Letter to the editor, Doris Chorny

We should welcome the fact that six mid-Hudson Valley candidates running for the New York State Senate formed a coalition to make things better for the people of our region.  There is greater strength in numbers.

State Senator Jen Metzger is one of the six, and that’s not surprising given how well she listens to and works with others.  The group intends to promote local PPE (personal protective equipment) manufacturing and distribution.  This addresses the Covid 19 pandemic and at the same time enhances our local economy.

The group also plans to take on the backward way New York State funds schools and town governments through property taxes.  Our property taxes are among the highest in the nation and have driven away so many New Yorkers that we’ve lost congressional seats. Albany is supposed to support education through state income taxes and if the state taxed income rather than the homes people live in, the burden would be shouldered much more fairly.

A vote for Senator Jen Metzger is a vote for a politician who works hard for us. 

" Metzger Champions Households" Letter to the editor, Tom Denton

Talk, talk, talk.  We’re accustomed to politicians who deliver the rhetorical flourishes during the elections campaigns—witness the strident, ominous verbiage we’re hearing from the GOP candidate for NY State Senate district 42—but we’re surprised and pleased when our elected officials bring to office a long record of achievements and expertise in a field….and then work to act on their knowledge and promises. 

Prior to her election in 2018, Senator Jen Metzger (D-Rosendale) was well-known as a founder of Citizens for Local Power, which fought utilities companies successfully to keep electric rates fair for customers.  Since becoming a senator, she has continued to advocate for the interests of private citizens over the utilities’ profits.  In the wake of tropical storm Isaias, she has urged Central Hudson to reimburse customers for losses suffered during power shutoffs. 

Most significant have been her efforts during the COVID crisis.  She co-sponsored  and passed senate bill S8113A, which forbids utilities and municipalities from shutting off gas, electric, water, and phone services through March 31, 2021 and lets customers set up deferred payment plans without financial penalties.

Consistency, integrity.  We can trust that Senator Metzger’s oversight of public utilities and defense of the public good will persist.

Publishing history:

            Sullivan County Democrat     River Reporter,      Shawangunk Journal 9/17/20

"A most precious resource" Letter to the editor, Doris Chorny

State Senator Jen Metzger cares about a most precious resource: our children.  Her cares translate into action and recent actions will benefit our children’s education and health.  She proposed S8805, a bill which passed with bipartisan support.  It will give access to affordable and reliable internet service to everyone in New York State which is especially vital during the pandemic when going to school means going online.

Jen knows that healthy children are more alert and learn better so she helped put together a farm-to-school food program for Ellenville.  Supported by federal and state grants, it will also address childhood obesity and bring more business to our local farmers.

It’s a win win!  And that’s what Jen Metzger is: a state senator, who listens to us, cares about us and moves bipartisan legislation to help us.

Vote to keep a good thing going!  Vote to keep Jen Metzger our state senator on November 3^rd or earlier.

Publishing history

River Reporter 9/10/20

letter to the editor, Hal Chrony

 Jen Metzger is is seeking a second term as your State Senator. She is a Democrat but in no way a pawn of the downstate Democrats as her opponent charged.

She has sponsored and seen passed many bills with wide bipartisan support. Those bills were good for everyone. She recently secured a $ 50,000.grant for the Wallkill Ambulance Corps to purchase an emergency response vehicle. She secured another $ 50,000. for the Wallkill Fire Department to buy a new generator for the new fire house, enabling it to be used as a shelter in emergencies. 

Wallkill is a town where Democratic electioneering signs can easily disappear or be destroyed. It is a known Republican stronghold but Jen Metzger is not stopped by party lines. She serves all the people of her district and does it very well. In this divisive climate she is a standout.