NEW YORK — State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the 35th District representative, launches her re-election campaign on her website at www.andreastewartcousins.com, by declaring, “There is a new day dawning for a new New York. I remain committed to working hard for my constituents whom I proudly represent in Greenburgh and Scarsdale, and part of Yonkers, White Plains and New Rochelle. I continue to see the opportunities we have to create a better New York, while also recognizing the numerous achievements we have already accomplished,” said Stewart-Cousins.
First elected in 2006* the veteran legislator from Yonkers has risen to become the first female leader of a legislative conference in New York State history, when, in 2012, her Democratic colleagues chose her to be the Democratic Conference Leader. “New Yorkers sent a clear message in 2012 when they elected a majority of Democrats to the State Senate. This election year, let’s finally give New Yorkers the progressive government they voted for.” Senator Stewart-Cousins is poised to become the first female Majority Leader in the New York State Senate if a majority of democrats remain in control of the State Senate this year.
“I’m asking the voters in my district to participate – volunteer on my campaign, and across New York State, exercise one of your most precious rights – the right to vote,” said Stewart-Cousins. “Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th. If you haven’t registered to vote, or you have recently moved, update your voter information now. And if you’re wondering where you vote, you can find out by clicking on the link provided on my campaign website.”
Senator Stewart-Cousins is still fighting to grow our economy, create jobs, and for a real increase in the minimum wage which includes local control because we know that $8 an hour is not sufficient. She understands that common sense campaign finance and ethics reforms are needed because New Yorkers deserve a government that serves the people with honesty and integrity. Senator Stewart-Cousins remains a champion of equal rights for women, including pay equity, protections for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking, and a guarantee that women have the right to make personal health decisions.
Senator Stewart-Cousins is a strong advocate for education, human rights and opportunities, economic development, tax fairness and making government more efficient, transparent and accountable to all citizens. As Leader of the Democratic Conference, she has pushed for common sense and progressive reforms for all New Yorkers, including passing four on-time state budgets in the last four years with record education aid additions that have restored the state’s financial stability. The middle class tax rate is the lowest its been in 60 years.
Senator Stewart-Cousins has sponsored and passed transformative legislation that has become law, such as the landmark Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act. This law empowers communities across the State to consolidate local governments, which reduces overlap of municipal services and saves taxpayer dollars. With her help, the Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry remains open today, continuing to serve the healthcare needs in her district. Recognizing the flawed roll-out of the Common Core, Senator Stewart-Cousins led the fight for reforms that are now in place including student privacy protections and a Parents Bill of Rights, student testing reductions, an indefinite moratorium on how these tests will affect student records and a two year teacher evaluation moratorium.