Stupak brings 8 formerly no votes to the yes column.

Via TPM

Stupak, a pro-life Democrat, was one of the key holdouts on the bill, and as late as this morning told reporters that he controlled eight of the votes.

He just announced that he and the leadership have reached a deal on the bill’s abortion language, and he and several house Democrats will now vote “yes.”

President Obama will issue an executive order ensuring Federal funds aren’t used for abortion.

All this makes me think that former Rep Massa’s vote would not have mattered.  What I mean is that given the deal with Stupak.  Massa could have done what he needed to do to win in a R+5 district and oppose the President and stand on a campaign issue (single payer).  Not that any of it matters now.

Last May, the Progressive Democrats of America - Genesee Valley hosted a Health Care forum.  Profession Ted Brown gave a rich 20 minute presentation on the history of Health Care Reform.

As the Health Care bill (a much less than optimal bill) winds its way through the governmental sausage machine today I thought it was worth watching again.

Then you can read Sirota’s take on how we got here.

Sirota on how this Health Care bill came to pass.    It’s ugly and worth the read.

First, their leaders campaign on pledges to create a government insurer (a “public option”) that will compete with private health corporations. Once elected, though, Democrats propose simply subsidizing those corporations, which are (not coincidentally) filling Democratic coffers. Justifying the reversal, Democrats claim the subsidies will at least help some citizens try to afford the private insurance they’ll be forced to buy – all while insisting Congress suddenly lacks the votes for a public option.

Despite lawmakers’ refusal to hold votes verifying that assertion, liberal groups obediently follow orders to back the bill, their obsequious leaders fearing scorn from Democratic insiders and moneymen. Specifically, MoveOn, unions and “progressive” non-profits threaten retribution against lawmakers who consider voting against the bill because it doesn’t include a public option. The threats fly even though these congresspeople would be respecting their previous public-option ultimatums – ultimatums originally supported by many of the same groups now demanding retreat.

Soon it’s on to false choices. Democrats tell their base that any bill is better than no bill, even one making things worse, and that if this particular legislation doesn’t pass, Republicans will win the upcoming election – as if signing a blank check to insurance and drug companies couldn’t seal that fate. They tell everyone else that “realistically” this is the “last chance” for reform, expecting We the Sheeple to forget that those spewing the do-or-die warnings control the legislative calendar and could immediately try again.

Predictably, the fear-mongering prompts left-leaning Establishment pundits to bless the bill, giving Democratic activists concise-yet-mindless conversation-enders for why everyone should shut up and fall in line (”Krugman supports it!”). Such bumper-sticker mottos are then demagogued by Democratic media bobbleheads and their sycophants, who dishonestly imply that the bill’s progressive opponents 1) secretly aim to aid the far right and/or 2) actually hope more Americans die for lack of health care. In the process, the legislation’s sellouts are lambasted as the exclusive fault of Republicans, not Democrats and their congressional majorities.

Earth sufficiently scorched, President Obama then barnstorms the country, calling the bill a victory for “ordinary working folks” over the same corporations he is privately promising to enrich. The insurance industry, of course, airs token ads to buttress Obama’s “victory” charade – at the same time its lobbyists are, according to Politico, celebrating with chants of “we win!”

By design, pro-public-option outfits like Firedoglake and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee end up depicted as voices of the minority, even as they champion an initiative that polls show the majority of voters support. Meanwhile, telling questions hang: If this represents victory over special interests, why is Politico reporting that “drug industry lobbyists have huddled with Democratic staffers” to help pass the bill? How is the legislation a first step to reform, as proponents argue, if it financially and politically strengthens insurance and drug companies opposing true change? And what prevents those companies from continuing to increase prices?

Welcome to another week that was on Rochesterturning.  I was otherwise engaged at work and ladkiddo covered nicely.   Where to begin?  Let’s start with Health Care - It gets voted on today in the House.  Congel pays up. Monserrate is gone - again, Cuomo looks at pension spiking.    oh, one more thing - Seven years ago this week we invaded Iraq.  What do we have to show for it?

Let’s start from the top.

Federal level

Health Care is hurling towards a House vote.  Rep Slaughter is in the news given she is Chairman of the House rules committee with the aptly named Slaughter house rules.  Well, it isn’t ‘her’ rule since others have used a little known procedure to move legislation forward.  The GOP is making hay of something they too have used.  In the end, doesn’t matter- it’s proposed to move the Health Care bill forward (UPDATE:  this procedure is not being used, something else it) .   Dennis Kucinich announced that he was voting for the health Care reform bill - switching his vote form no to yes.  Why?  Perhaps it is as simply as this.  In order to get back to the nation’s business, this bill needs to be closed- meaning pass it.  This is really about the ability to move other legislation forward now and failure to pass this bill means we can’t.

I think the votes are there even with some of the no votes like Acuri (NY-20).  Like most no votes, the House leadership know who they are simply worked around them.

Meanwhile - much to the chagrin of my Republican tax preparer, Obama had a more positive effect on my taxes than GWB.

Looking West from Albany

Expelled State Senator Hiram Monserrate decided his 15 mins of ‘infam’  wasn’t enough and ran in a special election for his seat.  He lost.  

The Village of Seneca Falls voted to disband itself. 

Joseph DioGuardi is running for Senate and adds his name to a crowded GOP field.  Who will the American Idol judges, vote to move pass through?  Daughter Kara will probably support dear old dad.  Simon?  The rest?  stay tuned.

Bloomberg may ‘heart’ NY but doesn’t ‘heart’ Sen Gillibrand.

AG Cuomo is looking into pension spiking.   Good.

Local Scene

At the last minute, Medley Centre developer  Scott Congel paid his commitment of 322K.  Now about that 500K he owes.

Malik Evans adds his name to a crowded Dem field running for AD 131.

Quick Clicks

So how can you best ensure your voice is heard?  Fusion voting - we have it in New York.   Pissed off at the party?  you can always quit the Democratic party and form your own or join another one.

Wingnuts continues - it is OK for Danny Hastert…

Can we/ should we really mess with Mother Nature and who should be pay for it?  Throwing good money after bad sand.

Ladkiddo takes us on a tour of past with an eye to the future.   Teddy Roosevelt

That’s it see you next week.

Enter Rochester School Board member Malik Evans who is running to replace Assemblywoman Susan John.  he joins fellow school board member Willa Powell and County Leg Minority leader Harry Bronson.

The question is how to navigate the Rochester Democratic Party power brokers.  Via the City News

Evans said he has not talked to party leaders David Gantt or Joe Morelle. That could be a tricky, since Evans has been an outspoken opponent of Mayor Bob Duffy’s interest in taking control of the city school district. Both Gantt and Morelle support mayoral control.

This is more than a single issue race and success will be earned to the one who clearly demonstrates that.

I’m sure you heard that AG Cuomo is investigating Pension spiking.  via the WSJ

New York became the latest state to shine a light on the practice of pension “spiking”—big increases in a government worker’s salary just before retirement to boost the lifelong pension payout.

New York Attorney General Andrew Cuomo said Thursday his office was investigating what he called “manipulation” of government workers’ salaries and overtime pay to increase their pensions, which are mostly calculated based on the final years of income. Mr. Cuomo called the moves a burden to taxpayers.

Spiking, which is legal in most places, has come under increased scrutiny in the past couple of years. As private-sector workers have fallen upon tougher times and have seen their retirement savings shrink, anger has grown over what are perceived to be overly generous retirement benefits for public employees. In particular, six-figure pensions that can result from spiking have drawn headlines.

Remember this line?

A look at who is working overtime shows the ranks still dominated by officers at or nearing retirement eligibility.

Um, that would be reference to some of the $6.5 million dollars in City of Rochester Police overtime.

Just a quick thought as we wind down down operations in Iraq.

7 years ago we invaded Iraq.

What do we have to show for it?

Just a little editorial to start your Friday - Pass the Health Care bill

I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately.  My stance has been pretty consistent - Some form of a single payer system like Medicare for all.  A Medicare buy-in would be wonderful.  The proposed Health Care bill is not that at all.  Not even close.  In the end, we get mandated coverage with no public option, delayed benefits and Insurance companies seem to be in the drivers seat.  Many items don’t kick in for a couple of years.

That is why all last year, I worked actively to get as strong a bill as possible,  Challenged electeds in the Democratic party who used compromise as starting point not a closing tactic.  Challenging those organizations who supported such mentality at the expense of what I deemed common sense.   From my perspective, I was pretty fierce publicly and privately.  Privately, it did cost me some relationships with folks in activist circles.

Still - I think we have arrived at the end game.  It’s over folks -in order to keep the idea of Health Care reform alive and the conversation still on the table - we need to pass a bill - this bill.

• It provides some improvement to some people’s lives.  The bill certainly can be improved, made better, all of that but…
• Starting over and trying to get a “better bill” isn’t going to happen because we won’t get a better bill - we get nothing. The GOP gets to claim victory tout obstruction as a success tactic.
• It gives Democrats - a success point.  The Democrats need to prove that they can govern - something they haven’t been able to do the past year as their legislative agenda has stalled in the Congress. Look if you are reading this blog you are somewhere between knee and neck deep in political sausage making meaning you are in the minority.  Most people haven’t a clue as to what is going on.  Passage of this bill moves the Health Care conversation to other aspects - the economy and immigration and so on -
• Passage of this bill provided a real, concrete starting point for continued health care conversation.  It moves health care reform from theory to reality.  It also provides something to tweak.

Finally, this - those electeds, groups or individuals who believe the health care bill and all that went into it is some sort of success model or destination to hold up as the shining light on the hill.   I say - no.  Those who buy into that belief - that shining light is simply a bug zapper.   Mark my words, we will be revisiting Health Care.  Passage of this bill simply means that we will revisit it w/in several years as opposed to another couple of generations.

Oh come on.  Why are we doing this? Look the  concept of government intervention is fine but somehow I suspect that what is really at stake here is people built houses on a beach and now that the beach is eroding (naturally) they feel their property values will decline and want someone to “do somethign about it.”  Seems to go with the territory or beach as the case may be.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Last week was a difficult one for those of us engaged in the political arena.   To no one’s surprise life goes on.  The Massa story continues to play out.  But there were other stories.  The mayoral control debate is heating up and there is posturing,  poor decisions on projects like Medley Centre and the Rochester Soccer Stadium are coming back to bite tax payers.

Let’s start from the top.

Federal level

The dust is now covering the onlookers after last week’s implosion of Eric Massa:    Last week in the ICYMI,  I wrote  (prior to appearances on his last radio show, Beck, King) that Massa helped push the conversation in Washington.  Something, as a freshman Congressman, I suspect it is difficult to do.  I still believe that and appreciate that in a politician.

Over the weekend, Massa supporters planned and scheduled Monday as  Massa solidarity day suggesting that lawn signs be displayed.  An innocent event showing appreciation for someone who spoke his mind that was overshadowed by the Massa’s Sunday radio show.  A show I still haven’t found time to listen to but it wasn’t good.   The major theme was that the Democratic leadership got rid of the feisty Congressman.  Then Massa went on Glenn Beck and Larry King.  Stories about Rahm wagging his, um, finger, at Massa over a vote,  Massa bunking with staff members,  there was a claim about emails,  and stories from the Navy.   Ugh.  The stories never seemed to end.  The appearances - made travel through the stages of grief difficult.   In the end, as Ladkiddo wrote, time to remember what Massa brought to the district and to Congress.  A story that is overshadowed by Massa’s nationally televised implosion.

Meanwhile looks like Tom Reed is locking up the GOP line as one by one  Randy Kuhl,  Jill come lately County Executive Maggie Brooks drop out of consideration.

The Dem line?  Well, they still need a candidate.  Shawn Hogan is out, as is Mike Green, David Koon,

Meanwhile, national Democratic Committees are going into debt.

Looking West from Albany

Who exactly is Richard Ravitich?  A good read with links.

Local Scene

There were anti-Morelle robo calls - probably linked to his position in Mayoral Control.

Rochester City School graduation rates drop.  Or do they?  Again, it depends on what and how you measure.

ROBUTRAD - charges against Andy Moore were dismissed.

Looks like Scott Congel, Medley Centre developer  wannabe is going to get away with not paying his obligations.  No surprise here.

City News has a good article on the Rochester Soccer Stadium.  The City and Sports Authority say no, yet Albany lawmakers say yes, and guess what?  The stadium is in debt.

The Greece Police Chief is working to restore public trust - what exactly will it take?

Quick Clicks

Wingnuts continues - Terrorist lovers, Tom De Lay and some women singing in front of the White House (well a picture of the White House)

Save the Date: Howard Dean, March 25th - Geneva, NY

Terrorist trials - Military or Civilian courts? Civilian courts of course.  What, exactly, are we afraid of?

RIP Granny D - @ 89, this women walked across the country to raise awareness for campaign finance reform.  Upset about Massa or anyone else on the long list of  politicians who disappoint?  Well, look to Granny D as an example.  In the the end, you have the be the change you want to see in the world (H/T Ghandi).

You need to read this article in City News.  It details how we ended up paying 420K in annual subsidies for a Soccer Stadium that failed to met its obligations.  Hopefully, someday our State law makers will recognize that they are playing with real money.

Taxpayers will be protected. The stadium will revitalize the Brown Square neighborhood. Attendance will be strong. Other groups will clamor to use it.

The number of false, broken, and partly-realized promises attached to the Rhinos’ soccer stadium is staggering.

Why didn’t anyone see this coming, you say? Actually, they did. City officials rejected the team owners’ business plan for the stadium because it did not contain enough private funding, says a recently released audit by the state comptroller’s office. And the Greater Rochester Sports Authority, which was supposed to oversee the stadium, also begged off.

So, when one parent says no, the child asks the other

Undeterred, team owners went to state lawmakers and got their money: a $15 million grant to build the stadium was included in the 2000-01 state budget. Legislators approved the money, the audit says, without vetting the project to determine its viability. There was no up-to-date business plan, even though designs for the stadium had been drastically downsized. And no one made sure the team’s owners had the financial wherewithal to pull it off.

Gee, seems a lot like Maggie’s build RenSquare and the private money for the Arts Center will come, or the Fast Ferry, or probably any number of other home run projects.  Like say Medley Centre and Scott Congel.

The weakness in the article is that the state lawmakers which I assume means both the Assembly and the Senate are not identified nor are campaign contributions to local lawmakers from the interested parties.  Perhaps City News can follow up.

Looks like my election analysis in Irondequoit was more reliable than Irondequoit Town Supervisor Mary Joyce D’Aurizio’s gut feeling.  The question is how much does Scott Congel owe?  Is he still on the hook for $500K and is that on top of the $322K payment he just missed?

Via the D&C

IRONDEQUOIT — With a $322,000 payment overdue, the developers of the Medley Centre mall have been given a deadline of 15Monday to pay, or a previous payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement will be canceled.

That could mean the project is dead.

…

Representatives of the town, school district and COMIDA got together last week and subsequently sent a letter to Congel’s representatives with the demands, Abbott said.

Congel, who Abbott said is based in Denver, has not been accessible for comment. His representative, Jim LeBeau, could not be reached for comment, but he has repeatedly said that Congel has been working on financing arrangements.

It isn’t pretty for former Congressman Eric Massa.  His old shipmates tell their stories.   Like I said it isn’t pretty.  The question is - Is the last anchor to drop?  I suspect not.

(via the Atlantic)

According to Peter Clarke, a Navy shipmate, Massa was notorious for making unwanted advances toward subordinates. He tells the story of his friend Stuart Borsch, with whom Massa shared a hotel room while on leave during the first Gulf War. “Stuart’s at the edge of the bed,” Clarke says Borsch told him at the time, “and [Massa] starts massaging him. Massa said, ‘You’ll have to get one of my special massages.’ He called them ‘Massa Massages.’” Ron Moss, a Navy shipmate and Borsch’s roommate, confirmed that Borsch told him this story at the time.

Borsch, now a history professor at Assumption College in Worcester, Massachusetts, didn’t addresss that specific incident, but did confirm to me in an email that he was groped by Massa: “In 1990, aboard the U.S.S. Jouett, I was awakened when a senior officer, Lt. Commander Massa, seemed to be groping me. (I was a lieutenant at the time.) I believe he may have been drinking. I shouted at him and he left. I mentioned the incident to several other officers. I did not officially report it.”

Clarke says that Massa’s roommate, Tom Maxfield, was also assaulted. “Tom lived on upper bunk,” Clarke say. “When you’re on ship, you’re almost exhausted 24-7. So a lot of times you sleep with your uniform on. Tom and Massa shared a stateroom together. Massa climbed up on the top of his bunk, which is hard to do–you never crawl up on somebody else’s bunk. He wakes up to Massa undoing his pants trying to snorkel him.” Ron Moss also confirmed hearing this story from Maxfield. Maxfield did return calls and messages left for him–I’ll update if he does.

Massa’s shipmates didn’t turn him in for fear that he would retaliate. “He was a cocky guy, competent, but he saw himself as a future admiral,” Moss told me. “It doesn’t surprise me he wound up in Congress.”

No surprise here - the Rochester school district’s graduation dropped below 50% and critics of the schools are saying Mayoral Control will solve the problem.  Trouble is - the standards changed.

Via City News

For the 2008-2009 school year, the “on-time” graduation rate - for students who complete high school in four years -was 46 percent, a decline from the previous year’s 52 percent.

The district’s critics, predictably, are seizing on this, but they’re overlooking a pertinent qualifier: the state raised the graduation requirements. Comparing the two years, then, isn’t comparing apples to apples. It’s hard to say what the rate would have been for 2007-2008 had the requirements been the same.

And the fact is, using the old requirements, the district’s graduation rate had gone up three years in a row, from 39 percent in 2006 to 48 percent in 2007 to 52 percent in 2008.

This news is a bit old but important never the less.  The local GOP gets to say I told you so.  Recall Moore was accused of coercing former Robutrad worker Chris Gorman to sign an endorsement letter for a Republican county legislator

Via WHAM13

Rochester, N.Y. — All charges have been dropped against Penfield Town Board member Andy Moore, who had faced official misconduct and coercion charges in the Robutrad scandal.