6.27.17 – Additional constituent contacts on New York State Liberty Act

New York Senate District 17 constituent Ellen Bilofsky provided the following account of a June 16 meeting she had with a staffer of Sen. Felder’s in support of the New York State Liberty Act. Also at the meeting were activists Tereza Lee and another SD 17 constituent named Naomi Rabeeya. The meeting came shortly before Lee spoke with Mr. Felder in Albany concerning the legislation. Bilofsky writes:

On June 16, Naomi Rabeeya and I, both residents of New York State Senate District 17, accompanied Tereza Lee, a New York immigration activist, to Senator Felder’s Avenue J office to present letters and petitions in support of the New York Liberty Act. We met with a staff member named Avi. Tereza presented the petitions as well as letters of support from a number of groups, including HIAS and NYS Disrict 17 for Progress. She also talked tearfully about her own experience of growing up undocumented before getting citizenship. Avi responding sympathetically. I noted that since Senator Felder represents a district with over 40% of its residents born abroad, including Israel, Russia and Ukriane, China, South Asia and elsewhere, that he would be concerned about supporting their needs. I also mentioned that many of us had family members who were refugees, especially after the Holocaust, whether it was here or in Israel, and that also ought to lead us to be sympathetic. Avi asked about when my family and Naomi’s came to the U.S., and mentioned that his family came in the 1880s.

Avi said he could not tell us what Senator Felder’s position was on the Liberty Act, but promised to leave the petitions and letters on Senator Felder’s desk, as he was expected back later that afternoon, after the office had closed.

On the following Monday, June 19, I called Senator Felder’s Albany office after Tereza had met with Bryan Best there and asked to speak with him, but he was on the telephone. The person who answered the phone was dubious when I mentioned that Tereza had actually spoken to the senator in the lobby, as well as to Bryan Best. I said that as a constituent, I was calling to support Tereza, who had met with Bryan, and hoped the Senator would now take a position.

– Posted by John V. Santore

6.20.17 – Felder talks to activists re: New York State Liberty Act, does not take a position on bill

On June 20, Tereza Lee, a New York immigration activist, provided the following account of a lobbying effort she was part of in support of the New York State Liberty Act. The action took place shortly before the end of the 2017-2018 legislative session:

According to Lee, she and another activist named Josh Karan met with Sen. Felder’s legislative staffer, Bryan Best, and “presented the stack of letters and memos in support of the Liberty Act to him…except this time, we went through each and every name on every sheet, emphasizing the enormity of HIAS [a refugee rights organization] and Anti-defamation League supporting this cause, and the constituents of district 17. Bryan was very polite, but also brief in his answer, that he “can’t speak for the Senator, but he’ll present the materials to him”.

“We went down to the Senate Chambers,” Lee continued, “to the ‘Lobby’, and waited there to see Felder, who (literally) sits on the right side of the Chamber with the Republican Senators.”

“Through some effort, we were able to speak to the Senator himself,” Lee wrote. “I spoke as fast as I could, gave him another (third!) copies of the letters and memos in support, and asked him to ‘please look them over as they are from your constituents’, and reminded him that ‘40% of District 17 are not born of the U.S.’, and that ‘there are thousands of undocumented people in his district and in NY state like myself living in fear of being separated from loved ones every day’. He kindly told me that he will read through all the letters.”

“He walked back to the Chambers,” Lee wrote, “and we could see him sitting down, flipping through the pages. We have yet to learn how Felder will be voting.”

The legislation did not receive a Senate vote before the end of the 2017 legislative session.

– Posted by John V. Santore

6.19.17 – Constituent calls on Felder to support the New York State Liberty Act, receives no new information

On June 19, a NYSD 17 constituent named Wayne Reiss provided the following account of a call he made to Sen. Felder’s staff expressing support for the New York State Liberty Act (S4075):

I spoke to a staff member and urged Felder to support the NY Liberty Act (S4075). I explained that there are many immigrants in my diverse neighborhood (including Muslims) and that I’m deeply concerned for their safety and that I vote progressive and that Felder won’t get my vote if he doesn’t support a progressive agenda.

Asked if he received a response from the staffer he spoke with, Wayne wrote:

No. The only response, and reason for my call, was that they log the info and know that I’m a voter in his district.

– Posted by John V. Santore

6.16.17 – Constituent email calling on Sen. Felder to support New York State Liberty Act

On 6.16.17, SD 17 constituent Naomi Rabeeya sent the following email to State Sen. Felder calling on him to support the New York State Liberty Act. A response was not received.

From: Naomi Rabeeya <——@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Jun 6, 2017 at 10:12 AM
Subject: Please support the Liberty Act
To: felder@nysenate.gov

Dear Senator Felder,

New York is a city that was forged by immigrants and that remains ever true today. Not all of these immigrants have the proper documentation, but the city is still reliant on them for their hard work and compassion. As Mayor Rudy Giuliani said, “Some of the hardest-working and most productive people in this city are undocumented aliens.”

You should be especially aware of the immigrant culture of the city as 41% of our district, SD 17, was not born in this country. Ours is a district of Chinese, Russians, Mexicans, Israelis, and many others. Of the 132,000 immigrants in our district, 59,400 are not US citizens, many of them undocumented. Immigrants deserve to have their safety and well-being protected, especially when the federal government is seeking to attack the diversity and acceptance that have always been at the core of our city.

The New York State Liberty Act (S4075) would make sure immigrants have access to important services and protections afforded others in the Constitution. It would ensure that New Yorkers are not unnecessarily questioned about immigration status when seeking state or local service. It makes sure that immigration status and other personal information is not recklessly shared with the federal government except in limited circumstances. It also limits the ability of state and local law enforcement to enforce federal laws, such as immigration laws, in order to ensure that immigrant crimes victims and witnesses feel safe when interacting with local law enforcement.

Here in New York City, you have seen firsthand the benefits of giving our city “sanctuary” status: Immigrants are not afraid to send their children to school, seek medical help, or report crimes. Protecting undocumented immigrants protects the rest of society as well.

I strongly encourage you to to support S4075 and become a co-sponsor.

This bill creates important protections for our state and sends the right to message to all of our residents by saying that our immigrant communities make us stronger.

Sincerely,
Naomi Rabeeya

— Posted on 12.24.17, backdated to 6.6.17

6.16.17 – Constituent questions re: New York Health Act, voting reform, Liberty Act, and Reproductive Health Act

On 6.16.17, SD 17 constituent Naomi Rabeeya sent an email to State Sen. Felder’s office requesting comment on four major legislative initiatives introduced in the State Senate: the New York Health Act, the Liberty Act, the Reproductive Health Act, and Early Voting (S2950) and Electronic Poll Books (S2788) legislation.

A response was not received. Rabeeya’s email is below:

From: Naomi Rabeeya <——@gmail.com>
Date: Fri, Jun 16, 2017 at 11:10 AM
Subject: Follow-up on calls and emails
To: felder@nysenate.gov

Hello Senator Felder,

I both called and emailed to ask your support/ask where you stand on the below issues on the following dates:

June 2- New York Health Act
June 5-Voting Reform
June 6-Liberty Act
June 7-Reproductive Health Act

I have yet to hear from you.

It is only fair to know where our elected officials stand on issues, and true leadership, takes a person who does research on issues, listens and speaks to constituents. A leader strives for effective government working with peers to do what is best for the people, not just the individual politician or his or her district.

I find it frightening that your stance on many issues is not clear to constituents, your staff does not seem to know where you stand or give us genetic answers that you will review a given issue, but rarely reply. The replies are often vague.

A large part of leadership is about clear communication.

Please support the below and please let the constituents know where you stand. We have a right to this information regardless of whether or not the below end up on the Senate floor.

I would also hope you show leadership in getting the below to the Senate floor if it is in your power to do so.

Society is better is we are all empowered. You are in the unique position to help empower all New Yonkers.

Best Regards,
Naomi

— Posted on 12.24.17, backdated to 6.16.17

6.15.17 – Notes from meeting with Felder staffer on voting rights, Liberty Act and constituent engagement

On June 13, Bryan Best, a legislative aide to Sen. Felder, met with Jessica Byrne, a member of NY State District 17 for Progress and the Brooklyn Voters Alliance, and Amanda Richie, also with the Brooklyn Voters Alliance. Ms Byrne recorded the following notes on the meeting:

(1) Concerning the Early Voting (S2950) and Electronic Poll Books (S2788) legislation before the Senate:  
– Best said that Mr. Felder supports “high voter turn-out and voter participation in elections.”
– The legislation could still change, Best said, and therefore Mr. Felder has yet to take a position on it. However, “he is not a hard no” if these bills make it to the floor, and will vote with the majority in the Senate.
– Best said that Mr. Felder “has respect” for State Sen. Fred Akshar, who chairs the Senate’s Elections Committee and is the lead sponsor of S2788.
– Best said he will ask Mr. Felder to ask Sen. Flanagan to move these bills to the floor for a vote. The bills are currently in the Senate’s Rules Committee.
– Best also shared a personal experience with voting challenges. He once had a school board election to vote for, he said, and he almost didn’t make it to the polls in time because he had to work late.

(2) Regarding the New York State Liberty Act:
– Best said he personally did not recall meeting with anyone on this legislation in the past.
– Best said he anticipated meeting with someone later in the week about the bills.
– Best said he personally had no knowledge of, and no position on, this bill.

(3) Regarding holding a meeting with NY District 17 for Progress: 
– Best said that Mr. Felder has said, “I want to meet with (them),” meaning the group, but suggested that the meeting would take place after the legislative session ends.

(4) Regarding constituent communication:
– Best asked what would be the most effective way to communicate with constituents. He asked if more emails would be helpful. Byrne said that constituents needed to hear more from Mr. Felder directly.

– Posted by John V. Santore based on notes by Jessica Byrne

6.9.17 – Felder speaks to activists on New York State Liberty Act, but takes no position on the bill

On June 6, representatives from the New York Liberty Act Coalition – specifically, members of Make the Road New York and the DREAM Action Coalition – spoke to a member of Sen. Felder’s staff, and with Sen. Felder himself, concerning the New York State Liberty Act. A Liberty Act Coalition member provided the following account of the conversations to NY State 17th District for Progress:

“We met with one of his [Felder’s] staff, who said that yesterday a number of people were calling the office to urge the Senator to vote for the liberty act. He mentioned that the senator currently has a summary of bill in his desk. We urged him to tell the senator of the importance of this bill, but he could not commit/confirm how the senator will vote. After the meeting, we saw the senator so we asked him if he could support the bill and he said he could not give us an answer yet. That he’ll look at it.”

– Posted by John V. Santore

6.8.17 – Felder has no stated position on major health care, reproductive rights, voting rights, immigration, or Trump tax return legislation

On June 8, John V. Santore, a constituent in New York’s 17th Senate district, called Sen. Felder’s office in Albany to ask if Mr. Felder had taken a public position on any the following bills:

– S4840, the New York Health Act
– S4075, the New York State Liberty Act
– S2950 (regarding early voting)
– S2788 (regarding computerized registration lists)
– S5114 (regarding electronic registration)
– S5572, forcing the release of Donald Trump’s state tax returns
– S2796, the Reproductive Health Act

The Albany staffer who answered the phone said that Mr. Felder did not have a position as of that time on the above bills.

Santore then sent the below email to Mr. Felder’s staff. This blog will be updated with any response received.

I called the Albany office earlier today concerning these bills, and was told that Mr. Felder does not have a position on the above legislation. As a constituent, I find this troubling, considering that these bills would impact many, if not all, of his constituents, either directly or indirectly.

Based on what the office has thus far shared, I’m left to conclude one of the following three things:

1) That Mr. Felder is unaware of these bills.
2) That he is aware of the bills, but does not believe them to be significant enough to merit further consideration.
3) That he does have a position on the bills, but is unwilling to share that position, or share his thinking on them.

Any of these scenarios leaves me as a constituent to wonder what Mr. Felder’s principles are concerning key legislative issues of the day, and what his analytical process is when considering legislation. Whether Mr. Felder is against or for the above bills – or if he has questions about them he needs answered before he takes a position – I’d like to be informed of such, so that I can have a better sense of who Mr. Felder is as a legislator.

– Posted by John V. Santore

6.6.17 – Constituent calls on New York State Liberty Act

The following emails were sent in from constituents of NY’s 17th Senate district. In the emails, the constituents recount calls they made to Sen. Felder’s office on June 6 concerning the New York State Liberty Act, S4075, which is before the New York State Senate (a description of the bill is below).

(1) An email from constituent David Goldberg:

I called at 1:10pm or so. Forgot to get the name of the gentleman I spoke to, but I think it was someone with a significant position in his district.

I laid out my concerns and desire the senator support S4075 (talked about the large number of immigrants in our district, how the Senator has seen firsthand the benefits of NYC’s sanctuary status). I asked if the Senator had considered or taken a position on the bill.
 
The response was that he has not. That the bill is on his desk and that many other people have been calling about it so he will give it his consideration.
 
They did not ask for my number.

(2) An email from constituent Ellen Bilofsky:

I called Felder’s Albany office regarding the Liberty Act and spoke to Harrison. I asked if Felder had a position on it. He said he didn’t, but that it was on his desk for review because he is getting so many calls about it. I mentioned the high number of immigrants in our district and that it was therefore an important issue for us. He said he was sure the senator was aware of the statistics, but he would pass on my position. He asked if I was in Felder’s district, but did not ask for any identifying information.

(3) An email from a constituent named Naomi:

Albany said I was first call today when I said they probably have calls coming in as lots of groups advocating today…..Senator does not have position they know of…will ask.

Description of the legislation:

As summarized in the text of the legislation, the New York State Liberty Act would do the following:
 
*ensure that people are not unnecessarily questioned about immigration
status when seeking state or local services, benefits or assistance;

*establish that state or local law enforcement agencies shall not
stop, question, investigate or arrest a person based on perceived
immigration status or suspected violation of federal immigration law;

*generally prohibit law enforcement agencies from inquiring about the
immigration status of persons contacting such agencies when in need of

assistance, including victims and witnesses;

*require state and local agencies, employees, and health care
providers to maintain the confidentiality of immigration status
information, unless acting in accordance with 8 U.S.C. § 1373, and
other information absent valid consent of the individual;

*prohibit the detention of individuals based on
administratively-issued immigration detainers and require notification
to an individual if an immigration warrant or related request has been
filed;

*curtail the use of state and local facilities for the purposes of
federal immigration enforcement;

*establish a right to legal representation for persons subject to
removal or deportation proceedings (the bill also amends Judiciary Law
35 for this purpose);

*prohibit state and local agencies from expending resources to assist
the federal government in the creation or maintenance of any database
or registry based on race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation,
religion, or national or ethnic origin.

– Posted by John V. Santore