WHAT IS NEW ROOSEVELT?

New Roosevelt was established by activist Bill Samuels to build a movement around making New York State’s legislature the best in the nation.

The focus of New Roosevelt are five pillars of reform – redistricting reform, campaign finance reform, fiscal integrity, legislative reform and ethics – that are neither Republican nor Democratic issues but are necessary in order to eliminate the dysfunction that has plagued New York State. In this effort Bill advocates for progressive change.

Our focus in 2012 through the New Roosevelt Foundation will re-launch the Citizens Committee for an Effective Constitution to restore New York State’s reputation as the national policy leader through the critical analysis of outdated New York State Constitutional provisions that have contributed to statewide dysfunction.

In 2010 through New Roosevelt Initiative, Bill supported the election of idealist insurgents like now-Senator Gustavo Rivera to defeat disgraced now-former Senator Pedro Espada as well as women Senate candidates in Upstate New York in order to increase their representation from 16.1% to be more reflective of the fact that women make up half of our population.

Our ultimate goal is to create a truly great legislature that includes principled and capable leaders such as Teddy, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt were when they started their political careers in Albany. Through New Roosevelt we will make New York’s State Legislature Best in the Nation.

WHAT IS THE NEW ROOSEVELT FOUNDATION?

The New Roosevelt Foundation, Inc. is a New York State Not-for-Profit, founded by Bill Samuels, that has filed for 501(C)(3) status and will re-launched the Citizens’ Committee for an Effective Constitution with one goal: Restoring New York State’s reputation as the national policy leader through the critical analysis of outdated New York State Constitutional provisions that have contributed to statewide dysfunction. In order to come up with the best creative solutions to these problems the Committee seeks to engender informed discussion, debate and action regarding changes to the New York State Constitution that will produce more democratic, responsive, and EFFECTIVE state and local government.

WHAT IS THE NEW ROOSEVELT INITIATIVE?

The New Roosevelt Initiative is an independent expenditure campaign committee founded by activist Bill Samuels, dedicated to helping elect progressive, reform-minded state legislators who will help restore New York State’s government and economy.

THE NEW ROOSEVELT INITIATIVE LEAD THE EFFORT TO OUST DISGRACED SENATOR PEDRO ESPADA

The New Roosevelt Initiative supports candidates who challenge anti-reform incumbents.

In the 2010 Primary Election, disgraced Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. was the target of our Independent Expenditure campaign where we invested in bringing a victory to Gustavo Rivera. In New Roosevelt Initiative’s engagement we implemented surgically targeted field outreach including door to door work, grass-tops organizing, telephone outreach, mail, and other communication tools.

During this campaign we did not coordinate with Gustavo Rivera. Our determination of whom we supported was wholly based on publicly available information, such as web sites, media interviews, and past voting history (where available).

In the 2010 General Election and the 2011 Special Election, some additional candidates including five women Senate candidates who were not the targets of our Independent Expenditure received coordinated support in the form of technical assistance with fundraising from Jacqui Samuels and policy from Benjamin Kallos. You can learn more from the “About Our Team” section.

On the policy side, candidates received personal policy briefings, position papers on the five pillars of reform, extensive original statewide and national research on these pillars, and press kits. Candidates were free to use, modify and distribute our policy materials in educating voters and the media.

On the fundraising side, New Roosevelt Initiative hosted fundraisers and provide exposure through our expansive mailing list. Candidates also had an opportunity to meet with Jacqui Samuels where they were advised on fundraising strategy and development.

HOW WILL THE NEW ROOSEVELT MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE IN FIXING ALBANY?

In the past year, we’ve seen how a small number of legislators can have a disproportionate impact on the Senate as a whole. Unfortunately, the impact caused by the Democratic defectors in the June 2009 coup was driven by cynicism and self-interest. A small group of dedicated reformers could have just as large an impact, but in a manner that would benefit the State rather than embarrass it.

Newly-elected, trustworthy and dedicated reformers in the Senate will fundamentally change the dynamic of the entire legislature and empower other reform-minded legislators who currently find themselves out-numbered and unsupported by leadership. Further, by maintaining this as a multi-year effort, anti-reform incumbents would vote at their own peril, knowing that a well-funded, well-organized, and pro-reform campaign will await them in their next election.

WHERE DOES THE BLUE TIGER ON YOUR PIN COME FROM?

We have revived the old New York Democratic Tiger to represent our new direction. The Tiger was originally the symbol of Engine Six, then a volunteer fire company in Lower Manhattan in the early 19th century. This company still exits, and was one of the first responders on 9/11 who lost four men on that terrible day. The
Tiger is aggressive and demands respect. Our new Tiger will not be associated with the graft of yesterday. Since we have no tolerance for corruption, it will be a symbol for reform, a way of bringing the best practices of the past to help build our future.

The Tiger was the favorite animal of legendary Delaware Indian Chief Tamanend, for whom the Society of Tammany was named, when it was founded in the 1780’s as a benevolent and charitable organization to provide extensive social services and support to its members.

“The tiger affords a useful lesson for you. The exceeding agility of this creature, the extraordinary quickness of his sight, and above all, his discriminating power in the dark, teach you… to look sharp to every engagement you enter into; and to let neither misty days, nor gloomy nights, make you lose sight of the worthy objects of your pursuit.”
—Chief Tamanend (Attr.) (Connable and Silberfarb, 1967)

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED?

If you want to be a part of repairing Albany please consider joining the New Roosevelt by signing up or making a contribution on our website – www.NewRoosevelt.com. You will receive periodic updates on our candidates, campaigns, events, and other activities. Those willing to contribute or raise significant resources or make a significant time commitment to the organization and our goals will be invited to join the New Roosevelt Advisory Board. Those who join in this role will have a critical role in making candidate decisions, growing the organization, and shaping the future direction of New Roosevelt.