To the editor:

Progressives for CNY Supports Colleen Deacon’s positions on the following issues.

Progressives for CNY began a year ago in support of Bernie Sander’s presidential bid. Many hundreds of people joined our efforts in talking with their neighbors, phone-banking, door-knocking, raising money and sharing information on social media as part of our effort. We are continuing our work to foster a political revolution.

While Colleen Deacon, the Democratic candidate for the 24th Congressional District doesn’t support all the positions we believe are important, she supports enough of them that we wanted to point them out to our fellow Central New Yorkers as they decide how to participate in the Nov. 8 election. We also found Ms. Deacon to be welcome to meeting with community groups, hearing our concerns and engaging in meaningful dialogue about the issues important to our region.

On issues of trade and economic justice, Ms. Deacon has expressed strong opposition to the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a disastrous “trade” deal. She is campaigning on that opposition and has agreed to speak out against a vote on it during the lame-duck session if she is elected. She supports a $15 minimum wage and increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations, as well as paid family leave.

To make democracy work, Ms. Deacon supports a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. She supports efforts to get money out of politics and reduce the power of corporations and the wealthy. She believes voting should be made simpler and easier, favoring same day registration, early voting and removing onerous restrictions on voters.

On health care, while Ms. Deacon does not at this time support Medicare for All, she would like to see us move toward universal healthcare and supports adding a public option to the Affordable Care Act and amending it so that the government could negotiate lower prices with drug companies. She will defend Planned Parenthood and work to ensure that all women have access to high-quality, affordable health care.

On the critical issue of climate change, Ms. Deacon understands that climate change is caused by humans and is an extremely important issue. She supports a federal ban on fracking and is open to a carbon tax on fossil fuels. She supports more stringent energy efficiency standards and increased investment in clean energy.

Bernie Sanders received over 25,000 votes in our Congressional district during the presidential primary and would have received thousands more if independents could have voted. We believe that Colleen Deacon is the better candidate to advance our values for the 24th congressional district in this critical election.

Katherine Burns, Otisco

Andy Mager, Syracuse

on behalf of Progressives for CNY