Please Welcome Didi Barrett, State Senate Candidate in the 41st District

Hello, DIdi.... (0.00 / 0)

Let me ask you the first question...

Why on earth did you decide to do this? Not to say that I'm not grateful.


We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:02:15 PM UTC

Why on earth... (4.00 / 1)

Hi Brian,

Thank you for the opportunity to be here.

We are in a moment of crisis in this state. We all have to do our part to change the dysfunction in Albany. I believe that this is a moment in time where I can make that difference.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:06:52 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for being with us. (4.00 / 1)

I want to point everyone's attention to the ActBlue link. It may take a bit of time for the thermometer to refresh.

Please announce you donations here. I just tossed in a $50 spot to prime the pump.

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:14:40 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Every bit counts (0.00 / 0)

I threw down $10.  Not much, but every bit matters.  Best of luck to Didi and the campaign.

I work for the New York Senate Dems

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by: Michael Connery @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:21:35 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank you... (0.00 / 0)

Thank you both for your support - I can't do this without your help!

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:30:11 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thanks for stopping by, Didi (0.00 / 0)

I was wondering if you had any ideas to fix New York's structural deficit?

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by: Roatti @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:09:42 PM UTC

Or your thoughts on municipal consolidation? (0.00 / 0)

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by: Roatti @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:29:09 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Municipal consolidation (4.00 / 1)

I think that there are definitely savings in municipal consolidation. For example, one town in the district has three municipalities, three village or town boards, and at least four highway garages - all for just over 10,000 people.

That said, I'm not convinced that this is enough to create the savings we need to fully repair our fiscal situation, but it's worth studying as one step in the right direction.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:35:38 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I remember that situation.... (0.00 / 0)

...from 2006 with Rhinebeck and the Town of Rhinebeck.

Redundancy all over the place. That said, there is a move to consolidate agencies in New York. Good idea?

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:38:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

In principle (0.00 / 0)

Absolutely a good idea in principle.

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:44:28 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Deficit (4.00 / 1)

New York State is facing an unprecedented fiscal crisis - and this is the time for making difficult choices that bring real solutions, not just bandaids and short-term fixes that paper over the problem.

The tax system in New York State needs a major overhaul. Clearly there is waste in government.

My background in the not-for-profit sector has taught me how to think creatively, look for outside the box solutions, and yes, stretch a dollar as far as possible. You're always trying to figure out where the next dollar is coming from. I bring that skill set, which is something that a traditional politician doesn't necessarily have.

We need to go back to square one in preparing budgets, not just add on to the mistakes of the past.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:29:23 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi Didi - Reform Question (4.00 / 1)

Hi Didi, two questions.

First, what are the reforms that you think are most necessary to fix Albany?

Second, If you are elected and Democrats retain the majority, what's your first order of business?

I work for the New York Senate Dems

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by: Michael Connery @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:10:10 PM UTC

Reform & Jobs (4.00 / 1)

Thank you Michael,

As I researched running, one of the first groups I reached out to for information was the Brennan Center, which for years has been a leading voice for reform in Albany. Since their 2004 report, there have been some efforts at reform, but we have yet to successfully implement the complete overhaul Albany needs.  The Brennan Center ranks New York State's government at the bottom of their list. This is definitely not a grade the Empire State can be proud of. Their report is an excellent blueprint for starting the process of cleaning up Albany.

When I'm elected, there will be a great deal of important work to do - but jobs have to be the number one priority. 15,000 people in the district are unemployed and many more are underemployed. There are real opportunities for sustainable growth in renewable energy, the agriculture economy, and cultural tourism that protect our environment and tap into the best of our region's assets. This kind of green business is already setting down roots in the Hudson Valley, like Aerocity in Columbia County, Wild Hive Farms in Clinton Corners, and Spectrawatt in East Fishkill.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:16:53 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

any comment? (0.00 / 0)

Do you ave any comment on the news related to Pedro Espada?

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by: jmcbride @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:11:08 PM UTC

Pedro Espada (4.00 / 1)

Public service is an honor and a responsibility, and our legislators should be held to a higher standard. Betraying the public trust, as Joe Bruno has been found guilty of, and as Pedro Espada has been accused of, is inexcusable. Unlike the incumbent, this is not the kind of leadership that I would ever have supported.
-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:19:10 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Just to remind everyone... (0.00 / 0)

This photo was taken on June 8, 2009...and what you see here is Senator Steve Saland giving Pedro Espada a standing ovation for being "sworn in" as President of the Senate by Senator DeFrancisco. Standing next to him is Senator Dean Skelos who was "sworn in" as Majority Leader.

This event cause the coup and almost two months of total government grid lock.

We can do better with Didi.

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:11:51 PM UTC

What would you do to help the NYS economy? (0.00 / 0)

We have a difficult situation in NY. Taxes are high, but we need to prime the economic engine.

What would you propose to help get us back on track?

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:22:20 PM UTC

Carrot and stick (4.00 / 1)

It's time to employ the carrot and stick approach: Incentives to attract and expand local business, as well as accountability that good jobs will be created right here when taxpayer funds are involved.

We also need to support and encourage young entrepreneurs. Small businesses are the engine of our local economy, and historically, agriculture has been an important piece of this in the Hudson Valley. For example, there are young people who are seeking to carry-on the tradition of farming in the Hudson Valley, but cannot afford to buy land outright at the current prices. We should be providing a way for them to secure long-term leases on land, with an option to buy down the road, when they cannot afford to purchase land outright.

And if this is going to be a state that attracts business, we need to address runaway property taxes, not by short-term bandaids, but by creating a tax structure that is fair to seniors and working families, and welcoming to small businesses.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:53:36 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi, Didi (4.00 / 2)

It's so awesome that you are stopping by here.

This has been bothering me all day. Last night the Senate narrowly passed a bill (this one) that makes it illegal to spray toxic pesticides on playgrounds and schoolyards.

1. It's crazy that this law even had to be drafted in the first place. Why isn't it already illegal to spray poison where our children play?

2. Twenty two members, all Republicans, including (ahem) Steve Saland, voted against it! Why on earth would anyone think it should be OK to continue to do this?

What do you think of Senator Saland's vote and would you have voted differently?

I'm not gonna rock the boat. Rockin' the boat's a drag. What you do is sink the boat!
- Truth and Soul, Inc.

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by: Putney Swope @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:25:58 PM UTC

Health of our children (4.00 / 3)

I haven't read the full text of the bill, but I have read about it. As a mother, I believe that our children are our most precious resources, and it's outrageous to put their health at risk, especially in a school environment, which should be a place of safety.

In this region, we are still suffering the consequences of previous spraying, MTBE in the water, and pollution from industrial sites (such as Hopewell Precision in East Fishkill).

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:39:15 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I live less than a mile away from Precision in East Fishkill... (0.00 / 0)

Luckily for me, I live upstream of the plume, but in my home town, hundreds of families can't use their well water and the EPA is having a hell of a time figuring out what to do about it.

Steve Saland is against mandating a $175 well test whenever homes change hands so that we can keep track of any ground water pollution. With so many NYers using wells, it would seem like a no brainer...but Saland has proven time and again, he lacks brains.

/rant

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:44:02 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Couple of questions TAP readers would be interested in... (0.00 / 0)

1. Marriage Equality - Steve Saland voted against equal rights for all New Yorkers. How would you vote?

2.  With the Supreme court act more and more strangely,limitations on a woman's right to choose, might be whittled away. State legislatures will be more and more important in protecting those rights. Where are you on the choice matter.

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:30:28 PM UTC

Marriage & Choice (4.00 / 3)

This country was founded on the principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. There are fewer happier occasions than a marriage. This right should not be denied to any citizen in this state. I absolutely would have voted in favor of marriage equality.

I've spent my adult life fighting for reproductive rights and justice. I was a board member of Planned Parenthood and NARAL-NY for a combined two decades, and will continue to support a women's right to control her own body.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:42:43 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

I just added Didi's photo ... (0.00 / 0)

...so you know what the candidate looks like.


We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:36:14 PM UTC

Thanks so much for joining us, Didi (0.00 / 0)

It's an honor to have you here.

TODAY is day one. It always is.

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by: phillip anderson @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:38:51 PM UTC

Grassroots (4.00 / 1)

Phillip,

Thank you for having me. This campaign has been about dialogue - that's why we started the process with our Living Room Listening Tour, where I spoke to voters all over the district in their homes, places of work, and communities. I think of this as our first online Listening Tour event!

The Listening Tour was the first step in this grassroots campaign. But even a grassroots campaign needs the resources to get our message out there, and unfortunately, this is very expensive. So until we pass real campaign finance reform, we will need your financial support - so please click the ActBlue thermometer above to donate!

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:58:39 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Hi Didi (4.00 / 2)

and welcome to blogdom.

Question: one of the issues that seems to come up here periodically is the gap, economic, structural, otherwise, between Upstate and Downstate.

How would you describe that, and what do you think you as a Senator could do about it?

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by: Michael Bouldin @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:43:53 PM UTC

Working together (4.00 / 3)

The time for those divisions is behind us. I think that it will be very interesting to be a Democratic Senator from Upstate, and it's a real opportunity to bring our viewpoint to the Democratic conference.

Just as there is no place for partisan politics, there is no place for a politics of geographic division. All too often, legislators have used this as an excuse for inaction.

I work as a collaborative person, and believe in building productive relationships,and that is a skillset that is sorely needed in Albany right now.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:49:41 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

That's a great point. (0.00 / 0)

I've been a big fan of Senator Gillibrand in part because of the fact that she's the only major Elected from that part of the state (I'm in Brooklyn, but I think it's important).

What would you learn from the Senator's experience, do you think?

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by: Michael Bouldin @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:53:27 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Transparency & openness (4.00 / 3)

I think that Senator Gillibrand is a remarkably hard worker - I admire the energy she has brought to public service, and she is a personal friend.

Her communication with constituents, and the transparency and openness that she brought to her office, are things I would emulate.

I live in her original Congressional district (NY-20), and it largely overlaps with the State Senate district in which I am running. Her success here is an inspiration and a model for us to follow.

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 00:05:44 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

Excellent. (0.00 / 0)

Best of luck to you :-)

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by: Michael Bouldin @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 00:25:09 AM UTC

[ Parent ]

It's 7:45..... (0.00 / 0)

Didi, would it be okay to stay online for another 15 minutes so we can get to a few more questions?


We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:46:43 PM UTC

Absolutely (0.00 / 0)

My pleasure!

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Wed Apr 21, 2010 at 23:50:07 PM UTC

[ Parent ]

Thank you (4.00 / 1)

Thank you very much for having me here this evening. I've enjoyed our dialogue, and feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions or thoughts - Didi@DidiForSenate.com.

These times are too important to sit on the sidelines - we need your involvement if we're going to make Albany work for the people, not the politicians. Please click the link above to contribute, or visit our website to learn more about the campaign - www.DidiForSenate.com

-Didi

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by: DidiForSenate @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 00:14:47 AM UTC

Thanks, Didi. (0.00 / 0)

Good luck with the campaign.

We've got some work ahead of us.

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by: NYBri @ Thu Apr 22, 2010 at 00:19:33 AM UTC

[ Parent ]