NY-21: Welcome Tracey Brooks To The Albany Project

Welcome Tracey (0.00 / 0)

Thank you for joining us today and thanks for kicking off your online ad campaign here at The Albany Project. I am looking forward to a great discussion with you tonight.

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 20:54:55 PM UTC

Tracey... (0.00 / 0)

I know that we wrote about this before, but could you state your position on FISA again for the readers of this live blog?

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:03:01 PM UTC

I am opposed to the FISA amendments. (4.00 / 1)

FISA is bad for everyone who believes in our right to privacy and respects the Constitution.

We need to make our government accountable again, to our families, to our communities and to the people.

I join Congressman McNulty and others who strongly oppose the Bush-supported FISA amendments.

Such amendments trample on the Constitution, threaten our civil liberties and violate our privacy rights. FISA is a dangerous step in the wrong direction.

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:16:13 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome, Tracey (4.00 / 3)

Thanks so much for dropping by.

I understand that you are a supporter of a gas tax holiday. Can you tell us why you support such a measure?

Also, what plans do you have to address not only our current energy woes, but also the related issue of global climate change?

Again, thanks so much for joining us.

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:03:02 PM UTC

We finally need real solutions to our real energy problems. (0.00 / 0)

Here in the Capital Region, and New York State, we have many companies and universities addressing these issues. We need the federal government to be a good partner with us in the development of alternative energies and fuels.

Whether we're talking about bio-diesel at SUNY Cobleskill, PV at RPI and SUNY Albany, switch-grass at SUNY Delhi, the development of additional projects in Washington County, or wind energy production at GE in Schenectady County, I have been working on alternative renewable energy projects that will address these issues, as well as, bring much-needed jobs to our region.

The U.S. needs to lead by example in shrinking our carbon footprint, working on conservation, and investing in science and technology for our future.  

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:26:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank you Robert and TAP (0.00 / 0)

I'm on and we're ready to go. I want to thank Robert and The Albany Project for hosting the live blog town hall this evening. We are really excited about using technology tools, like the blogs and social networking sites to reach the voters.

Ok, so what's the first question?

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:10:53 PM UTC

Tracey (0.00 / 0)

See Phillip's comment above and my second comment. I inquired about your FISA position and Phillip inquired about energy/climate change.

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:12:04 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Entergy (0.00 / 0)

Tracy,

Thanks for making yourself available to non-traditional media.

NYS specific question

What are your feelings on the proposed Entergy Nuclear spinoff proposal? (story in 7/21 NYTimes) Will NYer's be left holding the bag on the clean up of these sites?

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by: sledwith06 @ Mon Jul 21, 2008 at 07:25:23 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Questions (0.00 / 0)

Hi Tracey,  
How do I follow along with the questions and answers?
Thank you.

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by: chrismom @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:17:23 PM UTC

Chrismom (0.00 / 0)

In order to keep up-to-the-minute with the questions, please hit refresh on your web browser consistently. That way, you will see the questions as they come in.  

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by: robert.harding @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:18:44 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Welcome, Tracey (4.00 / 2)

Turns out I had a few spare minutes and could come ask a question.  So, my question is: what role do you think the federal government should play in bringing energy from upstate NY (hydro, wind, other) to downstate?  Do you favor eliminating the kind of thing that is happening now with NYRI?

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by: robinia @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:18:04 PM UTC

Well. I have to go (0.00 / 0)

I'm due at my meeting at 5:30.  Will check back later for answer.  Thanks.

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by: robinia @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:37:17 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Failed policies of the past (0.00 / 0)

I believe your first question refers to the energy bill going back to 2005, which authorized FERC to pre-empt a state's decision on citing electric transmission, if it falls within the federal congestion corridor. I believe this is over-reaching, especially in states that have comprehensive citing reviews such as New York's article VII.

For years, we've been promised federal and state energy plans and we still don't have either. In New York, those same politicians talked about renewing article X, which would allow for more power production in the state, closer to where we have higher demands.

Whether we are talking about these power issues, sky-rocketing gas prices, or rising home heating costs, the fact is those in charge have not delivered solutions but have contributed to the problems. And that's why we need change in Washington and why we need to send someone to Congress who puts the people's interests before the profits of big oil companies.

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:41:45 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

ed (4.00 / 1)

Hi Tracey,

i was wondering what your position was on no child left behind and education in general.

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by: albdem621 @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:37:42 PM UTC

We need to end "No child left behind" (0.00 / 0)

"No child left behind" is yet another failed Bush policy. What started as an unfunded mandate has ended in an utter failure to address the real issues in our schools.

We need to invest in our children, our teachers, and our schools. Supporting education is not only supporting our children, it's investing in our nation's future.

I support helping our local school districts reduce their class sizes and pay for school repairs and construction.

Teachers should be paid a professional wage so that we can retain our qualified and passionate teachers.

I have worked with a wonderful school here in the Capital Region - the Tech Valley High School. This is a BOCES program and project-based learning model. There are only 36 schools like it in the country and this is the only one in the northeast.

We are addressing students alternative learning needs, while  cultivating their interest in science, technology and math.
We can replicate this model, working hand-in-hand with public school districts, as we prepare our kids for the future technology jobs we're working to bring to the region.  

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 22:01:31 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Health care (4.00 / 2)

As a young woman looking at my future, I'm terrified that I won't ever be able to move out of my parents' house, because I won't be able to afford the medications I take with my starting salary and expensive copays. Can you explain your ideas on affordable/free health care? I don't want to live with my mom forever!

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by: Bartlet4President @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:39:11 PM UTC

I will fight for health care coverage for all! (4.00 / 1)

I understand your question very well. As I knock on doors and make calls to people around the district, I hear so many stories just like yours.

Did you know that 47 million Americans don't have health insurance at all?  That's more than twice the entire population of New York state. Those of us lucky enough to have health insurance are facing skyrocketing costs and co-pays.

Every American should have the same quality, affordable health care that Members of Congress get.

I will go to Washington to fight for health care coverage for you and for everyone in the United States. I support bills like H.R. 676 that accomplish that goal.

We must also begin to think outside of conventional health care solutions to solve America?s health care crisis.

Again, I support an approach that would guarantee affordable health coverage for every American. As we strive towards that goal, we should also look at immediate interim steps that will ensure and expedite health care coverage for every American.

Great question.  

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 21:49:32 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Women's issues (0.00 / 0)

I'm also wondering about women's issues. I know your views on choice, but what about things like domestic violence? I know right now in some places domestic violence can only be prosecuted if the couple is married. Also, I heard America is one of only two industrialized countries that doesn't have mandatory paid maternity leave. And we don't have government-subsidized childcare. Do you have any thoughts on those things?

Thanks!

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by: Bartlet4President @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 22:16:52 PM UTC

And of course (0.00 / 0)

Pay equity, also.

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by: Bartlet4President @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 22:17:20 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In Congress, I will fight to protect reproductive rights and for pay equity. (0.00 / 0)

Ok, one more on the way out the door.

As you might know, I have been an outspoken voice for a woman's right to choose and believe government and politicians should stay out of this difficult and personal decision.

While the Supreme Court is moving toward outlawing abortion, and many state legislatures are trying to do the same, I will fight against such measures and actions.

I will fight to fully fund health care for children and pregnant women through S-CHIP.

On pay equity, there's no excuse why equal work does not result in equal pay. That's why I was proud to stand with the Capital District Area Labor Federation, the New York State Pay Equity Coalition, Gloria Steinem and others who believe women should not still be paid 77 percent of what men make in the same jobs.

Thanks for the question.  

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 22:30:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank you Robert and TAP (0.00 / 0)

Thank you so much to everyone who blogged in and participated in this important exchange of ideas. This was great. I'm off to walk door-to-door for a few hours.

So let me conclude with why I'm running for Congress.

I'm running for Congress to undo the damage done by George Bush and stand up to the Republicans in Washington, to take on the special interests who stand in the way of change, and to make our government accountable again to our families, to our communities, to the people.

I believe it's time to bring our troops home from Iraq and end this war now.

It's time to take the $12 billion a month -- $5,000 dollars a second -- we're spending in Iraq and invest it here at home in our schools and in helping working families, in developing renewable energy and ending our dependence on foreign oil, in health care for all Americans and in providing affordable prescription drugs for seniors.

People in the Capital Region, and across this nation, are hungry for change. They're tired of the same old talk from the same old politicians and they're looking for new leadership who will bring about real and meaningful change.

A vote for me this September in the Democratic primary, and then again in November's general election, is a vote for real change.

Thanks again. I had fun.

PS: Keep up the good work Robert and TAP. Your continued role and helping candidates communicate directly to the voters is a growing and important one.  

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by: TraceyBrooks @ Wed Jul 16, 2008 at 22:20:20 PM UTC