Yet, despite overwhelming voter consensus, the Hate Crimes Act faces obstacles by Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and the Republican-controlled State Senate. Similar hate crimes legislation has passed the State Assembly but has been blocked by the Senate for the last 11 years. When they call the toll-free line, New Yorkers will be transferred directly to Senator Bruno's office so they can urge passage of the important hate crimes legislation. Callers do not have to be Working Assets customers to access this free phone line. Working Assets has partnered with the Anti-Defamation League, Empire State Pride Agenda and other important civil rights organizations to secure passage of New York hate crimes legislation.
Hate crimes are like terrorism.
In 1991 Working Assets created the Citizen Action program to provide customers with timely information and easy ways to speak out on important issues. Each month the company highlights two crucial national issues under debate, explaining what's at stake and who to contact to weigh in on the issue. Beginning this month, New York customers will receive an additional Citizen Action in their monthly long distance bill so they can make their voices heard on critical, statewide issues. Working Assets stands as one of the most powerful progressive citizen-action groups in the nation. In 1998 alone Working Assets customers generated over a million letters and calls to influential decision-makers on issues of concern to the progressive community.