In Case You Missed It…
Welcome to the Congress, Cable, COMIDA and County edition of In Case you missed it.
Congress -
Got to start somewhere and why not start with Congressional Swearing in ceremonies? - specifically Eric Massa’s. btp reminds us about our first Massa post. There were interviews leading up to the ceremony, We were on the ground in D.C. and attended the last reception and speech made as Congressman-elect, where the page was turned between campaign and legislative activities. We discussed the Hydrogen Fuel car that Massa drove to DC and how our habits have changed over the years. Massa answers questions about his trip. I Headed over to watch the swearing in wrapped up the visit with these reflections.
Meanwhile - Dan Maffei held in-district swearing in ceremonies. Both Maffei and Massa were named as freshman to watch for very different reasons by Politico. The list was bipartisan and a simple reminder that we are fortunate in upstate to have two freshman up and comers.
Meanwhile Louise Slaughter forms a bipartisan upstate Congressional caucus. All the Representatives with districts in Rochester are included.
Finally, Chris Lee votes against women. See you in 2010 Chris.
Cable
Public access cable is an important feature of the cable package many receive. Here on the east side, many watch school board meetings, Town Hall meetings and such. Well, for the past several years, there has been a power play with West side government entities trying to control the level of independence of Public Access. Anyway, RT starts coverage. It continues with video of West side Supervisors leaving a room and wonderful conversation in the comments.
COMIDA
COMIDA director Judy Siel tries to spin COMIDA. Of Course, Judy is of the opinion that if COMIDA benefits aren’t granted, the projects won’t be done. What, is someone going to pack up Greece Ridge Mall and move it to China? Oh, how is COMIDA success measured? The number of projects they approve. Meanwhile, comments are due for Medley Centre and we ask how does COMIDA actually measure job growth?
County
Maggie asks for Federal dollars for her version of the Fast Ferry otherwise known as RenSquare and it looks like Senator Schumer is going to give it.
County Legislature Majority leader Dan Quatro really doesn’t like debate.
The ROB-U-BLIND scandal gets more air play as the DA parses his words leading to speculation and ultimately making local electeds nervous. The essence is that ROBUTRAD contractors did private work on public time for local elected officials. Meanwhile, bigboy uses the Internets and looks at Cheryl Dinalfo’s house.
Short Takes
Greece Churches pray for Greece elected Officials.
With President-elect Obama pushing Infrastructure, maybe this LTE about high speed rail will come to fruition.
The Story of Stuff was discussed in Brighton.
Metro Justice is developing a strategy to improve the State Budget. Working Families Party weighs-in on the budget. The New York State budget has problems (no kidding) and Comptroller DiNapoli says the numbers don’t add up. In rather shocking news, New York State government is still disfunctional. Let’s see how that changes as the Democrats finally take control of the State Senate. GOP leader Dean Skelos adjusts to life in the minority. Malcolm Smith commits to support upstate.
Tax Rates? they need to be looked at carefully.
The unemployment computer system crashes,
We have another upgrade coming.
President-elect Obama delivers his weekly address again (via youtube - still very cool)
The Middle East is a mess - and the D&C editorial board says Israel has veered off course.
There is an on-line petition to “save” the speaking out essay in the D&C.
Questions are asked if Howard Dean has been slighted by not being part of Obama’s cabinet. Maybe (commenter Andrea points out that Dean will continue to be involved)- but frankly I am more concerned with continuation of the 50-state strategy.
Finally airbare takes leave and goes to Washington. Good luck.
See you next week.
Related posts: