Prove you’re a Democrat, Sen. Klein

The following is a letter the author penned to state Sen. Jeff Klein. Although the senator responded to the author, the senator asked that it not be published.

Dear Sen. Klein:

I am dismayed at your membership in the Independent Democratic Conference.

The IDC’s talking points sound great, but we all know talk is cheap. The record shows that, in fact, the IDC obstructs progressive legislation and takes power away from the Democrats.

I am embarrassed that New York ranks 41st in the union in voter turnout. I support the automatic voter registration and early voting that the Democrats have proposed in their budget. As a constituent, I encourage you to get on board with these efforts and stop allowing the Republicans to get away with attempts to suppress voter rights.

I support the Democrats’ proposal of a $2.1 billion increase in school funding, and I am disheartened that the IDC is allowing the Republicans to propose an increase that is less than half of this amount.

As a constituent, I encourage you to speak out in support of the full $2.1 billion increase in school funding. A sound and basic education is a constitutional right for our children.

Sen. Klein, you also claim to be pro-choice, but refuse to sign as a co-sponsor of the Reproductive Health Act. You can’t be a little bit pro-choice.

If you do not stop allowing Republicans to block progressive legislation, I plan to work to vote you out of office in the upcoming election. You can’t get away with this.

ANNEMARIE GOLDEN