for New York's inmates.

In These Times: The Third Party That's Winning

Without endorsing Cuomo in 2010, the party feared it wouldn’t meet the 50,000-vote quota. Cuomo took advantage of the WFP’s position and pushed it to sign on to his whole agenda, which included tax cuts and worker pay freezes. Cuomo won easily and the WFP kept its ballot line, but it’s unclear whether he helped the party’s vote total. Sociologist and In These Timescontributor Peter Frase (full disclosure: my boyfriend) crunched the numbers and found that in virtually every county, Cuomo got fewer WFP votes than any of the party’s other statewide cross-endorsed candidates. By contrast, when Eliot Spitzer was cross-endorsed by WFP in the 2006 gubernatorial race, he garnered more votes on the WFP line than the party’s lower-level candidates. While there’s no way to prove with certainty that an independent WFP candidate would have crossed the 50,000-vote threshold, Frase notes that the Green Party got 59,906 votes for its independent candidate, Howie Hawkins—suggesting that it was possible for a third party to hold a ballot line with a Left challenge to Cuomo.

 

February 25, 2014

Legislative Gazette: Green Party's Hawkins: Educate every prisoner and make SUNY and CUNY free

'Every prisoner should have the opportunity to further their education, including higher education. Prisoners released with college degrees will have a much better chance of securing decent employment and successful reentry into society,' Hawkins said. 'If Cuomo's college for prisoners program is good, it should include all prisons, not just the ten prisons in the governor's proposal.'

 

February 24, 2014

CNY Vision: Howie Hawkins Lays Out His Plans for New York Prisoners

 

February 13, 2014

WRVO (NPR-Oswego): Hawkins running for governor again

 

February 11, 2014

Syracuse Post-Standard: Unions, Green Party NY leaders: Proposed tax breaks won't help poor, working class

Howie Hawkins, who is running for governor on the Green Party line, says the state should return to income tax brackets used 40 years ago. Back then, Hawkins said, the lowest earners in New York paid 2 percent in income taxes while the highest earners paid closer to 15 percent. The tax burden has switched, Hawkins said. Now, the lowest earners pay 4 percent of their income in taxes, and the richest pay 8.82 percent.

"Those of us at the bottom are paying twice the rates back in those days," Hawkins said.

Hawkins, of Syracuse, also wants to revive the stock transfer tax, a fee on investment trades that been rebated to financial institutions for years. With the extra money, he would increase school aid, create affordable housing, invest in renewable energy and create a job-guarantee program to match unemployed workers with government jobs.

Syracuse Post-Standard: Syracuse Green Howie Hawkins to challenge Gov. Cuomo second time

He wrote an essay after Cuomo's State of the State address called "Cuomo talks left, but walks right." Hawkins said Cuomo's tax reform package is "reactionary corporate welfare" and middle-class families will pay dearly for business tax cuts and StartUp NY tax-free zones.

Time Warner Cable News: Income inequality used locally to battle Cuomo's proposed 

"And then they tell us, there's no money. That's because the rich don't pay their fair share anymore," said Howie Hawkins, a former Green Party gubernatorial candidate.

Howie Hawkins ran against Cuomo in 2010.

"If we went back to the income tax we had in the 1970s, 95 percent of us would get a tax cut. And, with what the top 5 percent paid, we'd have $8 billion more," said Hawkins.

 

February 6 and 13, 2014

WBAI interviews on Haskins and Hennelly- Drive Time for the 99%:

February 6 interview featured questions about Stop and Frisk, education funding, and progressive taxation: Play 

February 13 interview discussed the fiscal crises of upstate local governments and school districts, universal pre-K, full employment instead of public worker layoffs, and military spending and drone wars: Play

 

January 22, 2014

CNY Vision: Divestment, Not Shareholder Resolutions

"Exxon Mobil will not change until public policy gives it no choice. Divestment, not shareholder resolutions, are needed to move the public and then public policy. Shareholder resolutions will not educate and inspire masses of people to speak up and act for a climate-safe energy transition because few hear about them. They are at best symbolic and far weaker as a symbol than divestment, in both meaning and the size of the audience."

 

January 15, 2014

Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin: Hawkins on his 2014 run for governor

 

January 6, 2014

The Stand, South Side News, Syracuse: Going and Growing: Green Party gains support, pushes alternative third-party platform

Howie Hawkins and the Syracuse Green Party are looking ahead after the most recent election. Find out what it plans to do moving forward.

 

 

December 4, 2013:

Syracuse New Times: Power Outage

Even more important, Hawkins maintains, is the need to achieve “clean energy” to avoid an increase in global warming. He plans to raise the issue, with a strategy for statewide implementation, in a campaign for governor next year, which the Green supporters are lobbying him to make.