Maltese-August is Women's Suffrage Month-100th Anniversary

Maryann Maltese, Democrat-Independent-Working Families Party-Establisher, Candidate for NYS Assembly 12th AD-Huntington-is tapping into her past and present to remind Cuomo on the need for the Enactment and Passage of Wage Fairness Bills for inactive and active Staffers of the NYS Legislature.

On November 5, 1996, Eileen was re-elected to the Assembly, but died three days later, in Beth Israel Medical Center in Manhattan, of breast cancer-Eileen was 53 years old-and force of nature that ensured Female Members had a Powder Room installed in the Capitol. I remember a number of war Stories Eileen shared with me; one that rings today was her personal plight to remind the Leadership that Women didn't have a rest facility near the Chamber. 100 years later-we, the women of the NYS Legislature-are still pushing forward ensuring that our Members receive accolades for Job Performances and to encourage Fairness and Equality of Wages within the NYS Legislature for Staffers-who made and make these Women Leaders stand a part from others, said Maryann Maltese.

The Eileen C. Dugan Boulevard, in Brooklyn, was named in 1999 in her honor. Eileen loved Smith Street, called it the Step-child that needed a constant face-lift-and our District office's presence there was the source of light within the community. Eileen enjoyed Halloween; I do too-bringing us together not only Boss and Staff-but sharing our mutual vision on what the priorities are for the district she represented. On top of Eileens love for Brooklyn-Eileen, Chaired the 3rd Strongest Committee in NYS Assembly-Economic Development Corporation-and used her streetwise attitude to get things done while treating for Aggressive Cancer. She never permitted cancer to slow her down-and love for community was always around us in her presence-she is missed.

Eileen's Legacy lives within each of us-who hear the calling-to represent our Communities in the best way, said Maryann Maltese. Eileen stood for Women's Equality and she always ensured that Staffers who performed job performances received increases in salary-but somewhere along the way-Tier 3 and Tier 4 Female Staffers have not received due financial compensation prior to signing work contracts and afterwards. Governor Andrew Cuomo-once elected to the Governor's Office has slashed Governmental Employee Benefits and less opportunity to receive annual increases. Cuomo eliminated staffers rights to receive College tuition reimbursements, reimbursement if traveling with Members to and from Albany-expecting Staffers to dig into their own pockets to cover travel expenses without receiving Annual raises and providing mediocre Employment Contracts, said Maltese. Female Staffers within NYS Legislature have on average-received salaries paying between 50-60% less then Male Staffers with Same titles-and/or Duties required and performed-if not more so under Cuomo Administration. I have been out of State Public service since 2013-but can matriculate at any time as I'm in great standing professionally and not receiving a State Pension or any form of severance for my years of service yet, as I'm not old enough too-thank goodness! That is something to celebrate-but I understand from my years as a Staffer and Policy Maker the importance going forward to streamline salaries to ensure that equality exists and that Female Employees active or inactive service status' receive review and due compensation where warranted. Eileen would agree with this measure-and be diligent in her approach every second-especially this year-the 100th Anniversary of the Women's Movement-whereas Eileen was a decision maker and Staffers like me grabbed on to her teachings and we keep it alive, said Maryann.

Between Eileen's 20 years as the Elected and my 30 years of Staff or Campaign Management Service = 50 years of the 100 years that WOMEN HAVE THE RIGHT TO VOTE AND THE RIGHT TO BECOME ELECTED LEADERS. That's why I have not conceded to the Judicial's absurd decisions not granting me a hearing on Election Law Matter as One of them (A Public Legislative Servant) brings us right back to 100 years ago (when Women Members didn't have a Powder Room in the Capitol)-and not being granted a Hearing of the Matter is a huge smack in the face to Me and the Women of Process, said Maryann Maltese.

If I had stepped back and said-"Oh-I'll let this go as in not Challenging my peers who Presently sit as Leaders"; it would be injustice to the women before me and the women rising up within the next generation of female Policy Makers, said Maltese. This is why two things should happen this year-2020.

1) Fairness in Wage Bill (Maltese bill) for tenured staffers inactive, active with correlating bill Languages should be enacted immediately.

2) Election Law Hearing (Virtually or in person) concerning a significant Complaint I have brought forward should be granted to me for reasons I mentioned above.

As Women in the other sectors go forward and celebrate our accomplishments this month-I toast you-Cheers; many other wonderful things have occurred within the District (Northport Historical Society with their amazing tribute to Long Island women) and outside of of our district (Shirley Chisholm State Park) Shirley was a former US Congressional Member and Vice Presidential Candidate. This NYS Park is a celebration of Shirley's Life-but it also represents the Political Achievements of Women, that we have a place where our artifacts-as State or National Policy Makers-like a time capsule- might also be included down the line, said Maltese.

Additionally, Check out, Brooklyn Piers and Waterfront through DUMBO to see how the late Eileen C. Dugan and her crew's vision became implemented into reality, the final product a combination of Economic Development, Premier usage of Parklands for enjoyment surrounded by residences, said Maltese. The Brooklyn Waterfront Project is something to be celebrated and cherished.

Maryann Maltese, has an accomplished record of successes inside NYS Legislature and Outside NYS Legislature. Maryann is the right choice for the District-NYS Assembly 12th AD. To get involved in her Election Law Court Challenge-maryannmaltesefornysassembly@gmail.com. Together-we do amazing things.