Smith, Upstate Senators Want Regional Blueprint Funds For Upstate

by: robert.harding

Mon Apr 13, 2009 at 07:25:38 AM EDT

On April 9, 2008, Governor David Paterson announced that his own version of the upstate revitalization plan would be included in the budget. Instead of $1 billion, the plan was cut to $700 million. In the press release announcing the plan, the Regional Blueprint Fund is outlined:

Regional Blueprint Fund ($120 million): Reflecting the need to move away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach to Upstate economic development, the Enacted Budget creates a $120 million Regional Blueprint Fund, which will be used to take advantage of the unique assets in each part of New York. This fund will be administered by the Empire State Development Corporation and will build on Regional Blueprint sessions held last fall to identify projects that will enhance each specific Upstate area's economic advantages.

After reviewing Spitzer's upstate plan and Paterson's upstate plan, there are a couple of differences. But what was also included in Paterson's plan that received very little attention was $35 million for a "downstate revitalization fund" that was included in Paterson's upstate plan.

Why is that important? A year after Paterson announced his own plan for upstate, that $120 million that was supposed to be invested in upstate has been held up by Gov. Paterson. Instead of using it as a Regional Blueprint Fund, Paterson wants to combine it with the "downstate revitalization fund" and use those monies for projects all across the state. While all the money won't go to downstate, it all won't go to upstate either.

The five upstate Democratic senators - Sen. Neil Breslin, Sen. Darrel Aubertine, Sen. David Valesky, Sen. Bill Stachowski and Sen. Antoine Thompson - came together with Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith to write a letter to Governor Paterson calling on him to release these funds that were promised to upstate. You can read the letter here.

This is important and this won't be the last time you hear about this issue during the week. When last year's budget was announced, Governor Paterson took advantage of the $700 million he set aside for upstate and used it for his political gain. There were conference calls (which I took part in at the time) where Paterson touted this plan for upstate. In that plan was the Regional Blueprint Fund, which he said would be in the 2008-09 budget and in the 2009-10 budget.

But now, Paterson is trying to play games with the funds. That $120 million could go a long way for upstate New York. It could also help Paterson at a time when he is struggling throughout the state and in upstate New York.

Release the funds, Governor Paterson. Upstate needs them. This money was promised to upstate by you in last year's budget. Don't go back on your word.  

Aubertine, Gillibrand Write Letter To Vilsack To Change USDA Ruling

by: robert.harding

Mon Mar 02, 2009 at 12:52:29 PM EST

Right now, a USDA provision in the recent Farm Bill considered any precut fruits and vegetables to be "processed." Also, any fruits or vegetables that come bagged or washed are also considered processed, even though no alterations have been made to them.

In the letter, both senators stress the importance of agriculture and produce in New York. The produce grown on New York's farms could have a tremendous impact on the healthier lifestyles that we want our young people to have. Schools have started to introduce healthier beverages and meals and fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables could be a big part of that. However, with the current provision in place, those fruits and vegetables aren't being allowed in.

Here is more on the letter being sent to Secretary Vilsack:

In their letter, the Senators state that Farm to Fork programs create wealth and lead to increased employment through agriculture, "creating a ripple effect that strengthens our struggling rural communities. Additionally, locally grown and distributed food is likely to be fresher and more nutritious, a key to fighting childhood public health problems from obesity to diabetes."

"Senator Aubertine is going to bat for our farmers, our school children and our nation," said Ray Denniston, co-chairman of the NY state Farm to School Regional Coordinating Committee. "Encouraging our children to eat healthy, fresh foods benefits everyone. Our farms gain another market for their products, our children will be fitter and stronger, and our society benefits from reduced medical bills. Senators Aubertine and Gillibrand understand that the solution to our health care crisis will come from our farms and kitchens as well as our hospitals and research labs. The senators ? support for Farm to School programs is critically important, and greatly appreciated."

The Senators go on to ask the former Iowa governor to "remain mindful of the vitality and value of New York's farms, the health of our school children, and the positive benefits of promoting local agriculture." They added: One immediate and effective way to do this would be to reverse the USDA ? s reinterpretation of 'de minimis' handling of agriculture products to allow locally grown precut and bagged produce to be served to our school children."

I believe many New Yorkers, along with many Americans as well, hope that this provision is changed so that fresh fruits and vegetables grown on local farms end up in local schools. That would be ideal, not only for the schools, but for the local farms who would also benefit from it.

You can read the letter here.

Sen. Aubertine Discusses Commission On Rural Resources, USDA Letter

by: robert.harding

Fri Feb 27, 2009 at 15:00:00 PM EST

Today, I had an opportunity to conduct a phone interview with Sen. Aubertine to discuss his vision for the commission, whether or not high speed rail fits into the infrastructure equation of the commission's goals and his joint effort with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand to make sure that locally grown foods end up on the lunch trays of local students.

The goals of the commission were outlined in a press release Wednesday, which were the following: Research and draft legislation regarding farm-to-fork programs, green energy, green jobs and green partnerships, re-thinking upstate infrastructure and rural health care. While he reinstated his support for those being the goals of the commission, Aubertine offered his own vision.

"The level of activity (of the commission) may increase a bit in large part because of the economy," Aubertine said. "Though agriculture is an important issue of mine, there are a lot of other issues. Rural health care is a huge issue. This commission could serve as a clearinghouse for a lot of discussions, whether it's agriculture, energy, green jobs. We can use this commission as a point of contact between the legislature and advocates."

Aubertine also stressed the importance of education in the process, listing several upstate New York colleges and universities like the University of Rochester, SUNY Morrisville and others who can help in areas like agriculture, researching green energy and green jobs, among other things.

In talking about infrastructure, I brought up high speed rail to Aubertine. He said that this has "been part of the dialogue with the stimulus package and in this state for a long time." And while he certainly wouldn't brush it off, Aubertine said his focus would be on providing more transportation for the disabled and seniors in rural areas where such transportation now is not readily available.

"The infrastructure now is lacking," he said. "We need more bus routes for seniors and enhance existing bus routes. Buses are a way of lessening the burden of cost and impact on the environment. It is more cheaply, with less cost to the environment. With biofuels, there are a lot of possibilities."

When asked what he thought the commission could do in terms of development, Aubertine argued that the commission could certainly be an important part of revitalizing upstate.

"[The commission] can play a pivotal role as a clearinghouse for advocates and looking at the legislature who may deal with land use development, energy and serve as a touch point for advocates for additional funding," he said.

Aubertine added: "The commission has been successful in the past. There is a real possibility of advancing issues and this commission can be a positive influence."

In addition to the news about the commission this week, Aubertine has joined Sen. Gillibrand in writing a letter to USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack asking Vilsack to review an interpretation of processed foods to allow local produce be bought and used by local school districts. In a press release today (which you can read below the fold), Aubertine had this to say about the provision that currently prevents local produce to be used in schools because of its "processed foods" label.

"The program requires these healthy snacks be served outside of the school meal programs, so where is the logic in calling fruits and vegetables 'processed' simply because they come to the school ready to be served and eaten outside of the lunchroom?" Sen. Aubertine added.

Aubertine is certainly making a name for himself and fighting for his rural district in the process. Kudos to him for his efforts and congratulations to Aubertine for being named the latest chair of the Rural Resources Commission.

Sen. Aubertine Named Chair Of Commission On Rural Resources

by: robert.harding

Wed Feb 25, 2009 at 15:21:57 PM EST

Today, it was announced that Sen. Darrel Aubertine will serve as the chairman for the New York State Legislative Commission on Rural Resources. This commission is in place to develop economic development policies that will spur growth in rural upstate New York.

Under the leadership of Aubertine and Vice-Chair, Assemblyman David Koon (D-Perinton), the Commission will be dedicated to creating policies that will boost economic revitalization in rural communities throughout Upstate.   The commission works directly with a network of more than 10,000 rural residents, advocates, researchers and community and business leaders across Upstate.

 "Because of his personal and legislative experiences, Senator Aubertine is a natural choice to lead this commission and help us in our efforts to promote policies that will benefit Upstate New York," said Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith.   "For the long-term economic growth and revitalization of rural New York, we need a strong commitment to job creation and sound economic development. This commission, driven by substantive public policies initiatives will help cultivate a new economy for Upstate New York," said Smith.

This is the second leadership post for Senator Aubertine, who in January, was chosen to lead the Senate's standing Committee on Agriculture.

"Certainly, I'm honored to have been chosen by the leader to head this commission," Sen. Aubertine said. "As chair of the Agriculture Committee and now as chair of this Commission on Rural Resources, I will continue to promote our state's agriculture industry and advocate for the day to day needs of our rural communities. But in addition, this Commission can play a tremendous role in creating policy and legislation to get our green economy, the industries of the future, up and running."

With Assemblyman David Koon serving as the vice-chair of the commission, Aubertine will be charged with pushing ideas that will lead to economic growth and job creation in rural New York.

According to the press release, the commission will be charged with creating legislation that focuses on these areas:

1) Farm to Fork: This Commission will promote programs which build bridges between our state's farmers and organizations, such as schools, colleges, nursing homes and correctional facilities. This opens up new markets for our state's agriculture industry and provides healthy, local food for these organizations.

2) Green Energy: Agriculture and rural New York can play a key role in the development of alternative energy technologies, manufacturing and production of wind, nuclear, hydropower, solar, biodiesel, cellulosic fuels including ethanol, and other clean energies. With global warming and international conflict forcing our nation to look beyond foreign oil and other fossil fuels, Upstate New York can capitalize on this market trend to create jobs.

3) Green Jobs/Green Partnerships: In addition to green energy, Upstate has a growing industry for environmentally sustainable products which we need to cultivate. By developing incentives for these industries to locate here in New York, working with local small businesses, and through partnerships with SUNY and private universities to advance these innovations, this Commission will work to bring manufacturing jobs back to Upstate.

4) Re-thinking Upstate Infrastructure:   If Upstate New York's economy is going to grow, we need to make sure we can by laying the necessary groundwork for economic viability. This includes maintaining and improving infrastructure for water, sewer, roads, and mass transit, as well as broadband Internet.

5) Rural Healthcare: A key component for improving the quality of life for rural New Yorkers and enticing business investment is improving access to healthcare through programs to recruit more doctors to rural areas, telemedicine and increased awareness of programs available to maintain demand for specialized services.  

Sen. Darrel Aubertine Speaks Out On Cow Tax

by: robert.harding

Fri Dec 12, 2008 at 17:50:34 PM EST

Sen. Darrel Aubertine also weighed in today. Aubertine knows a thing or two about cows from his days as a dairy farmer. This is what he had to say about the cow tax:

State Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine today said that a proposed rule to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including methane from livestock, would not only devastate agriculture in New York State and nationwide, but it would likely also increase global greenhouse emissions.

"There is simply is no rationale to justify putting a tax on cows for how much methane they produce," Sen. Aubertine said. "That type of fee or tax could put our local farms out of business, leaving foreign producers to meet the demand for meat and dairy among American families. These foreign farms have fewer environmental controls and less efficient production methods. When you add in the distance these goods would have to be shipped, this tax makes no sense environmentally or economically."

The Environmental Protection Agency's proposed rule would regulate greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles under the Clean Air Act, but this would require classifying all greenhouse gases including methane as pollutants. Under the Clean Air Act, any entity that emits more than 100 tons of pollutant would require a permit, meaning 95 percent of American livestock farms-those with more than 25 dairy cows, 50 beef cattle or 200 hogs-would need a permit.

"The EPA has indicated it will not propose a tax on livestock emissions, but the agency is working on regulations for greenhouse gases and we need to make sure we're heard clearly on this issue," Sen. Aubertine said. "This is the type of regulation that helps no one. In all honesty it does nothing for us environmentally and it would most certainly put our farms at a competitive disadvantage."

States would be responsible for permitting and setting fees, but based on the EPA's presumptive minimum rate of $43.75 per ton, it could result in taxes of more than $175 per year for each dairy cow, $87.50 per head for beef cattle and $20 for each hog. A family dairy farm of 75 cows could end up owing more than $13,000. With the current variability in commodity prices, this could put many producers out of business.

Aubertine knows a thing or two about how this would impact farmers. As you can see, it would have a very serious impact on dairy farmers.

As stated earlier, the intentions behind this tax are good. But you can't punish farmers for this. It would have a devastating impact and it would create more problems.

Aubertine joins Massa and Sen. Chuck Schumer in opposing the cow tax.