NATIONAL GRID AWARDS NEARLY $1 MILLION IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GRANTS TO SCHENECTADY PROJECTS

National Grid has awarded nearly $1 million to further develop and enhance two major economic development projects in Schenectady County.

“Schenectady County’s economic development team works closely every day with National Grid to bring new jobs and new investment to our community. We appreciate National Grid’s commitment to rebuilding our economy. These two grants helped our economic development team secure almost $70 million in new investments in our County,” said Vincent DiCerbo, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature’s Committee on Economic Development and Planning.

Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Investments in our cities are investments that pay off for the entire region in terms of economic development, jobs and recreation. I want to thank National Grid for working in partnership with government and other local businesses to improve and strengthen the downtown Schenectady area and contribute to its vibrant rebirth.”

Metroplex has received a $763,000 grant to benefit a project that will link State Street and the Proctors block redevelopment area in downtown Schenectady to Union College and Union Graduate College. The project includes the rehabilitation and expansion of Center City, a $30 million mixed use commercial, retail, and tech complex that also features a new YMCA branch. A new five-story addition to Center City is currently under construction. The new pedestrian walkway that will link Center City to the two colleges will include energy efficient LED lighting and will serve as a connector between the two colleges and the growing downtown.

In addition, National Grid provided a $200,000 Brownfield Redevelopment Assistance grant for the cleanup of the ten-acre former “Big N” site. As a result of this rehabilitation project, the site was chosen as the home of the new, LEED certified Golub Headquarters, a $30 million project that is nearing completion just a few blocks from the new Center City complex. The new Golub Headquarters will bring 850 jobs to downtown Schenectady and represents a $37 million investment.

Estimates on how the health care reform legislation will impact the 21st Congressional District

Editor's Note: I normally try to keep these posts short so they are quick updates. Considering the importance of today's planned health care votes, I thought it critical to show everyone what this means for us in the 21st Congressional District. Below is the complete text of the House Energy and Commerce Committee's estimates on how the health care reform legislation to be voted on this weekend will impact the 21st Congressional District.

"The U.S. House of Representatives will soon vote on health care reform legislation. This legislation will make health care affordable for the middle class, provide security for seniors, and guarantee access to health insurance for the uninsured – while reducing the federal deficit by over $100 billion over the next decade. This analysis examines the benefits of the legislation in the 21st Congressional District of New York, which is represented by Rep. Paul Tonko.

In Rep. Tonko’s district, the health care reform bill will:
 Improve coverage for 439,000 residents with health insurance.
 Give tax credits and other assistance to up to 149,000 families and 14,500 small businesses to help them afford coverage.
 Improve Medicare for 113,000 beneficiaries, including closing the donut hole.
 Extend coverage to 16,500 uninsured residents.
 Guarantee that 6,900 residents with pre-existing conditions can obtain coverage.
 Protect 1,100 families from bankruptcy due to unaffordable health care costs.
 Allow 59,000 young adults to obtain coverage on their parents’ insurance plans.
 Provide millions of dollars in new funding for 8 community health centers.
 Reduce the cost of uncompensated care for hospitals and other health care providers by $71 million annually.

Affordable High-Quality Health Care for the Middle Class

Essential health insurance reforms. Approximately 66% of the district (439,000 residents) receives health care coverage from an employer or through policies purchased on the individual market. Under the legislation, individuals with insurance can keep the coverage they have now, and it will get better. The insurance reforms in the bill prohibit annual and lifetime limits, eliminate rescissions for individuals who become ill while insured, ban coverage denials for pre-existing conditions, and reduce the cost of preventive care. To rein in soaring insurance costs, the reforms also limit the amount insurance companies can spend on administrative expenses, profits, and other overhead.

Historic health care tax cuts. Those who do not receive health care coverage through their employer will be able to purchase coverage at group rates through the new health insurance exchange. To make this insurance affordable, the legislation contains the largest middle-class tax cut for health care in history, providing middle class families with incomes up to $88,000 for a family of four with tax credits to help pay for coverage in the exchange. For a family of four making $50,000, the average tax credit will be approximately $5,800. There are 149,000 households in the district that could qualify for these credits if they purchase health insurance through the exchange or, in the case of households with incomes below 133% of poverty, receive coverage through Medicaid.

Coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions. There are 6,900 uninsured individuals in the district who have pre-existing medical conditions like cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. Under the bill’s insurance reforms, they cannot be denied affordable coverage.

Financial security for families. There were 1,100 health care-related bankruptcies in the district in 2008, caused primarily by the health care costs not covered by insurance. The bill caps annual out-of-pocket costs at $6,200 for individuals and $12,400 for families who purchase insurance through the exchange or who are insured by small businesses. It also eliminates annual and lifetime limits on all insurance coverage. These reforms ensure that no family will have to face financial ruin because of high health care costs.

Security for Seniors

Improving Medicare. There are 113,000 Medicare beneficiaries in the district. The legislation improves their benefits by providing free preventive and wellness care, improving primary and coordinated care,and enhancing nursing home care. The bill also strengthens the Medicare Trust Fund, extending its solvency from 2017 to 2026.

Closing the Part D donut hole. Each year, 7,300 Medicare beneficiaries in the district enter the Part D donut hole and are forced to pay the full cost of their prescription drugs. Under the bill, these beneficiaries will receive a $250 rebate in 2010, 50% discounts on brand name drugs beginning in 2011, and complete closure of the donut hole within a decade. A typical beneficiary who enters the donut hole will see savings of over $700 in 2011 and over $3,000 by 2020.

New Coverage Options for Young Adults

New lower-cost health care options for young adults. The legislation will allow young adults to remain on their parents’ policies until they turn 26. There are 59,000 young adults in the district who could benefit from this option. For individuals under age 30, the bill creates new, inexpensive policies that allow them to obtain protection from catastrophic health care costs.

Helping Small Businesses

Helping small businesses obtain health insurance. Under the legislation, small businesses with 100 employees or less will be able to join the health insurance exchange, benefiting from group rates and a greater choice of insurers. There are 16,600 small businesses in the district that could benefit from this provision.

Tax credits for small businesses. Small businesses with 25 employees or less and average wages of less than $50,000 will qualify for tax credits of up to 50% of the costs of providing health insurance. There are up to 14,500 small businesses in the district that could qualify for these credits.

Covering the Uninsured
Coverage of the uninsured. The legislation would extend coverage to 95% of all Americans. If this level of coverage is reached in the district, 16,500 residents who currently do not have health insurance will receive coverage.

Relieving the burden of uncompensated care. In 2008, health care providers in the district provided uncompensated care to individuals who lacked insurance coverage and were unable to pay their bills. Under the legislation, these costs of uncompensated care will be reduced by $71 million.

Supporting community health centers. There are 8 community health centers in the district that provide health care to the poor and medically underserved. Nationwide, the legislation would provide $11 billion in new funding for these centers. If the community health centers in the district receive the average level of support, the 8 centers will receive $10.4 million in new assistance.

Deficit Responsibility

No deficit spending. The cost of health care reform under the legislation is fully paid for, in large part by eliminating waste, fraud, abuse, and excessive profits for private insurers. The legislation will reduce the deficit by $130 billion over the next ten years, and by about $1.2 trillion over the second decade.

This analysis is based upon the following sources: the U.S. Census (data on insurance rates, small businesses, and young adult population); the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (data on Medicare and Part D enrollment); the Department of Health and Human Services (data on health carerelated bankruptcies, uncompensated care, and pre-existing conditions); the Health Resources and Services Administration (data on community health centers); and the Congressional Budget Office (estimates of the percentage of citizens with health insurance coverage under health care reform legislation)."

Congressman Tonko annouces federal grant to boost Schenectady High School's graduation rate

Congressman Paul Tonko recently announced that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded the Schenectady School District and Schenectady High School a $6,270,000 million grant through the Department’s Mentoring, Educational, and Employment Strategies to Improve Academic, Social and Career Pathway Outcomes grant program.

“This is an important grant for Schenectady High School, which will help create a learning environment that will help get students on the right track,” said Congressman Tonko. “Schenectady High has come up with an impressive plan to improve it’s graduation rate, and deal with the family and social issues which have impacted student performance. I am committed to continuing my partnership with the Schenectady School District to ensure that all students have the chance to learn and succeed.”

The district has developed a plan in concert with the community to address problems including how to improve the graduation rate. The highlights of the plan that will be funded through this grant include:

•A freshman academy for incoming 9th graders
•The addition of a digital academy in a satellite location to relieve overcrowding at the high school campus
•Anti-bullying programs and school climate initiatives to improve student behavior
•Counseling and mentoring for at risk students
•College and career exploration programs
•Employment opportunities that would allow students to earn money and avoid gang involvement

For more information, please click here.

NEW YORKERS BEING 'HELD HOSTAGE' BY REPUBLICANS

Republicans are holding hostage thousands of Americans' unemployment benefits and endangering access to health care. In New York State alone, 85,647 people will lose their unemployment benefits by the end of March if Republican Senator Jim Bunning of Kentucky is allowed to continue his efforts to prevent a vote on emergency legislation. This important legislation provides a 30-day extension of unemployment insurance, help for unemployed workers in paying for health care(COBRA), small business loan guarantees, the highway bill, and flood insurance. Roll Call quotes Republican Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah telling reporters, “This is not as big of a deal as some of you are trying to make it.” The Republican Party doesn't get it. Maybe this isn't a big deal to them, but it is to the thousands of families whose homes and health care are at risk.

Congressman Paul Tonko made the following statement today after Republican Kentucky Senator Jim Bunning again blocked the passage of emergency legislation to extend a number of programs:

“It’s sad that the nation’s unemployed, transportation workers, uninsured and seniors are being held hostage by one member of the United States Senate,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “If this is the level of respect Senate Republicans are displaying towards their public obligations as elected officials it’s a shame.

“In the greater Capital Region and Mohawk Valley 600 people have lost their unemployment benefits and we can add another 500 people to that list if nothing is done by the end of this week. These unemployment benefits are a lifeline to people who have been stung hard by this very deep and long recession. This is not the time to play political games. It is time for Republicans in the Senate to focus on the needs of the American People, who want nothing more than to pay their bills and put food on the table.”

Congressman Tonko votes to restore competition, fairness in Health Insurance Marketplace

Congressman Paul Tonko voted for the Health Insurance Industry Fair Competition Act which will take away the anti-trust exemption for health insurance companies, requiring them to compete fairly and adhere to the same anti-trust laws as other companies.

“For too long, Americans have been had by health insurance companies that don’t play by the rules,” said Congressman Tonko. “Middle-class families are facing higher premiums, a lower quality of coverage and limited choices – all while monopoly health insurance companies are jacking up prices and turning record profits. Enough is enough.”

For 65 years, the health insurance industry has been legally exempt from anti-trust laws, and the federal government was banned from even investigating evidence of possible collusion. In the last 14 years alone, there have been 400 mergers among health insurers and now 94% of all insurance markets are “highly concentrated” – meaning consumers have little or no choice between insurance providers.

“Competition is the core principle of our economy,” Congressman Tonko continued. “And for consumers, it’s a guarantee of two things: more choices and lower costs. It is the engine that drives economic growth, spurs American innovation and ensures that consumers are getting a fair deal. This bill creates a fair health insurance marketplace and helps put our economy on sound footing for the future.”

For more information, please click here.

Credit Card Reform

The Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act, co-sponsored by Congressman Paul Tonko, went into effect yesterday, providing consumers with important protections.

Click here for a fact sheet about the new law.

Below is a summary of some of the major provisions:

Ends Unfair, Arbitrary Interest Rate Increases
--Prevents card companies from unfairly increasing interest rates on existing card balances – retroactive increases are permitted only if a cardholder is more than 30 days late, if a promotional rate expires, if the rate adjusts as part of a variable rate, or if the cardholder fails to comply with a workout agreement.
--Requires card companies to give 45 days notice of all interest rate increases or significant contract changes (e.g. fees).


Lets Consumers Set Hard Credit Limits, Stops Excessive “Over-the-Limit” Fees
--Requires companies to let consumers set their own fixed credit limit that cannot be exceeded.
--Prevents companies from charging “over-the-limit” fees when a cardholder has set a limit, or when a preauthorized credit “hold” pushes a consumer over their limit.
--Limits (to 3) the number of over-the-limit fees companies can charge for the same transaction – some issuers now charge virtually unlimited fees for a single violation.


Ends Unfair Penalties for Cardholders Who Pay on Time
--Ends unfair “double cycle” billing – card companies couldn’t charge interest on debt consumers have already paid on time.
--If a cardholder pays on time and in full, the bill prevents card companies from piling additional fees on balances consisting solely of left-over interest.
--Prohibits card companies from charging a fee when customers pay their bill.


Requires Fair Allocation of Consumer Payments
--Many companies credit payments to a cardholder’s lowest interest rate balances first, making it impossible for the consumer to pay off high-rate debt. The bill bans this practice, requiring payments made in excess of the minimum to be allocated proportionally or to the balance with the highest interest rate.


Protects Cardholders from Due Date Gimmicks
--Requires card companies to mail billing statements 21 calendar days before the due date (up from the current 14 days), and to credit as “on time” payments made before 5 p.m. local time on the due date.
--Extends due date to next business day for mailed payments when the due date falls on a day a card company does not accept or receive mail (i.e. Sundays and holidays).


Prevents Companies from Using Misleading Terms and Damaging Consumers’ Credit Ratings
--Establishes standard definitions of terms like “fixed rate” and “prime rate” so companies can’t mislead or deceive consumers in marketing and advertising.
--Gives consumers who are pre-approved for a card the right to reject that card prior to activation without negatively affecting their credit scores.


Protects Vulnerable Consumers From High-Fee Subprime Credit Cards
--Prohibits issuers of subprime cards (where total yearly fixed fees exceed 25 percent of the credit limit) from charging those fees to the card itself. These cards are generally targeted to low-income consumers with weak credit histories.


Bars Issuing Credit Cards to Vulnerable Minors
--Prohibits card companies from knowingly issuing cards to individuals under 18 who are not emancipated.


Requires Better Data Collection from Credit Card Industry
--Requires reports to Congress by the Federal Reserve on credit card industry practices to enhance congressional oversight.


Swift Implementation of 45-Day Notice Requirement
--Requires card companies to send out 45-day notice of interest rate increases 90-days after the bill is signed into law; the remainder of the bill takes effect 12 months after enactment.

New York to receive federal funds for double tracking from Schenectady to Albany

Congressman Paul Tonko recently announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded more than $151 million in funding for high speed rail in upstate New York, which comes on the back of over $4.5 million in the FY 2010 Transportation Appropriations bill. This funding will include construction of a second track along the rail corridor between the Schenectady and Albany-Rensselaer train stations. Combined, these investments will better the local economy and improve trip time for more than 56 weekly passenger trains and over 350 weekly cargo trains.

"This will help our economic development efforts by improving rail service, reliability and creating future opportunities for high-speed rail service," said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature.

“These investments are welcomed news in the Capital Region” said Congressman Tonko. “By investing in double tracking between Schenectady and Albany we can help develop the economy of downtown Schenectady, the only city in the region with a downtown train station, and improve trip time not only for those in the region but for travel across Upstate New York. I want to thank the Upstate New York delegation, led by Chairwoman Louise Slaughter, for working hard to deliver this investment to help revitalize our Upstate economy.” Click here for Congressman Tonko's complete release.

“This is great news for New York,” Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said. “Building high-speed rail here will connect more commuters and businesses, create jobs immediately and help rebuild our economy for the long term. We’ve worked hard for a long time to bring high-speed rail to New York. This round of funding is just the first step in our efforts to secure what New York needs to achieve true high-speed rail connectivity. I will keep fighting to make sure New York gets more high speed rail funding in future rounds.”

Congressman Tonko Announces Federal Job Training Funds for Schenectady

Congressman Paul Tonko recently announced the Municipal Housing Authority of the City of Schenectady will receive $55,533 from the Housing and Urban Development’s Family Self Sufficiency Program. These funds are awarded to public housing authorities to hire a program coordinator who will enable local residents to gain more access to training opportunities for jobs, job placement organizations as well as local employers.

“These investments will enable those who are unemployed, and many of whom have been for a long period, the opportunity to retrain and retool their skills to ensure they can get back to work and help get the economy moving again,” said Rep. Tonko. “These local hires will help locally unemployed people find work and put their skills back to work. We must continue to focus on rebuilding our economy, which is my top priority. Creating sound jobs on the road to recovery takes investments such as this to help bring down the unemployment rate and retrain the workforce of the future.”

For more information, click here.

Niskayuna-based GE Global Research receives stimulus grants for energy saving, next generation lighting projects

Congressman Paul Tonko recently annouced that GE Global Research in Niskayuna has been awarded two grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act totaling $5.77 million for high-efficiency solid-state lighting projects. Solid-state lighting (SSL), which uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) instead of standard incandescent bulbs, has the potential to be ten times more energy efficient than current sources.

“These smart investments that we are making today will soon pay off with more energy efficient lighting that will cut our energy use and ultimately our reliance on imported foreign oil,” said Rep. Tonko. “These funds will also position our country and American companies like GE as global leaders in the creation of this energy efficient technology, and potentially create new jobs due to the cutting edge research done right here in our community.”

The green economy is taking shape right here in Schenectady County thanks to the hardwork and leadership of Schenectady County Democrats.

For more information on these grants, click here.

Congressman Tonko announces funding to help Union College collect and analyze intelligence

Congressman Paul Tonko recently announces the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) release of funding for a project at Union College entitled “Collaborative Research: Measuring and Modeling Collective Intelligence.” This project would attempt to use vast computer networks to create new kinds of intelligent entities that combine the best of both human and machine intelligence. A key to this human-centered computing system is finding a better way to measure the collective intelligence they exhibit.

“This program is a great example of some of the cutting edge research going on in our colleges and universities and represents the kind of bold ideas and innovation that will lead to future scientific discoveries,” said Rep. Tonko. “I commend the work of Union College in attempting to compile this information to understand and solve some of the most complex systems of data and intelligence. Ultimately the solutions discovered in Schenectady will enable us to solve some of the most difficult and complex problems we face.”

Such a system seeks to provide powerful tools for managing and designing intelligence systems. The idea is to provide a collective test of intelligence to groups such as management teams to predict their future performance on a wide range of tasks. The test could then suggest changes the team could make to improve flexibility or effectiveness. People and computers are poised to solve problems together both in an efficient and intelligent manner.

The Division of Information and Intelligent Systems at NSF has provided Union College with $173,908.00 to carry out this research over the next three years, in collaboration with MIT and Carnegie Mellon University. It will also have key implications for computer-supported cooperative work, human-computer interaction, artificial intelligence, as well as cognitive science, social psychology and organization theory.

Senator Gillibrand and Congressman Tonko visit Schenectady launching effort to combat senior fraud

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko joined Susan E. Savage, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature and Mayor Brian Stratton at Proctors recently to discuss efforts to combat senior fraud. On the federal level, Senator Gillibrand announced several bills she will be introducing to increase criminal and civil penalties for defrauding seniors and incentivize states to educate and protect seniors. Chairwoman Savage also announced a local initiative intended to help educate and protect seniors in our community.

Read more news coverage here.

Congressman Tonko's speech on Healthcare Reform

TONKO VOTES TO RESTORE FISCAL DISCIPLINE

Congressman Paul Tonko recently voted in favor of the restoration of PAYGO, which passed the House of Representatives. In 2002, the borrow-and-spend Republicans who controlled Congress let PAYGO expire and ran up major deficits.

“This legislation is very simple: Congress can only spend a dollar in one place if it saves it in another,” said Congressman Tonko. “Just as families cut back on eating at a restaurant to pay for a new amenity, Congress must make difficult balancing decisions. We need to confront the enormous deficits we’re facing, bring an end to years of fiscal irresponsibility, and put this country back on a fiscally sustainable path.”

Congressman Tonko added, “We must balance short-term deficit spending for the economic recovery with a commitment to restoring fiscal discipline in the long-term. The large deficits that we inherited from the previous administration as a result of the reckless borrow-and-spend policies have put pressure on funding for our important priorities, such as health care reform, clean energy and education. PAYGO will be a powerful impediment to reckless tax cuts financed by debt.”

For more information, click here.

AMENDMENT ADDED TO HEALTH REFORM BILL

An amendment offered by Congressman Paul Tonko to the historic health reform bill was adopted during a marathon mark-up session in the House Education and Labor Committee. The Tonko amendment, which was approved along with a package of other amendments to America’s Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009 (H.R. 3200), addresses shortcomings to the mental health and substance abuse coverage in the bill.

“Mental health conditions and addiction are preventable and treatable chronic diseases – just like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. This amendment will ensure that that these individuals will get the screenings that will lead to diagnoses and hopefully treatment.” said Congressman Tonko. “We need to help those who are vulnerable get the help they need, give doctors the tools to provide services most effectively, and produce long-term savings in prevention that are shared by all in society. This amendment is the first step.”

Click here for more information.

Congressman Paul Tonko votes for landmark energy legislation

Foreign energy sources often involving dangerous associations and the threat of global warming to not only our economy but our very way of life necessitate bold action. Congressman Paul Tonko and House Democrats recently worked to ensure the passage of the American Clean Energy and Security Act, a bill that will create millions of new clean energy jobs, protect the environment, and enhance America’s energy independence.

“This bill is a bold step towards changing our nation’s direction on energy policy, reducing our gluttonous dependence on fossil fuels, and sparking a new economy built on innovation that creates American jobs that cannot be exported,” said Rep. Tonko. “It’s crucial that we act now and push forward with research and development on cutting edge alternative energy technologies, because it’s our opportunity to be the leader in the 21st Century global economy.”

Click here for more information on this important legislation.

Stimulus funds provide important boost to local job training programs

According to the programs website "YouthBuild Schenectady is a 12-month program that helps young adults ages 18-24 from Schenectady County earn a GED while getting paid to build affordable housing. Participants receive six months of classroom instruction and onsite construction training and six months of job placement and support services." In this uncertain economy caused by the Bush Recession, programs such as this have an even more important role in work force training and development.

Thanks to funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which was passed with help from both of our Senators, Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, and our Congressman Paul Tonko, YouthBuild Schenectady will receive $687,500 to teach "green" job skills.

Green collar jobs are considered to be a major part of the future workforce and, thanks to this funding stream, local youths will now be learning these critical skills.

For more news coverage, click here.

President Obama signs Credit Card Reform

President Obama was joined by Senator Charles Schumer for the signing of the important the Credit Card Accountability, Responsiblity, and Disclosure Act of 2009. Congressman Paul Tonko co-sponsored this important legislation.

Click here for a fact sheet about the new law.

Watch the video of President Obama's signing below.

Tonko Supports Green Schools Act

Congressman Paul Tonko recently voted in support of the 21st Century Green High Performing Public School Facilities Act, which will invest in modernizing, upgrading and repairing school facilities across the country. This legislation will improve education, create jobs and encourage energy efficiency and the use of renewable fuels in our schools.

“These new funds will allow schools to make badly needed repairs to their buildings at a time when state governments are cutting back their education aid,” said Rep. Tonko. “Healthy and high performance schools reduce indoor environment hazards and are energy efficient. Every child deserves a safe, clean and healthy environment in which to learn and this bill is the first step in achieving that goal.”

For more information, click here.

Tonko Votes in Favor of Credit Card Protections

Congressman Paul Tonko recently voted to approve the Credit Cardholders’ Bill of Rights Act, which he also co-sponsored.

“We need to put these common-sense regulations in place to protect consumers from credit card companies which have resorted to gimmicks and underhanded tactics to make bigger profits on the backs of working families,” said Rep. Tonko. “We must put an end to the abusive practices that are driving Americans deeper and deeper into debt. We need to build an economy that rewards hard work and responsibility, not one built on maxed-out credit cards.”


Click here for more information on this important legislation.

Niskayuna-based GE Global Research receives major stimulus investment

Senators Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand announced millions in investments for energy research at Niskayuna-based General Electric Global Research to advance innovation and technology in renewable energy to combat global warming and fuel New York’s economy for the long term. The investment from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Congressman Paul Tonko helped pass earlier this year.

“Providing funds to world class research institutions will not only create jobs in New York in the short term, but will save consumers money by allowing them to buy less fuel, make us safer by fostering energy independence, and allow us to keep our resources here at home, instead of shipping them overseas,” said Senator Schumer.

“By investing in research and innovation, we can relieve our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs in New York,” Senator Gillibrand said. “New York is home to the world’s leading scientists and research institutions, which are working to develop the next generation of energy technology. These institutions provide crucial economic engines in every corner of our state. I will continue to work with Senator Schumer and the Obama Administration to direct federal dollars to develop the renewable energy industry in New York.”

The green economy is taking shape right here in Schenectady County thanks to the hardwork and leadership of Schenectady County Democrats. The Daily Gazette on February 22, 2009 quoted Jan Smith, spokeswoman for GE Energy, as saying "When the new group came in, they said we should have a climate for change. There has been an effort on [their part] to work with us and us with them." The article further stated "Smith credited the changed environment with GE's decision to locate 500 jobs related to solar and wind power generation."

Click here for more information.