Date: Fri, 10 Feb 1995 14:59:02 -0500 (EST) From: David Casti Subject: ACTION ALERT: NY Senate Leader's Bigotry Submitted by: BeltaneLor@aol.com Republican State Senate majority leader Joseph Bruno announced that he will not extend state domestic partner benefits to appointed senate employees. This does not have any effect on domestic partnership entitlements for state civil service employees. Governor George Pataki did NOT join Bruno in applying this same discrimination against his own appointed employees; the governor, instead, responded that in his department, appointed employees would receive the same benefits coverage as civil service employees. At first Bruno stated that the move was purely an economic consideration. When questioned further he added that he didn't think the taxpayers should "subsidize an abnormal lifestyle" (this from a man who charges taxpayers to "subsidize" substantial payments to him for a shorter commute than many people in his district make to their own jobs). Response in Bruno's own home district has been far from supportive of this bigoted statement. The "Bruno Under Fire " column of the Febraury 8 edition of "The Saratogian" asked the following: " Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno called homosexuality an 'abnormal lifestyle', as he denied health insurance to gay senate workers' partners. Do you agree with him or not?" ALL four persons (two elders , a woman of color, and a generation X male) disagreed without qualification, and these people have their photos and towns of residence printed with their statements. You can voice your objection to the senator's statement by writing, telephoning, or e-mailing him at: Joseph L. Bruno Rm 330 Capital Bldg Albany, NY 12247 (518) 455-3191 bruno@senate.state.ny.us residence: RD#3 Bulson Rd, Troy, NY 12180 (518) 455-2208 You may also contact your own state senator to object to the statement of the majority leader. Most state senators receive mail at: Legislative Office Bldg, Albany, NY 12247. (Some are at the Capital Building.) To reach your senator by telephone, call (518) 455-2800 (You can get your senator's exact address at this number, too.), or telephone the home district office. If your representative is Republican, you may wish to call for Bruno's removal from the majority leader position if he fails to issue a timely public apology.