CCDC Issues Committee
The Issues Committee monitors the activities of town and county government, tracks issues within the towns and the County, and develops reports for the CCDC with information and research that allows for meaningful discussion of issues and recommendations for actions. (See individual Working Groups for recent reports.)
The Issues Committee meets on the second Saturday of every month at 10 AM, via Zoom. Any Democrat registered to vote in Columbia County is eligible to become a member of the Issues Committee or to attend a meeting. If interested, contact a Chair:
Carl Atkins, co-chair
Michael Richardson, co-chair
Working Groups
Social Justice
Chair: Joyce Thompson
The Social Justice working group seeks to identify and work toward eradicating systemic social inequalities in Columbia County. The working group will propose and advocate for governmental action to achieve racial and economic fairness, to eliminate bias in a measurable way, and to improve the quality of life for County residents. The group will research issues, develop reports and forward recommendations to inform healthy public discussion and promote implementation of recommended actions. The group meets on the first Saturday of every month at 10 AM via Zoom.
Women's Reproductive Health
Chair: Stephanie Sussman
The Women’s Reproductive Health working group will monitor issues and legislation related to women’s access to reproductive health services and their ability to choose reproductive health services appropriate to their personal needs. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Broadband
Chair: Robert Honeywell
The Broadband working group will monitor issues related to the ability of all residents of the County to obtain fast, affordable, reliable internet services compatible with the current and future business, educational and medical needs of the community. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions. The group meets via weekly phone calls.
Affordable Housing
Chair: Dale Peterson
The Affordable Housing working group will monitor issues related to improve the ability residents of the County to obtain affordable housing consistent with the current and future economic and business needs of the community. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Open Government
Chair: Caitlin Curtin
The Open Government working group will monitor the activities of town and County government and develop issues related to open, transparent government with the goal to making recommendations for improvement throughout the County. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Healthcare
Chair: Carl Atkins
The Healthcare working group will monitor issues related to all aspects of healthcare throughout the County, including universal access to healthcare, mental health, prevention and treatment of substance use disorders, and adequate funding for public health infrastructure. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions. The group meets via ad hoc emails.
Transportation
Chair: [open]
The Transportation working group will monitor issues related to improving public transportation in the County to ensure adequate access to basic needs of residents, including transportation for work, education, and healthcare. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Environment & Climate Action
Chair: Michael Richardson
The Environment and Climate Action working group will monitor issues at the state and local levels related to climate disruption and degradation of the environment; particularly government programs and funding in response to the climate crisis pertaining to mitigation and adaptation. The group will develop reports that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Zero Waste
Chair: Stephanie Sussman
The Zero Waste working group will monitor issues related to recycling and re-use with the aim to creating a zero waste community. The group will develop reports with research that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Countering Disinformation
Chair: Michael Richardson
The Countering Disinformation working group will monitor disinformation and other harmful forms of content directed at public health, civil rights, social justice, and climate disruption. Disinformation campaigns can affect a broad range of human rights undermining responses to public policies or amplifying tensions in times of emergency or conflict. The group will develop reports that will allow for informed discussion of recommended actions.
Issues Committee Reports and Documents
Affordable Housing
IC Housing Task Force Statement - Oct 27, 2022
Anti-Hate/Anti-Violence
Anti-Hate/Anti-Violence Statement - Aug 26, 2021
Broadband
Broadband supplemental report - Mar 12, 2021
Broadband report - Sept 18, 2020
Broadband policy statement - May 23, 2019
Environment/Climate Action
Environmental Rights Amendment support statement - 2021
Healthcare
Opioid report - Jan 05, 2023
Resolution in support of universal healthcare - Aug 26, 2021
Path to universal healthcare - Oct 11, 2020
COVID response assessment - June 13, 2020
Healthcare report - Mar 20, 2020
Open Government
NY Council for Open Government Resolution - Jan 04, 2023
Social Justice
Social Justice Subcomm Resolution on Police Reform - Feb 06, 2023
Pro democracy statement - Aug 25, 2022