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Equity Lobbies on Arts Advocacy Day

Eastern Regional Director Carol Waaser and Councillor and Legislative Committee Co-Chair Marjorie Horne joined SAG's Nancy Fox and AFTRA's Tom Carpenter in Albany on March 6, 2007 for State Arts Advocacy Day.

The Equity representatives met with Richard Gottfried, New York State Assemblyman representing Chelsea, Clinton, Murray Hill, Midtown and part of the Lincoln Center area, to talk about health issues, including reauthorization of the COBRA Continuation Bill. They spoke with Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who now represents the Upper West Side of Manhattan, about the need for another Manhattan Plaza. They also discussed affordable housing with State Senator Malcolm Smith's Legislative Director (Smith represents Queens and is Senate Minority Leader) and with Assembly Member Vito Lopez, Chair of the Housing Committee.

Meetings with Senators Joseph Robach (Rochester) and William Stachowski (Buffalo) rounded out a busy day.

"We are also discussing anti-piracy legislation and will make sure the bills include live theatre, not just film and recordings," reported Ms. Waaser.