Ted O’Brien, the assistant state attorney general for the Rochester region and a former state senator, battled COVID-19 for 68 days.
Ted O’Brien
Posted inNews & Opinion
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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Parsing O’Brien’s recent independent streak
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 […]
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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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Unshackle Upstate wants fracking, lower taxes
Unshackle Upstate has released a five-point plan for job growth and lower taxes in the parts of the state that aren’t New York City. The plan focuses primarily on eliminating or changing certain taxes and surcharges. But Unshackle officials are also highlighting the potential benefits fracking the Marcellus Shale. During a press conference this morning […]
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Commission sides with politicians on Indian Point power replacement plan
The state Public Service Commission appears to agree with upstate elected officials who say that the ratepayers they represent shouldn’t bear costs associated with closing the Indian Point nuclear plant. At issue is a plan submitted by Consolidated Edison and the New York Power Authority to replace the power generated by Indian Point, if the […]
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Power play
The powers that be want to close a nuclear plant that provides electricity to downstate, but upstate ratepayers shouldn’t be on the hook for that decision, State Senator Ted O’Brien says. | Federal licenses for Indian Point Energy Center’s two operating reactors expire soon: one at the end of September, the other in 2015. And […]
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O’Brien says upstaters shouldn’t have to pay for Indian Point closing
The powers that be want to close a nuclear plant that provides electricity to downstate, but upstate ratepayers shouldn’t be on the hook for that decision, state Senator Ted O’Brien says. Federal licenses for Indian Point Energy Center’s two operating reactors expire soon: one at the end of September, the other in 2015. And some […]
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A pre-session push on campaign finance reform
Ted O’Brien isn’t seated in the State Senate yet, but he’s already joining fellow Democrats calling for campaign finance reform. Specifically, he’s backing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, which is essentially a conceptual plan that includes public financing of campaigns. Last month, O’Brien defeated Republican Sean Hanna for an open seat in the Senate. The contest […]
