Addressing abortion rights in a post-Roe world

07/27/22 • 58 min

On this episode of The Voice, UUP president and host Fred Kowal discusses steps being taken to preserve and guarantee abortion rights in New York state just weeks after the U.S. Supreme Court's June decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. The court's 6-3 ruling nullified the landmark Roe v. Wade decision of 1973, which recognized abortion as a constitutional right.
On the show, Kowal speaks with state Sen. Cordell Cleare and state Assemblymember Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, prime sponsors of the Reproductive Freedom and Equity Program. If approved, the bill would set aside $50 million to fund grants to help women access safe abortion services—including women traveling to New York from states where abortions are illegal.
Cleare is also sponsoring a bill that would require SUNY to offer abortion services at all of its campuses.
Kowal also speaks with Alissa Karl, UUP's statewide vice president for academics, and the liaison to UUP’s Women’s Rights and Concerns Committee.

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A conversation with AFT President Randi Weingarten

From gun safety reform and protecting students and teachers in the classroom to women’s reproductive rights, public health care, and the environment, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten speaks truth to power. She doesn't pull punches and isn't afraid to say what needs to be said on these and other important topics.
On this episode of The Voice, Randi offers some pointed opinions as she shares her thoughts with host--and UUP President--Fred Kowal on the U.S. Supreme Court's recent ruling that struck down Roe v. Wade and nullified the constitutional right that provided access to a safe abortion in the U.S.
She also discusses gun violence and the need for more gun safety laws; President Joe Biden's low poll numbers; the impact of recent decisions by the Supreme Court; and the absolute necessity for listeners to vote in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections.

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Environmental justice, electric cars and a greener SUNY

From finding new homes for desks and other surplus items at SUNY to electric cars, New York’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and the federal Inflation Reduction Act, this episode of The Voice podcast is fully focused on the environment.

Host Fred Kowal discusses the landmark Inflation Reduction Act and the positive impact it can have on the environment and how it advances environmental justice for low-income areas, communities of color and Tribal communities.

Kowal also talks about the CLCPA and where the process to implement New York’s sweeping environmental protection stands. And there’s conversation about several state bills being pushed by UUP to make SUNY greener and a green energy leader.

Kowal speaks with Sue Fassler, director of sustainable operations at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry. Fassler is a UUP member who co-chairs UUP’s statewide Environmental Issues and Advocacy Committee.

He also speaks with Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of Environmental Advocates NY. Iwanowicz has served as acting commissioner of the state Department of Environmental Conservation and deputy secretary for the environment. He was the first director of the New York State Office of Climate Change.

The Voice Podcast - Addressing abortion rights in a post-Roe world

Transcript

The Voice Podcast Episode 4: Addressing abortion rights in a post-Roe world

Hello, I'm Fred Kowal president of United university professions. And this is the voice The voice podcast is a production of United university professions. The nation's largest higher education union representing more than 42,000 academic and professional faculty in retirees at state operated, SUNY campuses and public teaching hospitals in Brooklyn, Stony Brook and Syracuse. I'm Mike Lacey.

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