"Republicans need to play fair & be informed" Letter t the editor Doris Chorny

It’s time to set the record straight regarding Congressman Antonio Delgado (D19): he has never been a fan of ‘defunding the police’ or cashless bail, as Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro would have us believe.  Molinaro ought to know that cashless bail was voted on by the New York State government and Delgado, as a member of the US Congress, has nothing to do with that.

What he did do in the House of Representatives was to support the bi-partisan Invest in Law Enforcement Act. This would send federal dollars to rural police departments to improve recruitment and training practices.  The Act was applauded by multiple police, sheriff and state trooper organizations.

Is it too much to ask Republicans to play fair and be informed?

Publishing history:

Hudson Valley One 4/27/22

"American workers are gaining power" letter to the editor Tom Denton

For decades, American corporations have strengthened their hold over the American worker. CEO compensation has soared while employees have seen their real wages stagnate or decrease; their once-secure benefits vanish; their ability to organize unions restricted; their mobility in pursuit of better lives brought to a halt. Corporate donors have fed the Republican politicians committed to maintaining that status quo.

The COVID disaster has shaken the corporate stranglehold, and Democrats in Congress and the President have pushed hard for change. They passed the American Rescue Plan—with no GOP votes—to keep the economy afloat while Americans could slowly recover from the pandemic devastation.

Workers’ comeback has been fast. Under President Biden, the nation has recovered over six million jobs, the fastest in history.  The unemployment rate is at historic lows, with new claims down to nearly unimaginable totals. Even better, wages have increased significantly, and workers are now finding new power to demand health benefits, retirement plans, and flexibility in scheduling. Remote communication has translated into increased worker negotiation power and opportunities. Employees now can dream again about relocating to improve their families’ lives, not being frozen in a precarious job status.

Price increases, attributable to supply line distributions, corporate price gouging, and the overseas war have tempered wage gains. The Federal Reserve is making moves to cool the economy, and the Biden administration is acting to bring down the prices of gas and prescription drugs.

When prices drop to much lower levels, as they will, strong wage gains and improved standards of living will remain. There are good reasons to believe that American workers like their new power and will fight to keep it. They should think hard about which political party will have their backs. What does history tell us? Democrats deliver for workers

Publishing hisory:

daily freeman April 10, 2022

"Speak out in support of climate initiatives" Letter to the editor Ted Millar

New Yorkers concerned about the climate crisis are waiting right now: waiting for the New York State budget to be finalized, waiting for hearings to begin on the Climate Action Council’s draft scoping plan, and, as ever, waiting for people to wake up to the urgent need to get off fossil fuels. Yes, that includes you and me.

Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Carl Heastie should provide $1 billion in state funds annually for all-electric housing initiatives and incentives and back priority climate legislation to decarbonize our buildings.

The Climate Action Council was charged with devising policies to achieve the goals laid out in the 2019 climate law to achieve mandated reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. New Yorkers will be able to weigh in soon on the CAC’s plan, and we need to push our elected leaders to be bold.

Finally, there is individual responsibility. Like the Germans, who are asking citizens to reduce energy use to decrease Germany’s reliance on gas from Russia, we need to conserve. Turn down the thermostat and put on a sweater. Drive slower. Better yet, buy an electric vehicle instead of a gas car and look into heat pumps to replace your aging furnace or water heater.

Meanwhile, oil and gas companies are advertising heavily, advocating less regulation and more fossil fuels, as if there is no climate crisis. Don’t let them fool you. Speak out for the right climate policies now.  We don’t have time to wait.

publishing hisory:

Daily freeman April 1, 2022