Who is Standing Up for New York’s Union Members?
By Frank Spotorno with Dan Murphy
At the end of the Roman Empire, the senate gave up its power to an Emperor, who held most of it. I see our State government in New York in the same way. We now have an Emperor, or Empress, running our state. Her name is Kathy Hochul.
President Trump received 325,000 more votes in New York State in 2024 than he did in 2020. I think all New Yorkers, but especially Democrats, should ask why.
It would have been wise for Governor Hochul and the Democrats, who hold total control in Albany, to acknowledge the people’s will and modify their decisions.
But there has been none of that. Instead, we get more of the same:
1-Congestion Pricing: I can’t believe Governor Hochul thinks she can win reelection next year (2026) by implementing a $9 toll into Midtown and lower Manhattan. She has lost the votes of many of my friends and co-workers who work on construction projects in Manhattan, as well as the cops, firefighters, nurses, and teachers who work every day in Manhattan. For some workers, hopping on a Metro-North or LIRR doesn’t always fit their schedule. And some are afraid to ride the subway. These Civil Servants are also Union members. Some unions came out against Congestion Pricing, but the Empress didn’t listen.
The MTA should have made efforts to save money, like the $700 Million per year they are losing in fare beaters, before asking the drivers for more. My friends tell me they plan to drive in through the GW Bridge now, or Triboro Bridge if coming from Queens or Long Island, to avoid the toll.
And is this the time and the place for another fee in NYC? Tourism is down, crime is up, inflation is up? Wake up, Empress!
2-Crime and Bail Reform: Governor Hochul recently said that she would ask her democratic colleagues in Albany to change the laws concerning the mentally ill and homeless who are making the streets of New York City and the subways a dangerous place. That is a good first step, but let’s see if my State Senator, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and the Assembly agree. However, the problem still exists with the same people I see on the subway during the week. They are jumping the turnstiles and are terrorizing older residents and lower-income New Yorkers who have no choice but to ride the subway.
Repeat offenders need to go to jail. They should not be arrested and allowed to walk out of court. Let’s support the police when they make an arrest.
3-Funding for Migrants: The taxpayers of New York State have paid $5 Billion to fund the arrival of illegal migrants, mainly to New York City. That $5 Billion goes to pay for hotel rooms, debit cards, meals and healthcare. But we have many New Yorkers who need that assistance, including Veterans living on our streets and our seniors living on fixed incomes. And how many illegal migrants are we paying benefits to who are also criminals?
4-A $500 gift from the Governor: Hochul has proposed an inflation refund check of $300 per person and $500 per family. It’s nothing short of a bribe to get Hochul reelected next year. Cuomo does it all the time. Don’t get me wrong; I’ll take the check and put it to good use; we all will.
But isn’t there another way to make better use of this money? How about the state keep my $500, combine it with the $5 billion for migrants, give it to the MTA, and get rid of congestion pricing? Congressman Mike Lawler asked the same question.
The last straw for me was when Governor Hochul recently vetoed a bill sponsored by my other State Senator from Yonkers, Shelley Mayer. I’m a proud union member, and Mayer’s bill would have required that a labor representative be included in every IDA in the state.
Here’s what Senator Mayer wrote after the veto. “I am deeply disappointed that the Governor vetoed my bill, S4040B, to ensure that labor representatives and representatives of school boards are included as members in every IDA (Industrial Development Agency). These agencies grant tax breaks and other fiscal benefits to for-profit projects in our communities. It is critical that the voice of labor and school officials be included, even as minority voices within each IDA. I will continue to fight to find a path for this representation and will not be deterred by this action this year.”
What about the hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers who are union members (construction, teachers, fire, police, DPW, nurses) and taxpayers? Don’t we deserve a seat at the table where the IDA is spending our tax dollars?
Where is the role of labor in the New York Democratic Party? And where is our representation from Empress Hochul?
I don’t think Governor Hochul can win reelection in 2026. She will either be removed by her own democratic party (another dem will challenge her), or even a Republican could win.
Frank Spotorno was a candidate for Congress in 2016, NY-14. He is the founder of bringourjobshome.com, an organization that has been working since 1999 to bring millions of manufacturing jobs back to the USA.
