Maybe it’s time to rethink this appointment. Of course, you know, that just by virtue of the fact that I would like it to be so, it will not be so. Still and all, I have to talk about this because it involves the position that rightfully should have gone to Howard Dean. From Politico:

With President Barack Obama’s talking like the new sheriff of Wall Street this week, it seems like just the kind of thing he’d rail against – a rich political insider who doesn’t pay taxes on his limousine.

Except that in this case, it’s Obama’s nominee for health and human services secretary, Tom Daschle.

The White House said Saturday that Obama remains committed to Daschle’s nomination. A West Wing official twice stressed that Obama is dedicated to enduring the fallout—now the second politically embarrassing case of a high-level appointee failing to pay taxes.

[snip]

In his radio address on Saturday, Obama railed against “arrogance and greed” in the markets, and he’s attacked “shameful” bonuses as evidence that financial titans are out of touch with how regular people live.

Daschle’s back-tax problem, though, centered on more than $255,000 worth of free limo rides around Washington, not exactly the working-class blues.

The car and driver were given to Daschle by a friend and Democratic mega-donor whose company also employed the ex-Senate Democratic leader at the rate of $1 million a year. Daschle supplemented his income with $200,000 in speeches to the same health groups he’d regulate as HHS secretary.

That’s real classy, Tom. Thanks for that.

We’ve discussed the pros and cons of government consolidation on RT before.  Pros would be potentially lower cost of government (and taxes), cons would be potentially less responsiveness to your local needs.

Tom Golisano gave a speech recently to the Rochester Rotary Club where he pushed for consolidation:

Golisano, in his talk, said one first step has to be merging some local government bodies as proof there can be tax savings as a result. “I don’t understand why we need a village manager and village government in the village of Pittsford,” rather than merging the village and town, he said.

I had also heard that he was going to be funding studies on metro consolidation in the Rochester area, but I haven’t been able to find it in the news.  Anyone else hear about this?

A month of Dem Senate Control and the GOP says, well - Nana nana boo boo.  Thumbs and fingers a flying.

Via the D&C

ALBANY — In its first month under Democratic control, the state Senate passed no bills — a first for any January in recent history, a check of state records shows.

[snip]

“I know the excuse is they need time, that there’s a learning curve. This is the first time they’ve taken over in 40 years,” said Sen. Thomas Libous, R-Binghamton, the deputy Senate minority leader. “But it’s time to put some bills on the floor. It’s time to get some committee meetings going.”

Per the GOP

Senate GOP spokesman Scott Reif said that in January 2008, when Republicans were still in control, 38 bills were passed.

The Dem Response?

The lack of action was due mostly to a decision by Paterson to move up deliberations on the state budget, and committee chairs hiring their own staffs to process legislation, said Senate Deputy Majority Leader Jeff Klein, D-Bronx-Westchester.

He noted that Paterson presented his budget more than a month early and that legislative hearings started on Jan. 13 — about two weeks earlier than normal.

My response? Well, STFU.  Jan 2008 is different that Jan 2009.  Lots of distractions (Senate appointments, Inaugurations, Bruno Investigations etc) that huge budget mess, change over in power,  new staff hires, etc.  Damn, let’s talk in a couple of months.

I found this on Opposing Views’ web site and thought that our local vegetarian society would enjoy a peek. Also, too (I miss Sarah, don’t you?), it being Super Bowl weekend and all, I wanted those who look forward to the commercials more than the game to see what didn’t make it onto the screen. (Victoria’s Secret-watch out!)

I was a vegetarian for 10 years. I felt healthier and definitely had more energy, but then I got lazy. It takes some serious effort to stay veggie. I’m thinking I may have to go back in view of these studies.

Gee, and I thought dumping 1,300 people in a depressed economy was a pretty big deal.  Check out this lede  in the D&C:

Layoff announcements from Eastman Kodak Co. used to send shockwaves through the community, as nearly everyone had family or neighbors who worked for the film giant.

Thursday’s announcement of 1,300 local layoffs still hurts, but the Rochester area is used to bad news from the company.

Yea, I’m sure no shock waves at all.

at least the article closes like this:

Nevertheless, Cook [U of R prof at the Simon School] said it’s hard to be anything but pessimistic in the face of big layoffs.

“Everybody’s got that negative psyche in their head that says, ‘I don’t see any light in the tunnel.’”

IN 1982 Kodak had 60,000 people.  It projects just over 7000 by the end of the year.  that includes the 1,300 scheduled to be laid off.  So, I think, 1,300 out of say 8,500 IS a big deal.

Boy, the Rochester Business Journal crowd is getting pretty progessive. Last week, Business Journal readers gave Maggie’s performance a yawn in their weekly poll. This week they slammed Ren Square.

Do you support or oppose the decision to move forward with construction of the Monroe Community College and bus terminal components of Renaissance Square?

I oppose building Renaissance Square: 46%
I oppose building Renaissance Square without the performing-arts center component: 11%
I support it: 42%

There are dozens of comments, most of them opposing the project. A small sample:

Turning a prime downtown city block into a bus station and calling it a renaissance is hilarious. You couldn’t write better comedy.
-Mark Costello, Boylan, Brown, Code, Vigdor & Wilson, LLP

The three uses proposed in the Renaissance Square project are fundamentally incompatible, as are the two approved uses. This is a classic example of money trying to find an idea rather than the other way around, which is how the private sector does business.
-R. Tarantello, Ph.D., Tarantello & Associates

Renaissance Square, in my opinion, is Maggie Brooks’ folly, her version of the Fast Ferry. At this time, in this economic climate, Renaissance Square is the wrong direction and sends the wrong message about priorities for this community and this state. We have MUCH bigger fish to fry with much greater importance in the larger scheme of things.
-John Holtz, retired

Maybe, just maybe, there is still time for sanity to prevail.

Well, Obama has Youtube (can’t ask questions though) and Congressman Massa has a weekly radio show - Sundays, 11-12pm EST where, as the email I received says;

…constituents are encouraged to call in to discuss the issues confronting Congress, the nation and the world.  This program is non-political in its nature and no question is off the table. Everyone is encouraged to call or email their questions in. Bill “Wolf” Berry will be the co-host.

It is broadcast out of  Hornell on WKPQ 105.3 FM and WHHO 1320 am.  Listen at online at: http://wkpq.hornellradio.com

Got questions?  Call in number is 607-324-1596 or send email to: ericmassaradioshow@gmail.com

Very cool idea.

As I said here - I’m happy Andrew Cuomo is still AG.

Maybe we will get some money back. (Via TPM)

It reports, sourced to “a person familiar with the matter,” that Cuomo may demand the return of the bonuses — estimated at as much as $4 billion, and apparently awarded on an accelerated schedule just before the firm came under the control of Bank of America at the start of 2009.

Bloomberg adds that Cuomo is also probing what Bank of America Chief Executive Officer Ken Lewis knew about the bonuses, and about Merrill’s huge losses in the fourth quarter, which appear to have ben revealed B of A around the time the bonuses were awarded.

More broadly, Bloomberg reports, the investigation is focused on “whether the companies’ shareholders had all necessary information about Merrill’s finances and whether federal bail-out loans to Bank of America were used properly.”

It simply amazes me that people are rewarded when their company or, more accurately, the company they have been hired to lead, goes down the toilet.  Simply amazes me.  Same holds for any company.  There is a price to pay for failure.

Go get ‘em.  All of them.

Our Freshmen Congressmen have “Juice”.

• Maffei lands a Judiciary Committee assignment in addition to the exclusive, unless there is a waiver, Financial Services Committee.
• Massa wanted and got three assignments.  Instead of transportation, he lands Homeland Security

via Massa Press release

WASHINGTON D.C. - Last night it was announced that Congressman Eric Massa has been appointed to the House Committee on Homeland Security. The announcement of all Democratic members on the committee was made late last night. Rep. Massa also serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Committee on Armed Services.

“Having spent 24 years protecting America in the military, I am ready to continue this role in the Homeland Security Committee,” said Congressman Eric Massa. “I think my presence on the Homeland Security Committee combined with my seat on the Armed Services Committee will both be valuable tools toward creating good jobs in the defense sector right here in Western New York.”

As I said earlier - this provides the ability to leverage the assignments in order to provide a greater return for upstate.

Now about the Homeland Security Committee.  What is interesting is that the minority has its own website as well.  Not that is not improper, so does transportation, agriculture and probably others as well.  In the case of Home Land Security Committee it is run by ranking HSC committee minority leader, future Senator Gillibrand opponent, Peter King.

Updated Committee assignments for Rochester area Reps are below the fold

Read the rest of this entry »

Now that it seems there’s no stopping it, I’ve been thinking about RenSquare.  It’s a love/hate thing.  Yes, I know that it will provide potentially thousands of jobs to Building and Trades people.  I agree it’s a good thing to have more of Monroe County Community College in the geographic and urban center of Monroe County. I wish the bus terminal were better thought out, or better yet, co-located with the Amtrak station.  I wish that Amtrak and Greyhound weren’t having turf wars that seem to be making a co-located bus terminal a non-starter.

But most of all, I wish Monroe County’s “ready to go” project that qualifies for stimulus funding was something that was sustainable, money-making and forward-looking.  The fact that instead we have RenSquare and are being held at gunpoint by the economy to support it for job-creation reasons doesn’t sit well with me.  

The fact that it’s the best we have to offer shows a fundamental lack of leadership and vision in county leadership.  But with the power structures that are in place in Monroe County, how do we create an alternate vision that can gain traction?

And what is Rochester’s Next Economy going to look like?

Well, this is exciting news-Another sponsor of HR676, our very own congressman, Eric Massa.

WASHINGTON, DC — Within less than a week of being sworn in as the new Congressman from New York’s 29th Congressional District, Eric Massa proudly informed Rep. John Conyers that he will co-sponsor HR676. Massa also proclaimed his intent to be active in his support of the bill to provide publicly funded, privately delivered healthcare to every Amercian.

[snip]

In addition to being a staunch supporter of healthcare reform, Massa is a cancer survivor and a 24-year veteran of the U.S. Navy. He defeated a Republican incumbent to take the Congressional seat and wasted no time diving into the work that needs to be done in Washington.

For a refresher on HR676, you can check out this. Eric’s support for universal health-care has not wavered throughout the campaign. Btp ferreted out each legislator’s stance on health care here and found that the only supporter among our local congress critters was Massa, so those of you who live in those other CDs need to get on the horn and start jaw-bonin’. (Bears repeating-from btp’s post [with updated phone numbers and titles):

Congressman Eric Massa (D, NY-29) - Supports. In fact, campaigned on it.

Phone to thank him: Phone: (202) 225-3161

Congresswoman Louise Slaughter (D, NY-28) - ??? Not listed as a co-sponsor. Anyone know why?

Phone to ask if she’ll co-sponsor: 585-232-4850 (local office at Federal Building).  D.C. Office (202) 225-361.

Congressman Dan Maffei (D, NY-25) - “I’m for healthcare for all. Medicare for all. At least Medikids for all.” But isn’t sure H.R. 676 is correct solution.

Phone: (202) 225-3701

Congressman Chris Lee (R, NY-26) -

Phone: (202) 225-5265

Remember, 3 months ago when a report came out and said Randy Kuhl owed $118,000 because he used State Campaign funds for Federal purposes. Here is the audit.

Well, whatever happened to that?  Recall, the report had to be approved by the FEC prior to enforcement of any penalties - because if it isn’t “approved” then it isn’t official.

Now I didn’t expect action in 3 months (no action under the previous administration and 2 weeks into the new administration) but handling this type of thing can give “government” a bad name.  Let’s review.

1. A race is run in 2003/2004.
2. A report comes out in 2008 staying there was something improper yet nothing happens until the report is approved by the FEC (so, why does the report come out?)
   • remember, the the report come out in February 2008 and as far as I can tell, didn’t get processed  until November 2008 (coincidence?).
3. News organizations cover the report
4. Silence.

I’d like to see a news organization follow-up and find out what, if anything , will happen.

Or Is this going to slip through the cracks.  Perhaps a better statement - is this going to be allowed to fall through the cracks.

Friday, the public is invited to attend this presentation with Rep. Louise Slaughter:

U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter will hold a talk on Friday, January 30 at the University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) on the topic of genetic discrimination in health care.

Rep. Slaughter is one of the authors of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, which was signed into law earlier this year.The new law provides comprehensive protection against all forms of genetic discrimination, helping patients feel more comfortable about participating in genetic tests. The fear that genetic information could be misused by employers or health insurance providers has been cited as a key barrier to participation in biomedical research and the development of new technologies in fields such as personalized health care.

“Rep. Slaughter has been a tireless champion of this issue since it was first introduced 13 years ago and should be commended for her leadership and resolve in getting this legislation enacted into law,” said Bradford C. Berk, M.D., Ph.D., CEO of URMC.“Her landmark legislation will make genomic and proteomic research much more feasible at institutions such as the University of Rochester.”

The Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act prohibits group health plans and health insurers from denying coverage or charging higher premiums to a healthy individual based solely on a genetic predisposition to developing a disease in the future. The legislation also bars employers from using an individuals’ genetic information when making hiring, firing, job placement, or promotion decisions.

[snip]

For more information contact Sheila K. McCart at Sheila_mccart@urmc.rochester.edu.

Both the public and the press are invited to this event.

In its lates poll, Sienna College found nearly two-thirds of New Yorkers favor increasing incomes taxes on the wealthy (over $250,000 income) if it will eliminate other tax hikes or reduce cuts in education and health care.

45 percent of voters polled said the state should raise income tax on those making more than $250,000 to “reduce the governor’s proposed cuts to health and education.”

Twenty-two percent said “don’t increase” the income tax and keep the governor’s proposed taxes.

The third choice participants were given was increasing the income tax in order to “eliminate all of the other taxes the governor proposed,” and 20 percent indicated their preference for that option.

The poll also noted strong opposition to Governor Paterson’s laundry list of small taxes on music downloads, movie tickets, cable TV, etc, but with one exception… people seem okay with increasing taxes again on tobacco and alcohol.

The Project Management world has a saying: “How does a project become 6 months late?  One day at a time.”

How does Monroe County’s budget get a $33 Million deficit?  Well, they could gamble on Brooks’ “FAIR” plan/sales tax intercept, and lose $6M, or they could do it more modestly, $1M at a time.

Last night the GOPers submitted legislation that would have authorized a contract to design a new pediatric center at Monroe Community Hospital (MCH). From today’s D&C:

A rare bipartisan agreement on a Democratic suggestion occurred Tuesday in a County Legislature committee meeting when a request to spend money on a project that isn’t fully funded was put on hold.

The Department of Human Services asked the legislature’s Human Services Committee to spend $770,000 with the Clark Patterson Lee firm on a design for a facility that would provide health care services for children transitioning out of foster care. In addition to being necessary for construction, the design would encourage $5 million in private donations, said Commissioner Kelly Reed.

Legislator Jose Cruz, D-Rochester, said that nearly $1 million was an “outrageous amount” to spend for a project that is not funded and may never be built.

The issue is that the County may never raise the funds to build the center. If that were to happen, Clark Patterson Lee, formerly Clark Patterson, would simply get to keep the $770k payment. You may remember Clark Patterson because that’s the same company John Stanwix was charged with having an interest in while he was at the water authority.

This is basically the same scenario as the Ren Square theater, they’ve spent about $17 million and they still don’t even know if it will ever be built. 

On top of all that, they also submitted last night’s legislation to the Dems as a Matter of Importance, which means they first saw the legislation at about 5 o’clock, an hour before the Human Services Committee was expected to vote on it. 

So, in review, business as usual?  

• Last minute GOP surprise sprung on the Dems?  Check.
• Appearance of pay-to-play for well-connected GOP cronies?  Check.
• Big spending for a project that’s potentially not viable?  Check.
• The spending adding to an already huge budget deficit? Check.