New York Health Albany Action

David Foote and Theresa Alt were among the seven from Tompkins County who drove to Albany to rally for passing the New York Health Act. We assembled in a park, held up traffic, marched to the legislature, and the bravest “died” on the hot pavement of the street. Both movement spokespeople and friendly legislators addressed us, including our Assemblymember Anna Kelles. Alas, the bill did not come to a vote, but there have been lively discussions among the advocates. Recorded June 7 and 24, 2021.

Schools Reopen in Ithaca

David Foote interviews Aurora Rojer. Middle and high school teachers are required to teach classes with some students in the room and others online — frustrating. This has motivated teachers to get more involved in their union. The union has been at the decision-making table, but it could be more effective. Standardized tests, cancelled last year, are coming back, but maybe could be eliminated in the future. Students are becoming more radical. Aurora is also chair of Ithaca DSA, which has groups working on multiple projects. Recorded April 16, 2021.

ETPA Comes to Council

Ithaca City Alderperson Ducson Nguyen discusses with Theresa Alt approaches to getting affordable housing in the City. The State now offers municipalities the right to opt in to rent stabilization for certain older, larger buildings. It’s called ETPA. The Planning and Economic Development Committee will vote on the first step, a study to prove we have the crisis we all know about. Recorded May 11, 2021.

Living Wage: Is It Feasible?

Ian Greer tells Theresa Alt how the Co-Lab at ILR mobilizes research resources at Cornell to work on practical matters. They include the question of setting the minimum wage in Tompkins County at the level of the local living wage. Big employers mostly oppose it, but a few favor it. Some small employers are for it, most are not. Most really don’t know what it will cost them. Economists show that raising minimum wages leads to little reduction in jobs. Raising them would especially help people of color. Loss of benefits is a smaller problem with a bigger raise in the minimum wage than with a stingy one. Recorded March 5, 2021.

New York City Reopens Schools

New York City teacher Daniel Jerome tells Maribel Tineo about reopening schools after COVID. The pandemic has hurt the mental health of teachers and especially pupils. As of early March elementary and middle schools are open 2 or 3 days a week. High Schools are still closed. Parents and teachers are being left out of the conversation. There is a push to increase distance learning permanently. The Movement of Rank & File Educators - MORE - addresses school issues but also social ones. Recorded March 4, 2021.

Immigrant Rights & Labor Success

David Foote interviews Suzy Lee. She sees the prevalent view of immigration policy as exaggerating the power of racism and nativism. The vast majority of Americans support policies like amnesty and are quite open to immigration. Historically borders were opened and closed in response to the needs of capital. Conservatives want flows of people without rights. Socialists are OK with flows of people but want rights for all. Labor needs to support immigrant rights, because only with such rights can immigrants be part of workplace organizing, and only when organized labor hits the bottom line will capital be forced to demand policy changes, including rights for immigrants. Recorded February 18, 2021. Aired February 23, 2021 -- 6:30-7:00 pm

Broadband for Everyone

Jason Leifer tells Maribel Tineo that there are two models of municipal broadband. A town can provide it or just own the infrastructure. The barriers are political. Dryden Town will own and operate its broadband. People will be able to take their complaints to the Town Board. Such new systems bring superior fiber technology to the home, not just on the road. Raleigh NC has such successful public broadband that private companies got the State legislature to prohibit other cities from doing it. Recorded April 23, 2021.