John Liu
Citing John Liu’s proven track record of fighting for progressive change, New York Communities for Change, a grassroots activist group that fights for workplace justice, an equitable public school system, and affordable housing, endorsed progressive Democrat John Liu’s campaign to bring Democratic leadership back to Senate District 11.
“John Liu is the leader that we need fighting for the issues that matter in Albany,” said New York Communities for Change Organizing Director Jonathan Westin. “Tony Avella and the IDC have allowed the Republicans to stand in the way of real reforms, like local wage authorities that allow cities to set minimum wage levels based on the needs of their citizens. In the meantime, the Senate status quo perpetuates an inequitable school system. It’s time for a change in Albany and John Liu is the progressive Democrat who will make living wages, affordable housing, and quality education a reality for all of New York. NYCC and its members will put our full support behind John to make sure he’s the next Democratic Senator in District 11.”
“It’s an honor to be endorsed by New York Communities for Change, whose members work tirelessly to make New York a better place to live and work,” said John Liu. “When I get to Albany, I’ll make sure their hard work doesn’t go to waste. The Democratic values that served me as City Councilmember and as New York City Comptroller will come with me to Albany, where I’ll never back down from Republican challenges to passing meaningful, progressive reforms.”
The NYCC endorsement follows this week’s endorsement by tenants’ rights organization Tenants PAC. The Liu campaign has also been endorsed by numerous major New York City labor unions, including UFCW Local 1500, which represents 23,000 grocery store workers; the New York City Coalition of Operating Engineers, which represents 18,000 crane and heavy equipment operators Locals 14 and 15; stationary engineers Locals 30 and 94; school custodians Local 891; and New York City building inspectors Local 211. Liu also earned the coveted endorsement of the New York Hotel and Motel Trades Council, AFL-CIO (HTC) that boasts 50,000-plus workers and retirees, and is known for its highly sophisticated political operation.
New York Communities for Change (NYCC) is a coalition of working families in low and moderate income communities fighting for social and economic justice throughout New York State. By using direct action, legislative advocacy, and community organizing, NY Communities’ members work to impact the political and economic policies that directly affect their members.
The 43rd Comptroller of New York City, John Liu established an impressive record as the chief financial officer for 8.4 million residents and overseeing municipal government with an annual budget of $70 billion. John saved taxpayers $5 billion through rigorous audits of City agencies, detailed scrutiny of contracts with private companies, and refinancing of $20 billion of outstanding City bond debt.
During his four-year term of office, he achieved an enviable total investment return, increasing the City’s pension asset portfolio to $150 billion. John created the nationally acclaimed online application “CheckbookNYC.com” providing unprecedented transparency in government spending. He facilitated economic development and new job creation with acceleration of City capital projects, capturing low interest rates in the bond markets.
An early and staunch opponent of stop-and-frisk tactics, Liu highlighted the risks to communities and taxpayers alike due to damaged police-community relations. Liu presented daily-updated M/WBE Report Cards for City agencies to monitor and encourage greater government contracting opportunities for minority entrepreneurs. John also proposed sound economic policies to create real economic growth and narrow the ever-widening wealth gap, protected wage standards and recouped back wages and fines on behalf of cheated workers from contractors who just don’t want to play by the rules, and exposed the billions of dollars in publicly-subsidized corporate welfare doled out by the City that failed to deliver on promised new jobs and fair housing.
As a member of the New York City Council, Liu represented his hometown of Flushing and northeast Queens. He secured millions of dollars in additional funding for schools, libraries, parks, senior citizen centers, and youth programs. He served as chairperson of the Council’s Transportation Committee overseeing operations of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Department of Transportation, and Taxi and Limousine Commission, and enacted legislation boosting efficiency and efficacy of key City agencies.
Liu exposed financial irregularities at the MTA, enacting legislation like the Equal Access Bill mandating on-demand language services in health and human services agencies, the School Zone Engine Idling Bill limiting engine idling near schools, and the Dignity for All Schools Act requiring the Department of Education to track bullying and harassment in schools.
Liu’s historic elections – as the first Asian American to win legislative office in New York and the first to win citywide office – were milestones for Asian Americans in New York and across the nation. Although he wishes Asian Americans had been elected long before, John is honored to be the first and embraces the opportunity to broaden representation and public service.
Liu emigrated from Taiwan at the age of five. He was educated in New York public schools, including Hunter College High School, Bronx High School of Science, and Binghamton University, attaining his degree in Mathematical Physics. John lives in Flushing with his wife Jenny and their son Joey.
