State Sen. Julia Salazar on How Socialist Legislators Are Standing Up to Andrew Cuomo
Socialist New York State Sen. Julia Salazar has some harsh words for Andrew Cuomo’s botched handling of COVID-19, his “power grab” at the pandemic’s beginning, and his refusal to tax the rich: “It is dangerous for Gov. Cuomo to continue to be the most powerful person in our state.”
In New York, Democratic Socialist of America–endorsed Julia Salazar was reelected to State Senate. (Photo courtesy Julia Salazar)
In 2019, Julia Salazar became the first member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) to serve in New York’s state legislature and also the youngest woman elected in the history of the New York State Senate. In 2020, she won the Democratic primary and reelection to State Senate District 18 in landslides.
In office, Senator Salazar has championed tenants’ rights, criminal justice reform, women’s rights, and the decriminalization of sex work. She played a leading role in winning the strongest legislative protections for tenants in New York history.
She spoke to Jacobin’s Hadas Thier about how she and other progressive lawmakers have stood up to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s abuses of power and budget cuts and have fought for an agenda that benefits working-class New Yorkers.
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