If you'll indulge me in a minute's self-promotion: I recently took on a new gig as the editor and lead writer for RochesterPolitics.com, a new startup website covering politics local to the Rochester area and a certain amount of statewide material.
We're launching with an exclusive interview from Congresswoman Louise Slaughter. (Part one and part two.)
The Slaughter interview was conducted by site owner Glenn Gramigna, but we'll soon have another interview, this one with Eric Massa, conducted by myself. If I can get Congressman Maffei's office to return my contacts, I'll try to collect the entire set.
Most of the coverage of RochesterPolitics will eventually focus on local items--city council, assembly, mayoral, etcetera, with a very healthy dose of statewide coverage, all in a more news-based format, and supported by local advertising, out of which a commission goes to keeping me fed, clothed, and equipped with enough gas in my car to see my girlfriend on the weekends.
The Progressive Democrats of America have led the charge calling for a single-payer health care system to be brought to the United States. The legislation that would bring a single-payer system to the U.S. is H.R. 676, also referred to as the United States National Health Care Act or the Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act.
They were joined by Jeff Cohen, a media critic and associate professor of journalism at Ithaca College, where he is also the founding director of the Park Center for Independent Media. Cohen served as the moderator for the forum.
Mimi Kennedy, who serves as PDA's Advisory Board chair, also served on the panel. Kennedy is an actress and has many roles to her credit. Perhaps her best known performance is playing Dharma's mom Abby on the ABC sitcom "Dharma & Greg."
Dr. Theodore Brown also sat on the panel and discussed the history of the health care fight in the United States and how there are similarities with previous fights for improved health care. He is a professor at the University of Rochester.
The focus of the event was clear: How do we achieve a single-payer health care system in this country? The legislation is there. There is strong support for health care reform. All it takes (and that sounds easy, although it isn't) is for Congress to pass legislation (H.R. 676) to achieve the goal of a single-payer system.
Many of those who asked questions wondered when we would get this done and why it hasn't been achieved yet. Melanie Funchess, whose story was told in the Democrat and Chronicle last week, received a standing ovation after telling her story. Melanie's husband was diagnosed with stage four non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in 2000 and given two weeks to live. In the years that have followed, Melanie's family has had to deal with insurance companies (she contributes this to not knowing "prior authorization", which is something insurance companies utilize to grant doctors permission to go ahead with treatment if it is covered) and filed for bankruptcy. Melanie's story was a powerful one and drew a great response for the crowd and gave us several reasons why we need a public (and improved) health care system in this country.
All the panelists had a chance to address the crowd before the question-and-answer part of the program. One of the best cases for single-payer health care came from Congressman Massa, a cancer survivor himself who was diagnosed with terminal cancer and given months to live. He credited the health care system he was a part of - the veterans health care system - for why he was able to receive top-notch medical care in his hour of need.
Whether viewed as brilliant tactician or partisan brawler, Steve Minarik was for decades an unrelenting force in local politics - a kingmaker to some, nemesis to others and the architect of today's Monroe County Republican Party.
Minarik, former county and state GOP chairman, died of a heart attack on Sunday. He was 49. Funeral arrangements have not yet been set.
The news shocked political leaders across the state, and from both sides of the aisle.
"With Steve, you got what you saw," said Assemblyman Joseph Morelle, D-Irondequoit, chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Committee. "He was the same always. He wouldn't back down from a fight. We had animated conversations. But the great thing, he didn't put on airs. He wasn't trying to be anything but himself."
The tough-talking Minarik served as the county GOP chairman from 1992 until last year. He was 32 when he took over the party, the youngest GOP chairman in the county's history. And he led the party to some of its largest victories, taking control of county government and winning races for county executive, sheriff and most town supervisor seats despite Democratic enrollment increases.
He also served as state party chairman from 2004 to 2006, where he faced the uphill battle of finding candidates to run against Democratic gubernatorial candidate Eliot Spitzer and then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton. Republicans lost all statewide offices in 2006.
Our condolences to Mr. Minarik's friends and family.
The New York State Senate held its first stimulus package town hall meeting in Queens on Thursday. Yesterday, another town hall meeting was held on Long Island to educate the public and answer questions regarding the stimulus package and its impact on their locales.
It should be noted that Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith helped host the first two town halls in Queens and Long Island. He will do the same in Rochester on March 26, according to his office.
If you are interested in attending, you can RSVP through Senate Majority Leader Smith's office by calling (212) 298-5585 or by using the form on the Federal Stimulus Package town hall forum website.
Rochester based Eastman Kodak posted miserable earnings numbers today and announced a further round of job cuts. Between 3,500 and 4,500 jobs will be eliminated this year.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - Eastman Kodak Co posted a sharp quarterly loss and said it would cut up to 4,500 jobs this year after suffering a dramatic decline in demand for digital cameras and commercial printing equipment.
The report sent shares of Kodak down 25 percent to a historical low, making the company one of the biggest percentage losers on the New York Stock Exchange on Thursday.
The maker of cameras, picture frames and consumer printers and provider of commercial printing services, also plans another round of restructuring to cut costs, the latest in a string of such moves dating back to at least 2003.
About a year ago, Kodak said it had completed an expensive four-year restructuring that transformed it into a maker of digital photography products and printers. During that restructuring, Kodak halved its workforce, which now stands at about 26,900 people.
...
The Rochester, New York, based company's new restructuring aims at "rationalizing selling, administrative, research and development, supply chain and other business resources in certain areas and consolidating certain facilities." In addition, it will waive wage increases in 2009.
Over at Rochester Turning, there had some consternation about a dearth of Rick Dollinger yard signs. I hope they finally got them and everything, but I really, really like the site of these ones. In a district that Obama is leading McCranky by better than 2-1, it makes me extremely happy to see Obama and Dollinger's name together at every possible opportunity.
The Republican Jewish Coalition, which is launching a campaign against Obama on behalf of Senator John McCain, sponsored the poll to "understand why Barack Obama continues to have a problem among Jewish voters," the group's executive director, Matt Brooks, told Politico. ...
Here's a photo essay for your perusal of today's rally for Jon Powers in Rochester at the Pipefitters Local 13...
(Images are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Images, top to bottom: Powers t-shirt, Jon Powers, Powers with Greece Democrats, Dan McNally instructing the troops, Dave Garretson with map, Joanne Winslow with Bill Powers and Chris Lovell, Judge Paul Riordan.) I hope to upload video from the event either late tonight or tomorrow.
Rochester: On a drizzly Saturday morning at Rochester's Plumbers & Pipefitters Local 13, nearly 100 volunteers and supporters for Jon Powers came out to rally for the endorsed Democrat and Iraq War veteran in his campaign to represent NY-26 in Congress. Among the supporters were several members of the Greece Democrats, including Chairwoman Jo Meleca-Voigt and candidate for the NY State Assembly 134th District, Dave Garretson. Also in attendance were Judge Paul Riordan, who is running for election to NYS Supreme Court Judge in the 7th Judicial District, Tom Hasman, who is running for Monroe County Clerk, Joanne Winslow, who is running for Supreme Court Judge, Monroe County Legislator Paul Haney, and fellow Iraq War veteran Chris Lovell.
(L to R: Patrick Powers, brother of Jon Powers, Chris Lovell, Iraq War Veteran, and Bill Powers, Jon Powers' father and also a veteran who served in the Army stationed in Germany as an LT. Image Courtesy Michael Parks, all rights reserved.)
Lovell was Powers' roommate while they were stationed in Germany and they served in Iraq at the same time, both Captains in the Army. I asked Lovell why he was here today and he said:
I'm here to support Jon. I'm here because I'm proud to see what he's doing. Coming from a similar background due to our experiences in Iraq, I understand his frustrations. We met in an officer training course and were roommates in Germany. We served five years in uniform together. Jon's a leader who will have an impact.
Lovell also wrote a piece for Powers on the candidate's website, which you can read here. Here are excerpts:
Within the unit, Jon was a highly respected leader. As a platoon leader, Jon's men always took top place in certifications and revered as unit capable of completing any mission...
...Captain Powers completed his military career working directly for the Colonel providing advice, counsel, and pulsing the moral of the troops for which he had a tremendous relationship.
Powers then began the rally after a rousing introduction, thanking his numerous and enthusiastic supporters, and then his Monroe County Field Director, Dan McNally, took the stage to wrap it up. Then the volunteers fanned out all over the area canvassing in the final four days of the Get Out The Vote effort.
Governor Howard Dean, the chairman of the Democratic Party, will be in Rochester tomorrow for a reception benefiting NY-29 Democratic candidate Eric Massa and to attend the Monroe County Democratic Committee's designating caucus.
Massa's race with Rep. Randy Kuhl has been declared a toss up by Roll Call and Roll Call has also named Kuhl one of the top ten most vulnerable members of Congress.
Dean will surely be a draw at both events. His work as chairman of the Democratic Party has been nothing short of great and his 50 state strategy has left a mark throughout the country. We saw that strategy at work in Mississippi last night and we have even seen it here in New York, with Massa's race being a prime example. As a party, we now have faith that we can win anywhere. Last night's win in MS-01 proved that. The wins in Louisiana and in Illinois proves that this strategy works.
Dean has led our party to strong victories throughout the country and it is not a coincidence that in 2006, we took back the Congress. Dean played a key role in that and will continue to play a key role in our successes come November.
WHAT: DFA Training Academy WHEN: May 3 and 4, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day WHERE: International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 86, located at 2300 East River Road in Rochester.
There are different pricing levels for attending this academy. The cost at the door is $70. If you prepay beforehand it is $60. The cost for students and low-income attendees is $30.
This will be my first time attending. I have talked to others who have attended these events in the past and they say that they are worth it. You learn a lot and you bring a lot of information back to use.
Plus, if there are any candidates out there who would like to attend and be a presence, contact DFA at training@democracyforamerica.com.
What does the budget look like for the Rochester and Finger Lakes region?
Recognizing that support for local government programs is important to alleviate pressure on local property taxes, Governor Paterson made significant reductions to state agency spending - which will grow by only one percent - in order to preserve funding for localities that rely upon state aid. Overall, New York's local governments, including cities, towns, villages, and school districts, will receive a net positive benefit of $3.0 billion from the state budget.
The Enacted Budget provides $1.7 billion in school aid for the Rochester and Finger Lakes region, a substantial increase of $150.4 million (9.7 percent). The City of Rochester School District will receive $452.0 million in school aid, an increase of $40.3 million (9.8 percent).
As part of the City-by-City initiative, the budget helps finance two critical economic development initiatives in Rochester. It provides critical funding of $55 million for the demolition of Midtown Plaza, which is expected to bring more than 1,000 jobs to downtown Rochester when a new PAETECH building is built in its place. Additionally, $50 million is included for the University of Rochester's Clinical and Translational Science Institute.
Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) revenue sharing funding will total $114.3 million for the Rochester and Finger Lakes regions, an increase of $15.2 million (15.4 percent) In the City of Rochester, AIM funding will total $95.4 million, an increase of $14.1 million (17.4 percent).
Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding of $4.6 million is provided in Monroe County, an increase of $513,256 (12.4 percent), and will help fund important infrastructure initiatives. Additionally, the continued capping of local Medicaid costs and the state takeover of the Family Health Plus program will save local taxpayers in that county $9 million in 2008-09.
(Note: Gov. Spitzer was not in attendance to make this announcement in Rochester today due to the weather.)
Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today a $17.8 million affordable housing project for the city of Rochester.
From an e-mailed press release:
"Projects such as The Mills at High Falls should be commonplace throughout Upstate New York," said Governor Spitzer. "If we are going to revitalize and reinvigorate our Upstate communities, it is going to take a significant commitment and that is why it is so important that we enact the Upstate Revitalization Fund. It's also why community, business, labor and advocacy groups throughout Upstate are joining us in calling for this historic investment."
The Mills at High Falls project targets a unique niche audience interested in living in a historical Riverside neighborhood in downtown Rochester. The project features 67 units that will provide rental opportunities for a wide range of household incomes. Initial occupancy is anticipated for Spring 2009.
The $17.8 million dollar project includes more than $3.9 million in New York State Housing Finance Agency tax exempt bonds, a $2.6 million low interest second mortgage from the New York State Housing Finance Agency and $7.1 million in investor funds generated by both Federal and New York State tax credits.
Senator Joe Robach said: "I was very happy to advocate for the success of, and State participation in, this project which will create affordable housing in Rochester- it will strengthen our downtown community and provide quality housing opportunities for our residents. I applaud the collaborative effort between the Urban League, Eastman Kodak, Mayor Duffy, and the State for putting together another winning project for the Rochester area."
Assemblymember David F. Gantt said: "This is an example of the kind of progress that can be made when the State, city, private and not-for-profit sectors come together in a shared effort to move our city forward. Expanding available housing options, as The Mills at High Falls will do, is critical to Rochester's revival."
Rochester Mayor Bob Duffy said: "The Mills at High Falls will spur economic development in our region. I want to thank the New York State Housing Finance Agency, New York State Division of Housing and Community Renewal, the Dean of our Assembly Delegation David Gantt, Senator Joe Robach, the Urban League of Rochester Economic Development Corporation and Eastman Kodak for their tremendous dedication and commitment to this project. This type of collaborative effort is the formula that will revitalize Rochester."
This is the type of project that Gov. Spitzer was referring to in his State of Upstate Address. Providing affordable housing in upstate, especially in cities like Rochester, is important. Of the $1 billion Upstate Revitalization Plan, $100 million of that was dedicated to housing and community development. As you can see, this is just one part of the plan, but a great start.
The folks at Democracy for America are holding training events for activists and campaign staff all across the country this year. Rochester will be a Training Academy location on May 3-4.
You have the power, now learn the skills! The Democracy for America Training Academy is coming to Rochester, NY for two days of exciting campaign training.
How many votes will it take to win in November? How do you find the perfect message and get it out to voters in your district? How will you raise enough money to pay for it all?
The DFA Training Academy will help you answer these questions and more.
At the DFA Training Academy, top campaign consultants with decades of experience give you the skills to run a winning campaign. Topics include: field planning, voter contact, fundraising, communications, volunteer recruitment and more.
Attendees will also get to hear directly from some of the most exciting 2008 candidates in their area and get a copy of the DFA Training Manual packed with over 180 pages campaign info.
Refreshments will be provided throughout the day and a social event will be organized Saturday evening so you can mingle and network with other activists in your area.
This will be a great event and I think they've picked the perfect location. I may even try to make it up there as well. It would be great to meet some TAPpers from WNY.
Remember my post about Net Neutrality and the Brodsky Bill?
Net Neutrality is the realization of the First Amendment, except on the digital plane. Remember, Free Speech is government regulation. Imagine the ridiculousness of claiming that we don't need the Bill of Rights, because "the market will sort it out". Same deal with Net Neutrality.
In case the term Net Neutrality confuses you, Public Knowledge has crafted a quick three minute clip explaining the idea in an elegant and clean manner.
Really, watch it. It'll only take less than three minutes, and explains the whole deal very well.
(Sayhar has written a couple of great pieces about the Brodsky bill and net neutrality over at Rochester Turning. I asked if he would cross post and he has agreed. Thanks, Sayhar. - promoted by phillip anderson)
Most of the bill is concerned with giving great cheap broadband to most every New Yorker. I know it's a bit cliched to say it, but this really could be a modern-day analogue to the Erie Canal. Like the Erie Canal, however, it has to be used for the public good, and not for corporate short-sighted interest.
To that end, the bill also has Net Neutrality provisions. Let those good folks at the Save The Internet Coalition explain the concept:
National ISPs (like Verizon) can block your access to national sites (like Google), and stop any exciting new entrepreneur that threatens their grip on power.
Net Neutrality can affect you personally. Without it, there is no way to stop a rich local businessman from bribing roadrunner into censoring your competing website. For that matter, if we piss off the local Republican Party too much, they could bribe local ISPs to stop you all from accessing Rochester Turning.
Last night, the local chapter of PDA - the 
