Yonkers Insider: Westchester County Democratic Committee: Press Release: WESTCHESTER DEMS BACK NY ERA & FOUR-YEAR TERMS FOR COUNTY LEGISLATORS.

 

WESTCHESTER DEMS BACK NY ERA & FOUR-YEAR TERMS FOR COUNTY LEGISLATORS.

Berger Re-Elected Chair at County Reorganization Meeting.

(White Plains, NY) - The Westchester County Democratic Committee is urging voters this fall to approve two ballot propositions: one that will enshrine civil right protections, including protections for abortion, in the New York State Constitution, and another that will make the terms of Westchester County legislators four years instead of the current two, the full length of legislative term limits will be unchanged.

At the Committee's reorganization meeting at the Westchester County Center Tuesday night, the Committee voted enthusiastically to support the two measures, which will be on the ballot this November.

Proposition 1, which some have referred to as the New York Equal Rights Amendment, would add to the State Constitution prohibitions against discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes, including protecting against government action that could limit reproductive autonomy or access to reproductive health care.

Suzanne Berger, Chair of the WCDC, said: "Many voters don't realize that the New York State Constitution, while it prohibits discrimination on the basis of race and religion, has no protections against discrimination on the basis of age, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, or reproductive health access. Westchester Democrats believe it's imperative that we make these protections a matter of State Constitutional protection. While laws exist to protect these rights now, laws can be easily changed by any future state legislature. In a time when our rights and freedoms are under attack, enshrining these civil rights protections in our state constitution allows us to preserve these rights for future generations."

Proposition 2, which would take effect in January if passed, would change the term of Westchester County legislators from two years to four years. A 12-year consecutive term limit will remain in effect, legislators are currently limited to six two-year terms.

Berger said, "By changing the County legislative term to four years, we can reduce the amount of taxpayer dollars spent on elections and at the same time ensure that our legislators have the time and continuity to focus on the increasingly complex legislative issues that confront our growing county, instead of perpetually campaigning. This is good governance, and is in keeping with the terms lengths of other counties like Rockland, while holding firm on term limits that many other counties do not have."

She added, “Remember, on Election Day, turn over your ballots and vote ‘yes’ on these propositions.”

At the convention, more than 600 County Committee members heard inspiring words from State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins and congressional candidate Mondaire Jones and were revved up to work hard for a Democratic Victory on Nov 5.

Also on Tuesday night, the Committee elected its 2024 officers:

Chair: Suzanne Berger

First Vice Chair: Shelley B. Mayer

Second Vice Chair: Bruce Campbell

Vice Chair - Female 1: Terry Clements

Vice Chair - Female 2: Terry Degatano

Vice Chair – Female 3: Linda Fernberg

Vice Chair - Female 4: Ximena Francella

Vice Chair - Female 5: Karen Pecora

Vice Chair - Female 6: Erika Pierce

Vice Chair - Male 1: Joseph Apicella

Vice Chair - Male 2: Don Buchwald

Vice Chair - Male 3: Phillip D. Chonigman

Vice Chair - Male 4: Tom Meier, Jr.

Vice Chair - Male 5: Anthony Nicodemo

Vice Chair - Male 6: Louis Sanchez

Treasurer: Marcel Florestal

Assistant Treasurer: Brian Higbie

Secretary: Tajian M. Nelson

Assistant Secretary: Diana Toledo