James Skoufis

Huge thanks to @democrats.org Chairman @kenmartin.bsky.social for naming me to the DNC’s Executive Committee as an At-Large Member.

This DNC is laser-focused on organizing against Trump’s authoritarianism as well as rebuilding our party’s big tent. Honored to be on Chair Martin’s team.

Happy Mother’s Day to Ava’s amazing mom and all the other mom’s out there!

In MN this weekend with @youngdems.bsky.social, getting to work in support of the DNC’s vision to return our party to dominance with a populist, working-class outlook.

Some DNC news via @adamwren.bsky.social at @politico.com. Very grateful to @kenmartin.bsky.social for appointing me to the DNC’s People’s Cabinet.

The only thing dropping faster than Donald Trump’s approval ratings is Tesla’s stock.

People are waking up and we will hold this administration accountable every day. We won’t bend the knee to a king in this country.

750+ people showed up in the small Village of Warwick because we all deeply believe in what Benjamin Franklin said in 1787 at the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention: America would be a republic. If we could keep it.

We will never bend a knee to a king. Or wannabe king.

Eid Mubarak to all those who celebrate! May this day bring harmony, peace, and joy.

Let’s talk about the affordability in the Senate’s proposed budget. From toll relief, to senior support, to school funding, it just makes sense to invest in New York.

✅ $30 million in a new incentive to develop additional senior housing outside New York City.

I’ll be advocating for these items and others on behalf of seniors over the next several weeks as we negotiate towards a final state budget.

The state needs to do more to help senior citizens stay in New York. That’s why I pushed so hard for relief in this year’s Senate budget and it shows:

✅ $2.1 billion over three years for senior citizen tax rebate checks.

Join the Committee — Orange County, NY Democratic Committee

It's time to get in the game! Today I’m paying for a texting and digital campaign to fill every single one of them.

Join your committee here: www.ocnydemocrats.org/jointheparty

We can't allow ourselves to ever be out-organized again, and local Democratic committees are where grassroots meets party.

In counties across the nation, huge numbers of Democratic committee seats are vacant. Here in Orange County, only 357 of 670 town Democratic committee seats are filled.

So many folks are asking what they can do to fight back in this moment. Yes, donate to the party if you can. Yes, call your member of Congress.

But, you want to help create the permanent infrastructure to start winning again? LOOK UP AND JOIN your local town or county committee.

This is clearly a normal, rational, non-authoritarian thing a President does…

USDA: Mr. President, we identified a second strain of bird flu.

Trump: 🫣

I urge the Legislature and Governor to include this and other provisions in the budget to claw back - and further reduce - the Chancellor’s outrageous salary and taxpayer-funded perks.

I will soon reintroduce legislation (S.6113 of 2023) requiring approval of any salary plan for chancellors, presidents, and senior staffers of the SUNY and CUNY systems by both legislative chambers and the Division of Budget.

While New Yorkers bust their asses trying to make ends meet in this state - and his own SUNY students work the night shift to afford their bills - the Chancellor feels he should make nearly four times the salary of the state’s governor. This is elitist. This is offensive.

Yet $750K a year wasn’t enough for this government employee who works for the people. $12,500 a month for housing allowance also wasn’t enough. Knowing the shame associated with a $125K pay raise and $2,500 housing allowance increase, King further tried to conceal the pickpocketing from public view.

John King took the job of SUNY Chancellor knowing he was re-entering public service. With that should have come the expectation that he would not earn a millionaire’s salary and perks on the backs of taxpayers.

Yet $750K a year wasn’t enough for this government employee. $12,500 a month for housing allowance also wasn’t enough. Knowing the shame associated with a $12k pay raise and a $2k housing increase, King further tried to conceal the pickpocketing from public view.

Absolutely appalling. Somehow, even more damaging than a wrestling executive leading the agency.

Millions of children will be affected and harmed by this no matter who you voted for.

This is a measure of last resort that I do not advance lightly. I look forward to fighting for the bill’s passage and delivering relief for my overtaxed, under-serviced constituents - enough is enough!

Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson has agreed to carry our legislation in his chamber and we are joined by *every* member of the Orange County delegation: Senator Rolison as well as Assembly Members Eachus, Kay, Brabenec, and Maher.

The Governor and MTA pledged to consider Orange County’s lack of viable rail service during the debate on congestion pricing fees. Yet, no accommodation was made for our drivers who have no public transit alternative. Last year, the Governor even blocked meaningful toll relief on the Tappan Zee.

I’m sick and tired of the broken promises to expand service, sick and tired of being taxed by the MTA on everything short of the oxygen we breath, and sick and tired of a bloated bureaucracy that spends money with completely reckless disregard.

It’s time for Orange County to finally part ways with the MTA. Earlier today, I introduced legislation to withdraw from the MTA that does little more than treat our community like an ATM. 🧵

Congratulations to my good friend, and now our DNC Chair, @kenmartin.bsky.social, on a hard-fought, decisive win! His win is OUR win!

Let’s now unite and work together to ensure Dems come roaring back, compete everywhere, and start WINNING AGAIN.

Please keep the passengers and loved ones of the tragic plane crash in your thoughts. A national tragedy, last night is a stark reminder of how suddenly a normal routine can turn into a horrific event.

Our hearts are heavy throughout America today.