Republican State Senate Rich Funke has signed on to legislation that would ban some heavy metals and toxic chemicals from children’s products. Funke was originally set to announce his support for the legislation, the Child Safe Products Act, last month, but he pulled out of a scheduled press conference. His spokesperson said that he was […]
New York State Senate
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Relich says Skelos should give up leadership post
Monroe County Republican Party chair Bill Reilich has joined the ranks of the state GOP leaders calling for Dean Skelos to resign his post as Senate majority leader. Earlier this week, federal prosecutors charged Skelos with conspiracy, extortion, wire fraud, and soliciting bribes. He’s accused of taking actions that would benefit two companies, as long […]
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Groups again pushing for legislation prohibiting toxic chemicals in children’s products
Environmental groups and some local leaders are again pushing for state lawmakers to pass the Child Safe Products Act. The legislation would ban certain toxic chemicals and heavy metals — arsenic, mercury, lead, cadmium, and benzene — from children’s products including clothing, toys, car seats, and furniture. The Assembly passed the legislation by a wide […]
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State budget will include emissions reductions funding
State lawmakers have their eyes on a multi-state greenhouse gas cap-and-trade program as a source of revenue for the 2015-16 state budget. According to an article published on Capital, the state political news website, Governor Andrew Cuomo and the State Senate have proposed sweeping funding from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative into the forthcoming state […]
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Drawing the line on sex offenders
Len Douangtavilay, a Level 3 sex offender, once lived 200 feet from athletic fields used by Penfield youth. The discovery of this fact has prompted Penfield officials to propose residency restrictions on sex offenders, potentially putting Penfield in conflict with state law. New York’s courts assign sex offenders a Level 1, 2, or 3 designation, […]
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O’Brien and Funke go on the attack at first debate
Rochester Rotary events are usually polite, cordial affairs. But today the organization hosted the first debate between Democratic State Senator Ted O’Brien and his opponent, Republican Rich Funke. And both candidates seemed to have the same strategy: go for the throat. Funke was up first for opening remarks, and he drew on his background as […]
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O’Brien has earned a second term
Even before Democratic State Senator Ted O’Brien had a challenger, New York politicos knew his re-election battle would be tough; he’s a freshman legislator in a competitive district, and Republicans were clear that they’d be gunning for the seat. Then Republican Rich Funke entered the race, and it virtually guaranteed that the 55th Senate District […]
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Siena Poll puts Funke well ahead of O’Brien in Senate race
Democrat Ted O’Brien is in jeopardy of losing his State Senate seat, if today’s Siena College Research Institute poll is to be believed. The poll gives Republican Rich Funke, the former local news and sports anchor who’s challenging O’Brien, a 25-point lead. For the poll, 471 likely voters in the 55th Senate District were surveyed […]
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O’Brien, environmental group push fracking legislation
New York has a de facto moratorium on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, but some of the state’s landfills and water treatment plants have been taking in out-of-state fracking wastes. Some local governments — none in Monroe County — have even used brine from fracked wells to de-ice roads. During a press conference this afternoon, Democratic State […]
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Primaries unlikely to ease tensions for Democrats
The 29th Legislative District in Northeast Rochester may be the epicenter of this year’s primary elections. The district has more Democratic primaries than any other part of Monroe County. Primary elections will be held on Tuesday, September 9. There’s a three-way City Court contest between William Gargan, Michael Lopez, and Leticia Astacio in the 29th. […]
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All eyes on Ted O’Brien
State Senator Ted O’Brien is not in an easy spot. The first-term Democrat faces a tough re-election bid against Republican Rich Funke, a political newcomer and former anchor for WHEC. And some people are wondering if the race is already influencing O’Brien’s actions. Recently, O’Brien broke sharply from his party on a couple of controversial, […]
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Funke joins Senate race
Republican leaders say Rich Funke’s name recognition and journalism background, combined with his familiarity with state issues and his record of community service make him the ideal candidate for State Senate. Funke announced last week that he’ll seek the GOP endorsement to run for the 55th District seat against Democratic incumbent Ted O’Brien. The race […]
