By Dave Lucas
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-998867.mp3
Albany, NY – The 22nd Annual People's State of the State Rally was held Tuesday at the former Occupy Albany site in Academy Park across the street from the New York State Capitol - WAMC's Dave Lucas was at the gathering and files this report.
The Noon rally opened in a fierce January chill with a couple of traditional labor-friendly folk songs. Singers and speakers often struggled to heard against the Carillon's chiming across the street at Albany City Hall. Akhtab Fardan Nassir representing "Occupy Worldwide" - spoke in the bitter cold, intent on "lighting a fire under Governor Andrew Cuomo's feet" - Mark Dunlea explained that his organization, The Hunger Action Network, shifted the rally's location from the Capitol to show support for the Occupy movement.
Dunlea says 2011 saw record numbers of New Yorkers showing up at food pantries and soup kitchens - Natash Pernicka, Executive Director of The Food Pantries, spoke in favor on increasing state funding for EFPs through HPNAP (Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program) by $4.3 million from $29 million. "In our 33 years as an organization, this is the most difficult time our pantries have ever faced. We need HPNAP to keep up with our communities increasing emergent needs," said Pernicka.
PEF President Ken Brynien expressed his admiration for the occupiers. Brynien said, "It's about time state leaders recognize what many New Yorkers already know: that their quality of life and this state's economy depend on state and other public services. Whether it's keeping our highways and bridges safe, or protecting our food, air and water supplies, state services must be well funded and well staffed. We can't move New York forward without them."
Occupy Albany endorsed the rally and participated with the usual "mic check" led by Dan Lyles. Ron Deutsch, the Executive Director of New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness, told the crowd everyone is in solidarity with Occupy and with Unions to tell the Governor he needs to address the issues during Wednesday's state of the state.
The Hunger Action Network's Mark Dunlea says the Governor ignores the citizens who need him most. Dunlea pointed out that 1 in 7 New Yorkers are out of work; the state has lost over half a million jobs since 2007. Median household incomes fell last year to levels last seen in 1996. It was the first time since the Great Depression that median household income had not risen over such a long period.
Among issues raised: hiking the state's minimum wage and getting the final year of the raise in New York's welfare basic grant. The groups also want Governor Cuomo to appoint a strong anti-poverty advocate to be the Commissioner of the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance. The position has been vacant for two years.