In the months leading up to its typical June break, the State Legislature will work its way through a number of bills. And Democratic Senator Ted O’Brien’s votes and positions on those issues will be closely watched by political and advocacy groups. O’Brien, like all state legislators, is up for election this year. And Republicans clearly […]
New York State Senate
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[UPDATED] Funke announces Senate run
In Facebook and Twitter posts this morning, former WHEC anchor Rich Funke has confirmed he plans to run for State Senate. Funke is making an official announcement at 10:30 a.m. at the Perinton Community Center. (Because of the impending snowstorm, the community center is closing at noon.) So far, Funke hasn’t said what Senate seat he’ll seek […]
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[UPDATED] Assembly Democrats want increase in child day care funding
For years, Monroe County’s child day care subsidy funding has been a concern of local child advocates. And during the 2014 county budget debates, a proposed $1.3 million cut in the county’s contribution to the programs became a major issue. Child advocates and Democratic legislators pushed for the funding to be restored. But administration officials, along […]
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Legislators’ environmental records ranked
Each year, Environmental Advocates of New York scores state legislators on their environmental voting records and yesterday, the group released this year’s rankings. The marks are based on legislators’ votes on a selection of environmental bills, including fracking moratorium measures, brownfield tax credit reform bills, climate change legislation, and a measure to corral wild boars. […]
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Violence on the mind
The manhunt following the tragedy in Boston ended Friday night better than it might have. Now we want answers. Why did these two young men – one of them little more than a boy, really – want to do this? Was the target of their hatred the marathon? Boston? The United States? Did they get […]
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Presidential election boosts local candidates
Local political observers say they’re not surprised that incumbent Democrat Louise Slaughter beat Republican Maggie Brooks, the Monroe County executive, in their Congressional contest. But they are surprised, they say, by Slaughter’s margin of victory. According to unofficial results from the Monroe County Board of Elections, Slaughter bested Brooks by about 15 percentage points, 166,342 […]
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Campaign mystery mail
Some voters in the 55th State Senate District have received campaign mailers ripping Democratic candidate Ted O’Brien for failing to take ethics training required as a member of the Monroe County Legislature. The mailers are factually wrong. O’Brien did take the training and he’s got the documentation to prove it. But the mailings highlight a […]
