"Metzger Is a Powerful Supporter of Farms" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

Metzger Is a Powerful Supporter of Farms

In a short year-and-a-half Senator Jen Metzger (D-Rosendale) has established herself as one of New York State government’s more important voices for agricultural interests.  On May 13^th she co-chaired a virtual New York State legislative hearing that examined the effects of federal COVID-related legislation on small businesses, especially farms and food industries.  Legislators heard testimonies from the New York Farm Bureau, the Cornell College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and other groups.  The hearing revealed that some aid is getting through to farmers, but they—like other American businesses—have  experienced late payments and difficulties with loan applications.  What was clear, as Metzger noted, is that agriculture fills a critical, particular niche in community life, and its challenges in this pandemic require thoughtful, targeted solutions. 

One thing we Americans have, gratefully, been able to rely on is the continuity of our food supply in stores—even as those of us facing economic devastation survive with the assistance of food banks.  Have we ever recognized so acutely the importance of our farmers, who now are struggling with vanishing markets and oversupply? 

As chair of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Metzger is well-positioned to defend and support agriculture in our region, and she has responded aggressively with successful advocacy and proposed bills:  restoring agriculture budget cuts, winning support for farming tax credits, advancing legislation to ensure the physical and mental health of farm workers.

Publishing history

Times Herald-Record                       5/28/20            

River Reporter                      5/26/20

"High Quality Broadband Is Critical for Student Learning'" Letter to the editor Tom Denton

High Quality Broadband Is Critical for Student Learning

Many of us in Ulster County have observed our own school age children and college students or have been listening to neighbors and friends weigh in on how their kids have fared the past two months with the abrupt, COVID-forced distance learning from schools.  Some students—mostly independent, highly motivated learners—have prospered academically, at least.  Others, whose skills and inclinations suggest they need social and supportive arrangements in schools to succeed, might have struggled with the online lessons our admirable educators have created in short order.  Nationally, we’re having critical debates about the extent to which online learning can or should be woven into future K-12 curricula and about the tuition charges higher education should demand for off-campus semesters.

These debates are moot for the many families whose neighborhoods and regions are poorly served by broadband.  These students without a quality internet connection are doomed to fall behind their more privileged peers.

Fortunately, Ulster has been well-served by its state and congressional representatives who have worked diligently to use the power of government to bring broadband to our underserved, often rural areas.  Senator Jen Metzger (D-Rosendale) has introduced bills that require the Public Service Commission to “study the availability, affordability, and reliability of high-speed internet and broadband access in New York State and produce a detailed access map on its website that indicates internet service by location.”  Another would require the Commission to be a more effective watchdog on internet providers, especially those with monopolies, to ensure they meet required standards.  Congressman Antonio Delgado (D-Rhinebeck) successfully pressed the Federal Communications Commission to direct federal funding to Ulster for broadband after it initially deemed the county unqualified.

Metzger and Delgado are examples of elected representatives who have kept their promises to improve the lives of the people who elected them.

Publishing history

Shawangunk Journal, Hudson Valley 360     5/28/20

Daily Freeman 5/23/