Tuesday evening, Democrats on the Schenectady County Legislature voted in favor of a local law sponsored by Susan E. Savage, Chair of the county Legislature, to require mandatory posting of caloric information on menus and menu boards in chain restaurants. Such information, clearly displayed at the point of decision, will allow consumers to make informed choices when they choose to eat out.
“It’s important that we provide the information necessary for individuals to make smart, educated choices about the food they are eating,” said Susan E. Savage, Chair of the County Legislature. “People will now be able to make informed choices thanks to this important legislation.”
Representatives of the American Cancer Society and other public health organizations attended the public hearing on the legislation and spoke in support of the measure. These groups were supported by recent research in favor of menu posting. A recent Stanford University study on calorie posting on restaurant menu boards at Starbucks shows that it lowers customers’ calorie counts per visit without harming business (Starbucks locations within 50 meters of a competitor actually had an increase in Starbucks revenue). Two studies from the American Journal of Public Health have demostrated the positive impact of calorie posting on allowing consumers to make informed decisions(June 2008, February 2010).
Schenectady County has joined New York City and Albany, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester Counties in requiring menu postings in New York State. The law was adopted by a vote of 12 to 2 (1 absent) with both Republicans on the county Legislature voting against this common sense legislation to provide consumers with more information.
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Sunday, March 14, 2010
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Monday, March 8, 2010
Decay and stagnation have given way to growth and renewal
Since the new Democratic Majority took leadership of the county Legislature, change for the better is happening in Schenectady County because Democrats at all levels of government in our county are working together. Even in these difficult economic times, the results have been dramatic. Already the new unified economic development team has delivered 3,300 new jobs, and $400 million in new private sector investment in our economy. Through hard work and vision, decay and stagnation have given way to growth and renewal.
A recent New York Times article about the changing perception of Schenectady among Union College students and officials shows more proof of the dramatic results that the new Democratic Majority has brought. Below are some quotes from the article:
"(Union College) Officials are trying to capitalize on the fact that downtown Schenectady, which had become a symbol of urban decay, has managed a marked turnaround in the past five years, with the $40 million renovation of its historic Proctors Theater and the opening of a six-screen movie theater, a handful of restaurants and a Hampton Inn. In addition, General Electric has brought hundreds of additional employees to Schenectady for its new renewable-energy headquarters."
"Around 2003, the city and Schenectady County began a commitment to rebuild the commercial base and improve facades along State Street and Broadway. In addition to G.E.’s renewable-energy headquarters, Schenectady attracted the Golub Corporation, the parent of the Price Chopper supermarket chain, which has just opened a new headquarters near campus with 800 employees. G.E. also plans to open a $100 million battery plant next year in a restored manufacturing building, with 350 positions. "
A recent New York Times article about the changing perception of Schenectady among Union College students and officials shows more proof of the dramatic results that the new Democratic Majority has brought. Below are some quotes from the article:
"(Union College) Officials are trying to capitalize on the fact that downtown Schenectady, which had become a symbol of urban decay, has managed a marked turnaround in the past five years, with the $40 million renovation of its historic Proctors Theater and the opening of a six-screen movie theater, a handful of restaurants and a Hampton Inn. In addition, General Electric has brought hundreds of additional employees to Schenectady for its new renewable-energy headquarters."
"Around 2003, the city and Schenectady County began a commitment to rebuild the commercial base and improve facades along State Street and Broadway. In addition to G.E.’s renewable-energy headquarters, Schenectady attracted the Golub Corporation, the parent of the Price Chopper supermarket chain, which has just opened a new headquarters near campus with 800 employees. G.E. also plans to open a $100 million battery plant next year in a restored manufacturing building, with 350 positions. "
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Reconciliation rules - an up or down vote
There is a lot of rhetoric out there about health care reform. Senate Democrats are considering using reconciliation rules for an up or down vote. Listen to Republican Judd Gregg explain reconciliation.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
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 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.”
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