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How To Win Over At Least Some Rural Voters - A NYS Example! [1]

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Date: 2022-12-20

Rural Voter Stereotype!

Before I get to the “how” example, let me touch on the “why” question.

Because we need at least some of them to win elections. I know there are some hard core Rural MAGA Voters who will always believe the rich Republican’s con job, as pictured above. That said, not all rural voters are that far gone, and we only need a few (around 20%) to win a lot of House Districts and statewide races. So, yes it’s worth trying to win some over.

Now on to the how, and a great recent example from my home State of New York.

Per Spectrum Local News:

Volunteer first responders in New York will be eligible for a new local government-provided tax credit under a measure signed this month by Gov. Kathy Hochul. The bill, sponsored by Democratic Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski and state Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, will offer a tax credit to volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members. Local governments can adopt a local law that would exempt up to 10% of assessed value for a primary home for volunteer first responders. “This is a big win that will be celebrated by volunteer first responders especially when they are able to enjoy the savings on their property tax bill," Reichlin-Melnick said. "Volunteer first responders have served Rockland for more than a century and a half, and we must do everything we can to support those who serve today and provide tools to ensure the sustainability of volunteer companies for the future.” State lawmakers, local government officials and volunteer organizations have pointed to the need to expand their ranks in the first responder organizations around New York. The hope is the tax credit offered by local governments could provide a boost to the organizations. “The volunteer first responders who serve our community work hard every day to keep our communities safe, and this law will demonstrate our appreciation for their work," Zebrowski said. "It is also imperative that we work to ensure that our volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps are able to effectively retain and recruit members. This law will go a long way towards ensuring that."

So what does this have to do with winning over the rural voter?

Simple! Many rural areas are provided emergency service through Volunteer Firefighters and volunteer EMS Responders. That means that many of the voters who live in these rural areas are Volunteer Firefighters and/or volunteer EMS Responders. As a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT myself, I know I certainly appreciate this tax credit, as do virtually all my fellow rural volunteers who I’ve spoken to.

Beyond helping existing volunteers, this legislation is intended to encourage people to become volunteer firefighters or EMS providers, at a time when such volunteers are in extremely short supply, especially in rural areas. This also helps to win over voters in rural areas where such volunteer services are essential.

Yes, it is true that many rural folks vote for Republicans because they have bought into the GOP lie that Democrats only help the poor urban folks at the expense of working class rural folks (and, yes there is always a racial component to it). But a Bill like the one above passed by a Democratically controlled legislature and signed by a Democratic Governor, directly counters that narrative, since urban areas have paid EMS/firefighters and don’t need volunteers.

In the end, how much this will help NY Democrats win over rural voters will depend on how well Democrats can toot their own horn, something we haven’t been that good at for reasons unknown. But Bills like this that are targeted to help rural & suburban areas are just the ticket to win over fence sitting rural voters. Hopefully, we can duplicate Bills like this in other States.

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[1] Url: https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/12/20/2142969/-How-To-Win-Over-At-Least-Some-Rural-Voters-A-NYS-Example

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