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Working Families Party Endorses Mayor Brown

For Immediate Release

June 6, 2009

WORKING FAMILIES PARTY ENDORSES MAYOR BROWN FOR RE-ELECTION

Mayor Continues to Gain Support and Momentum in Re-Election Bid

BUFFALO – Mayor Byron W. Brown today announced that he has received the endorsement of the Western New York Chapter of the Working Families Party for his re-election as Mayor of Buffalo, which he also received in 2005 when he was first elected Mayor in historic fashion with 64% of the vote.

“I know the screening committee of the Western New York Chapter of the Working Families Party heard from my opponent and me as they deliberated on who they would recommend for endorsement to the State Executive Committee of the Working Families Party and I am honored that their recommendation of my endorsement for re-election as Mayor of Buffalo was accepted,” said Mayor Brown. “Since taking office I have fought for the working men and women of our city by fulfilling my 2005 campaign pledge to lift the previously state control board-imposed wage freeze for all city employees, which allowed us to increase employees wages, bringing all full-time city employees up to the living wage and negotiated four new union contracts for city employees. I am proud of our accomplishments, including lowering crime, cutting taxes and achieving fiscal stability for our city, but more work remains to be done and I thank the members of the Working Families Party for their confidence in me as I seek a second term as Mayor of Buffalo.”

Under Mayor Brown, the city has reduced the residential and commercial property tax for four consecutive years (12.5% for residential and 14.9% for commercial), created 10,000 summer and winter jobs for city youth, reduced crime by 7%, improved Buffalo’s finances, gaining three consecutive bond upgrades from Wall Street and implemented a 5-year demolition and rehabilitation program removing 5,000 vacant, dilapidated structures and restoring 500 housing units throughout the city.

“Mayor Brown has led the City of Buffalo in the right direction and he has delivered on his 2005 campaign pledge to make city government more effective, reliable and responsive,” said Sam Williams, Chairperson of the WNY Working Families Party. “And he’s achieved his goals while ensuring that the working men and women of the city are treated fairly, earn decent wages and share in the positive momentum the city has made. He deserves another term as Mayor of Buffalo.”

According to its website, “The Working Families Party (WFP) is New York’s liveliest and most progressive political party. Formed by a grassroots coalition of community organizations, neighborhood activists, and labor unions, we came together to build a society that works for all of us, not just the wealthy and well-connected. We fight to hold politicians accountable on the issues working- and middle-class families care about, like good jobs, fair taxes, good schools, reliable public transportation, affordable housing, and universal healthcare.”

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