Says he is bucking Republican leadership
Rep. Mike Lawler, whose district includes Philipstown, announced on March 11 that he will hold at least four town halls over the next three months.
In a news release, the second-term Republican said he will meet with constituents in Rockland County in April, in Westchester in May, in Putnam in June and in Dutchess in June.
Dates and times will be released soon, his office said, noting in its release that, although Republican leaders have told House members not to hold town halls because of the negative response over federal cuts being implemented by the Trump administration, Lawler’s schedule shows his “independence and willingness to buck party leadership to engage with his constituents.”
This is not a “schedule.” Schedules include dates, times and locations. Dates, for those who are unaware, include months and specific numbered days. Times identify specific hours and minutes of specific numbered days. Locations must be narrowed down to a specific place within a county, so that people know where to report.
Lawler “announced” this “schedule” to get a headline and a quote that said he announced a town hall schedule even though he has done no such thing. This should not have been published until it included real details for the benefit of the public. It’s shameful to see this publication become part of Lawler’s PR operation.
Mauriello is the director of communications for Assembly Member Dana Levenberg, whose district includes Philipstown.
Last week, I sent Rep. Mike Lawler a petition signed by about 750 people demanding that he conduct his taxpayer-funded district town halls, held in public spaces, in a more open way, so that he must listen to the concerns of his constituents.
During his first term, his town halls were so heavily regulated that the ability of constituents to have a conversation with him was basically nonexistent — even though he would solemnly swear in his introduction that “conversation” was what he wanted. No follow-up questions were allowed, nor were photography and recording of sound or video. Most egregiously, he initially prevented reporters from taking photos or recording the event.
On Sunday (April 27), Lawler will finally hold the first of four promised town halls, this one in Rockland County. But as we all learned in his first term, it isn’t really a “town hall” when it consists almost entirely of longwinded, and typically non-responsive, filibustering by the congressman; when the choice of questioners (controlled by the congressman) is restricted almost entirely to supporters, including Republican elected officials who, unlike ordinary constituents like us, have access to the congressman outside of the town hall; when Lawler dismisses the value of any question that challenges his beliefs as coming from “left-wing media”; and when there is no opportunity to ask follow-up questions.
Will he listen? The experience from his first term has not made me optimistic, but we must continue to demand better. And we will.