Of the Senate's 62 members, only 21 currently support marriage equality, and six Democrats have evidenced opposition to the measure. That means even if the party captures control of the Senate in November, it will be a heavy lift to secure our marriage rights, already approved by the Assembly.

Asked in a recent interview with Gay City News about his ability to jawbone his colleagues, Connor pledged, "I would have no problem looking them all in the eye and saying, 'Sorry this is the right thing to do. I'm going to have a press conference.'" Yet moments later, when asked about his accomplishments, the senator responded, "I have a different style. I don't look to do a press conference."

Daniel Squadron, an aggressive challenger who hits hard on the issue of reform in Albany, seemed more comfortable about assuming a lead role in goading his colleagues. "That is a drum I plan to beat as aggressively as anybody," he said of the push for marriage equality.

Squadron is smart, articulate, and, unlike Connor, pledges to devote his full attention to his job as a legislator. We think he will make the sort of advocate who will hasten success on our issues.

Voters in Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Williamsburg and Greenpoint have
been represented for 30 years by state Sen. Marty Connor, an affable,
behind-the-scenes power broker who has quite simply not been the same
since he was deposed as Senate Minority Leader (by future Gov. David
Paterson, no less!) in 2002.

Connor is a tired figure who conceded to our editorial board that he
would not even be running for re-election if he didn't think that
Democrats had a chance to retake the Senate. He claims that he would
be reenergized if his party retakes power -- maybe yes, maybe no -- but
what if the Democrats don't? Then we'd be certain to get another two
years of worn-out representation.

And on one of the most significant issues in the district -- the
subversion of Brooklyn Bridge Park from an urban oasis with the
potential to rival Central and Prospect parks, to an economic
development site driven by condominium and commercial development --
Connor let us all down. It was Connor's bill in 2005 that created the
financing scheme that sets aside park residents' payments in lieu of
property taxes as the maintenance budget of the park, a faulty plan
likely to give residents of the supposedly public park more control
over what goes on there. It also allows commercial development in the
park to take place without public scrutiny.

Connor's opponent, Daniel Squadron, is an ambitious politician like
his patron, Sen. Charles Schumer. But unlike Connor, who has been
content to sit on a minority bench in the Senate for so many years,
blaming his party's lack of control for lack of performance, Squadron
is a man on the move who will fight hard and work diligently, if only
to make himself electable to Congress someday. Political ambition is
hardly a sin.

We do have some reservations about Squadron. He's barely worked
outside the political world and, in fact, he doesn't need to work at
all, thanks to a trust-fund established by his late father, the
ultimate insider legal eagle, Howard Squadron. That trust-fund,
together with the Schumer machine, is responsible for this contest;
voters in the district might be excused if they were unaware that
there was even a contest -- Squadron's slick, sometimes negative direct
mail pieces came almost daily; responses by Connor's underfunded
campaign were too little, too late.

We don't agree with every one of Squadron's proposals, but we're
impressed with the fact that he has energized political discourse in
the district. On virtually every topic in which voters are interested
-- transportation, reforming Albany, neighborhood character and
affordability, Brooklyn Bridge Park, the environment and schools --
Squadron has put forth positions that remind voters of how little
energy Connor has brought to bear on these intractable problems.

For these reasons, we endorse Daniel Squadron for the 25th state
Senate district.

(c)2008 The Brooklyn Paper

State Senate Candidate Daniel Squadron was endorsed today by the Sierra Club. Comprised of more than 1.3 million members nationally, the Sierra Club is one of America's oldest, largest and most influential grassroots environmental organizations. Their advocacy of environmental issues has raised awareness about the importance of natural resource preservation on a local, national, and global scale.

"The Sierra Club enthusiastically endorses Daniel Squadron because of his strong environmental agenda and commitment to implementing it," said Ken Baer, Former Chair of the Sierra Club Atlantic Chapter. "We are confident Daniel will aggressively move forward on state and local environmental issues - such as renewable energy - and we are looking forward to working with Daniel when he represents the 25th Senate District "

In the last month, Squadron has received endorsements from Mayor Bloomberg, The New York Times, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, ACORN, and the Downtown Express and Villager newspapers. He has also been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, the progressive Working Families Party, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, and CWA District 1.

SQUADRON FOR STATE SENATE

ELECTION NIGHT

THANK YOU PARTY!

8PM, TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9

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Ken Diamondstone today endorsed Daniel Squadron in the Democratic Primary for the 25th Senate District in Manhattan and Brooklyn. Diamondstone, a lifelong community leader and affordable housing creator, ran for the Democratic nomination in 2006 and received more than 9,000 votes. He was joined by Dorothy Siegel and George Albro, Co-Chairs of the South Brooklyn Working Families Party Club.

"Ken Diamondstone knows better than anyone that we need change in the 25th Senate district," said State Senate Candidate Daniel Squadron. "We share a commitment to reforming Albany and fighting for change. Real leadership, which we need now more than ever in Albany, means fighting to make sure progressive principles are put into real action."

Diamondstone has served at the forefront of numerous community organizations. He has also served as Vice Chair of the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats, on the executive board of Lambda Independent Democrats and as a board member of Independent Neighborhood Democrats.

Daniel Squadron has spent his life in New York and his career in public service: as a top aide to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and co-author with Senator Schumer, of Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time; as Communications Director on the campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act and provide hundreds of millions of dollars for our subways and buses; and working for our public school system to move money from the bureaucracy to the classroom.

As State Senator, Squadron has vowed to fight every day to change a culture in Albany - on both sides of the aisle - that too often elevates self-preservation over bold solutions; he will be a strong advocate for an overhaul of our campaign finance system, rules reform that creates a functioning legislature, non-partisan redistricting, and reasonable term limits so elective office is no longer a lifetime entitlement.

In the last month, Squadron has received endorsements from Mayor Bloomberg, The New York Times, Congressman Anthony Weiner, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, ACORN, and the Downtown Express and Villager newspapers. He has also been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, the progressive Working Families Party, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, and CWA District 1.

August 22, 2008

Editorial

Endorsements for a Better Albany

Most New Yorkers want a better, fairer, more open State Legislature instead of the embarrassment they now endure. For the primary on Sept. 9, there are two Democratic races in New York City that offer a chance to make a change in Albany or, at least make a strong statement about how badly change is needed.

The most important of these races is in Lower Manhattan, where Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, one of the most powerful people in the state, is facing his first real challenge in decades. It is still an uphill fight for any opponent, but the race has already made one difference. It has brought the ever-secretive Mr. Silver out to meet voters and campaign for his job.

Of the two challengers, Paul Newell, a community activist with deep roots in the Lower East Side, has the stronger credentials. Luke Henry, an attorney who moved into the district more recently, is working hard. Mr. Newell has done a better job of identifying Mr. Silver's weaknesses: mainly, his devotion to closed-door politics, including his refusal to disclose details about his outside income. Mr. Newell is also pledging to support congestion pricing and to press for a nonpartisan redistricting commission, which is essential for real change. In the 64th Assembly District, we endorse Paul Newell.

In the 25th State Senate District in Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, another challenger deserves support. He is Daniel Squadron, an energetic former aide to United States Senator Charles Schumer who is running against Senator Martin Connor. Mr. Connor has been in this seat for three decades and accomplished far too little. He has also made a good living as an attorney bumping potential candidates off of New York ballots. Mr. Squadron says he is committed to cleaning up Albany and that serving in the Senate would be his only job. If Mr. Squadron wants to prove his commitment to reform then he still needs to be more forthcoming about his financial holdings. That said, we endorse Mr. Squadron as an enthusiastic new outsider.

As eager as we are to see change in Albany, there are a few incumbents that deserve re-election. One is Democratic Assemblyman Adriano Espaillat, who is defending his seat in Northern Manhattan's 72nd Assembly District against City Councilman Miguel Martinez. Mr. Espaillat has united blacks and Hispanics in Albany, and he has spoken out for thousands who were being evicted as developers sought higher rents.

Mr. Martinez's challenge has forced Mr. Espaillat to focus even more on the neighborhood's housing crisis and to defend his overly generous use of state mailings during the campaign. But Mr. Martinez falls short because his sloppy record-keeping in a previous campaign has drawn one of the city's highest fines. Voters should stick with Mr. Espaillat.

Time for a change: Squadron in state Senate primary

One of the disturbing things about Downtown politics is that incumbents just don't face tough re-election battles. Although Lower Manhattan has many capable representatives who deserve to stay in office, they would nevertheless benefit from strong and serious challenges every few years. And there's one legislator, in particular, state Senator Martin Connor, whom we have hoped for quite some time would face a candidate who offers a better choice. That day has finally arrived and that candidate is Daniel Squadron.

Connor can usually be counted on to write the right letter, support the community board's position and show up to the important rally with the other elected officials, but he almost never takes the lead.

Squadron, who cut his teeth working for two of the hardest-working people in politics -- U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and U.S. Representative Anthony Weiner -- has run an impressive campaign, and is surprisingly better versed on the issues than his opponent, who has been an Albany fixture for 30 years. Squadron is determined to reform the capitol and if the Democrats take control of the state Senate, we think he has a good chance to bring real change. He's a smart, creative thinker and we agree with his argument that his victory over a former Senate minority leader, just by itself, will give wavering Democrats incentive to keep their promises.

There is not a lot of argument about what Albany needs -- things like nonpartisan Senate and Assembly district lines and campaign finance reform to get big money out so challengers have a fair shot.

Connor, also a Democrat, argues he knows how things work and remembers all of the promises he and other Senate Democrats have made about the reform they'd enact if they ever got control. He told us he would hold press conferences to embarrass any of his colleagues who tried to back out of longstanding pledges; that has never been Connor's style and he wasn't able to give us an example of ever doing something similar when we asked him for one. In fact, he backtracked and said he's not one to hold press conferences.

Squadron says to give him two years and see what he can do. Yes, he is young and does not have a long résumé, but he has shown more than enough to prove he deserves a chance. It's not much of a risk given the alternative.

On the issues, there are not big differences, but Squadron has better positions. His approach on mayoral control of the schools is right -- renew it but give parents a stronger voice. Connor likes to rail against the problems of mayoral control, but he does not have a better system in mind and admits that keeping the mayor in charge may be the best option.

Both favor congestion pricing -- an idea that thankfully looks like it will be revived. But Connor continues to emphasize the traffic plan's negatives, whereas Squadron sees the potential to bond the traffic revenue to help close the M.T.A.'s overwhelming capital budget deficit. Connor speaks more favorably about bridge tolls, which is also a good idea but is a political nonstarter, and it makes us wonder if he is even serious about cutting congestion and raising transit money. Another of Connor's ideas to raise transportation funds was to tax businesses more for hiring more people -- creating the precise incentives you don't want in tough economic times.

Unlike Connor, who is an election attorney, Squadron pledges to work full time as a senator and he has not taken any corporate or political action committee donations. Connor's attacks on Squadron have generally ranged from the false to the misleading to the ridiculous. He says Squadron's refusal to take PAC money from labor unions means he is against working people. Well, tell that to the Working Families Party, which supports Squadron and his pro-labor platform. Connor doesn't even seem to realize that the logical conclusion to this line of attack is that his support for labor is tied to his union donations, and if the money ever dried up, so would his defense of the working class.

It sounds like someone who doesn't understand what's wrong with Albany.

The Villager enthusiastically endorses Daniel Squadron in the Democratic primary for state Senate on Sept. 9.

Congressman Anthony Weiner today endorsed Daniel Squadron in the Democratic Primary for the 25th Senate District in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and campaigned with him outside of the Borough Hall subway station in Brooklyn Heights.

"Congressman Weiner and I share a passion for taking on tough challenges no matter the odds," said Squadron. "For too long in Albany our legislators have settled for the status quo and sided with the special interests, rather than fighting on behalf of New Yorkers struggling to make a life here. Congressman Weiner fights hard every day for real New Yorkers, and I'm thrilled to have his support."

Daniel Squadron has spent his life in New York and his career in public service. He was a top aide to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer and Congressman Anthony Weiner, and was co-author with Senator Schumer, of Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time. He has also worked for the public schools, and was Communications Director on the campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act.

In the last two weeks Squadron has received endorsements from Mayor Bloomberg, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, and ACORN. He has also been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, the progressive Working Families Party, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, and CWA District 1.

Squadron: New Delay Another Alarm Bell On Getting Park Built

Links Brooklyn Bridge Park With Vision for Unified Harbor Park

Today, Daniel Squadron, a Democrat running to represent the 25th State Senate District, stood with supporters and local parents to call for swiftly building a real Brooklyn Bridge Park.

"After years of delay - and a new five year delay announced just last week - we need new leadership in the State Senate to get this park built," Squadron said. "Our communities, our borough and our city deserve a real, world-class park with year-round recreation - without having our waterfront turned into a de facto backyard for luxury condo towers."

Squadron was also joined by Michael Rabinowitz, Deputy Director for Strategic and Political Affairs of the NY Hotel and Motel Trades Council, which has endorsed Squadron. Rabinowitz praised the plan for the hotel. "The hotel planned for this park will help increase the world-class hotel options in this City," said Rabinowitz. "Who wouldn't want to stay here, with this wonderful view and so many great entertainment options nearby? As long as it is free from labor disruptions and disputes, it will be a great addition to the
neighborhood and help fund this great park."

Also standing with Squadron were local parents and children, including Lisa Pines, a Brooklyn resident, and her son Graham, age 10. "I want to see this park built while my son can still enjoy it. I'm confident Daniel is the fighter we need to make this vision a reality for our community."

Murray Adams, Former President of the Cobble Hill Association, also voiced his support for Squadron's proposal. "Dan Squadron is absolutely right to oppose any new housing being built in Brooklyn Bridge Park, and to sponsor legislation to get the park designated by the State as parkland to prevent it. It is wrong to require any park to be self-supporting from revenues generated from housing and other non-compatible uses."

Squadron's proposal for the Park includes:

• State legislation to designate the area as parkland
• No new housing within the park's boundaries
• Using a community-based process to increase year-round recreation (eg. swimming pool, ice skating rink, field house, cultural presentation/performance space, affordable waterfront concessions)
• A multi-borough commission on linking Governor's Island, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Hudson River Park and the East River Waterfront
• An immediate public 30-day audit of projected costs and revenues, including those expected from the existing development at 360 Furman, the proposed hotel and other potential revenue generation within the park to prevent delay and ensure the park's operating budget is sustainable

In advocating for moving forward with the right plan that links Brooklyn Bridge Park with the other new waterfront parks - Hudson River Park, the East River waterfront and Governor's Island - Squadron said that it is critical to implement a timeline to create a Unified Harbor Park that would create a new and innovative central park for the center of our city. This Unified Harbor Park would draw city residents back into the waterfront, create an active harbor, and drive economic development.

"We have an opportunity here to advocate forcefully for the kind of 21st Century grand project like the great public works of Central Park and Prospect Park," said Squadron. "With the right balance, the Unified Harbor Park would serve both as a local spot for immediate residential communities, as well as a magnet that draws folks in from surrounding communities and the world."

Daniel Squadron is running in the Democratic Primary to represent the 25th State Senate District. He was a co-author, with Senator Charles Schumer, of the book Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time. He has also worked for the public schools and was Communications Director on the campaign to pass
the Transportation Bond Act. Squadron has been endorsed by Senator Schumer, Mayor Bloomberg, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblymember Kavanagh, the progressive Working Families Party, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, UNITE HERE! Local 23-25, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, and CWA District 1.

Standing on the steps of City Hall, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer and Daniel Squadron, Democratic candidate for the New York State Senate (District 25), unveiled an eleven-point plan to reform Albany, and announced Stringer's endorsement of Squadron's candidacy.

The Squadron "Real Accountability, Real Democracy" Reform Plan includes proposals to:

1. Mandate that bills that clear committees see timely debate, of a reasonable time period, and a vote before the full chamber.

2. Ease the restrictions on discharge petitions to more easily allow legislators to force roll-call votes in committee or the entire chamber.

3. Increase transparency related to committee proceedings and require more committee participation.

4. Allow sponsors of passed legislation or the leadership of the houses to call conference committees when similar (but not identical) bills pass both houses.

5. Repeal the 2005 rule forcing rules changes to be approved by the Rules Committee.

6. Equalize the distribution of staff and office resources.

7. Implement a Clean Money, Clean Elections system of public financing for state elections, with a system mirroring New York City's as a starting point.

8. Institute a strong enforcement mechanism and strengthen regulations on personal spending and disclosure requirements.

9. Create a non-partisan independent redistricting commission, so legislators can't draw their own districts, and allow the legislature only a simple up or down vote.

10. Make voting easier by passing Election Day Voter Registration.

11. Improve ballot access by reducing petition signature requirements and reforming the vacancy-filling process.

Stringer, a former Assemblymember who in 2004 succeeded in passing the first legislative rules reforms in decades, including the end of empty-seat voting in the Assembly, and who was the original sponsor of Election Day Voter Registration legislation, said: "Throughout his career, Daniel Squadron has demonstrated an intelligent, progressive approach to challenging the status quo and getting results, and in this campaign he has shown courage that is almost unheard of in Albany. Only one candidate in this race will be the powerful voice for progressive change that we so desperately need in Albany. That is why, as someone who cares deeply about reforming government at every level, I am proud to support Daniel Squadron."

Squadron said: "Very few ever do what Scott Stringer did in Albany: go beyond talking about change and demonstrate the courage and the skills to make it happen. His work leading the charge for reform in the Assembly will serve as a model for me if I have the honor to serve in the State Senate, and I am tremendously proud that he has the courage to stand with me in this campaign. Over the next three weeks, I look forward to campaigning with him at subways, supermarkets and street fairs - and after that I will rely closely on his counsel as I go to shake things up in Albany."

Daniel Squadron is running in the Democratic Primary to represent the 25th State Senate District, which includes Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn. He served as a top aide to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, with whom he co-authored Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time. He has also worked for the public schools and was communications director on the successful campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act.

In addition to Borough President Stringer, Squadron has been endorsed by Senator Schumer, Mayor Mike Bloomberg, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, the progressive Working Families Party, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, UNITE HERE! Local 23-25, the Downtown Independent Democrats, United Auto Workers Region 9A, and Communications Workers of America District 1.

Click here to read the detailed plan for reform: ReformAlbanyPlanFinal.pdf

"Mayor Bloomberg and I share a belief in taking on big challenges and fighting for what we believe is right -- and we both know that there is no bigger challenge than reforming Albany nor any fight that could be more right," said Squadron. "I am honored that the mayor is supporting this race for reform and results. I continue to believe that with hard work, independence, and a progressive vision, our state legislature has incredible potential to deliver real results for our neighborhoods, our city and our state."

This is the third major endorsement Squadron has received in the last two days, joining Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh and ACORN, who endorsed Squadron on Monday.

Daniel Squadron has spent his life in New York and his career in public service: as a top aide to U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and co-author with Senator Schumer, of Positively American: Winning Back the Middle Class Majority One Family at a Time; as Communications Director on the campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act and provide hundreds of millions of dollars for our subways and buses; and working for our public school system to move money from the bureaucracy to the classroom.

As State Senator, Squadron has vowed to fight every day to change a culture in Albany - on both sides of the aisle - that too often elevates self-preservation over bold solutions; he will be a strong advocate for an overhaul of our campaign finance system, rules reform that creates a functioning legislature, non-partisan redistricting, and reasonable term limits so elective office is no longer a lifetime entitlement.

Squadron has also been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh, the progressive Working Families Party, ACORN, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, CWA District 1, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25.

• Independence -- he is not accepting contributions from corporations, PACs or lobbyists so that constituents never need to wonder who he's working for.

• Hard Work -- he has been out in the district, knocking on over 5,000 doors, sharing his new ideas for Albany and our neighborhoods and building the kind of accountability that comes from meeting constituents face-to-face.

• Progressive Vision -- he believes deeply that New York State can once again be a model which proves that an active and efficient government truly expands opportunity to everyone.

ACORN and Tenant Leaders Cite Progressive Values
and Ability to Stand Up For Affordable Housing

Today, Assemblymember Brian Kavanagh stood alongside ACORN members, Lower East Side tenant leaders, and community activists to endorse Daniel Squadron for State Senate in the 25th District, covering parts of Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn.

ACORN leader Bertha Lewis lauded Squadron's independence, progressive values, and commitment to fighting for affordable housing. "In a neighborhood with more affordable housing than almost any other in the city, at a time when affordable housing units are being lost by the minute, Daniel Squadron's commitment to repealing vacancy decontrol is just a part of what makes him exactly the kind of progressive fighter that this community needs in Albany," said Lewis.

Squadron today also received the official endorsement of a number of tenant leaders, including Mary Baez and Felicita Madera of Smith Houses, Charlotte Miles of Lillian Wald Houses, Eric Crooke of Rutgers Houses, Odell Pamias of Jacob Riis Houses, and Mercedes Ruiz of 175 Eldridge Street. The tenant leaders called Squadron the best candidate to ensure public housing stays affordable and public housing tenants get the services they deserve.

"I'm thrilled to receive the endorsement of Assemblymember Kavanagh, ACORN, and Lower East Side tenant leaders. It takes guts and real progressive vision to stand up to the status quo, to reject the special interests, and to demand change," said Squadron. "Brian Kavanagh is a leader in the fight to reform Albany, and I look forward to working alongside him to fight for working families, to preserve affordable housing, and to bring about the kinds of reform that will lead to real results for the residents of the Lower East Side. With the support of Assemblymember Kavanagh, ACORN, and so many community leaders, it is impossible to deny the powerful momentum of our movement for progressive change."

Daniel Squadron is running in the Democratic Primary to represent the 25th State Senate District. He was a co-author, with Senator Chuck Schumer, of the book Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time. He has also worked for the public schools and was Communications Director on the campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act. Squadron has also been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, the progressive Working Families Party, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, CWA District 1, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25.

Criticizes Opponent's Support of $150 Million for Empty Upstate Prisons

Today, Daniel Squadron, Democratic candidate for the 25th State Senate District, called on lawmakers in Albany to increase funding for new school construction. The call for more funding for new schools was part of an education plan that Squadron released today. In addition to calling for more funding and better planning for school construction, the plan lays out ways to improve parental engagement, community involvement, school assessment, and teacher quality. [Plan attached]

In releasing his education plan and calling for funding for schools, Squadron drew a link to the vote by his opponent, Senator Martin Connor, in this year's budget to keep four upstate prisons open, at a cost of $150 million over five years. Eight Democratic senators voted against keeping the prisons open.

"We shouldn't be spending hundreds of millions to keep empty upstate prisons open when we are closing out hundreds of students every year from overcrowded public schools right here in New York City. This shows exactly what's wrong with the broken culture of Albany," Squadron said. "Special interest favors and maintaining the status quo are the top priority for legislators, while voters and neighborhoods get left behind."

Daniel Squadron is running in the Democratic Primary to represent the 25th State Senate District. He was a co-author, with Senator Chuck Schumer, of the book Positively American: Winning Back the Middle-Class Majority One Family at a Time. He has also worked for the public schools and was Communications Director on the campaign to pass the Transportation Bond Act. Squadron has been endorsed by Senator Chuck Schumer, the progressive Working Families Party, the Downtown Independent Democrats, UAW Region 9A, CWA District 1, the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council and UNITE HERE! Local 23-25.

Read Daniel's education plan here: EducationWP.pdf

There's no question that community boards in Lower Manhattan know how to make their voices heard. In boards 1, 2 and 3, some of the most active and engaged folks in all of New York work together to fight for community priorities.

Around here, you can sometimes forget that the boards' role is only advisory.

But when push comes to shove, in neighborhoods across Lower Manhattan -- from the East River to the Hudson, from Tribeca to Soho to the Lower East Side -- the limit of community board authority is too often felt acutely; none more than in the battle to control and manage the seemingly endless proliferation of bars.

Click here to continue reading Daniel's op-ed in the Villager