President Obama at the Close of the G8 Summit

President Obama speaks to the press at the end of the G8 Summit at Camp David.

President Obama Speaks Before G8 Working Session on the Global Economy

President Obama discusses some of the issues on the agenda for the first working session of the G8 meeting at Camp David.

Weekly Address: Congress Must Move Forward, Not Back On Wall Street Reform

President Obama discusses the reforms to Wall Street that he put in place to protect consumers and make Wall Street play by the same set of rules -- and calls on lawmakers to finish implementing these reforms so that we can prevent excessive risk-taking and help create an economy that is built to last.

Warren Buffett Buys 63 Newspapers

Sources:NBCRichmondTimes-DispatchCBS3
WallStreetJournalWashingtonPost 

By Matthew Picht
Anchor: Lauren Gores
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

President Obama’s Bilateral Meeting with President Francois Hollande of France

President Obama on Supporting Agriculture to Fight Hunger

President Obama announces a new alliance between government leaders and private sector partners to reduce hunger and lift 50 million people out of poverty by investing in Africa’s agricultural economy.

Brooklyn Navy Yard to Invest $46 Million for Green Manufacturing Center

Project Expected to Create Nearly 300 New Jobs

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, and state and city elected officials today announced that the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation will invest $46 million to build a Green Manufacturing Center in the Navy Yard.

This New York City Regional Economic Development Council priority project consists of the adaptive reuse of three former WWII-era Navy machine shops into a state-of-the-art industrial complex, creating nearly 300 new permanent jobs and approximately 400 construction jobs. 

"This project is an example of how the Regional Council initiative is helping the state invest in a productive and sustainable innovation economy that will put New Yorkers back to work now and for years to come," Governor Cuomo said.

"This is an eco-friendly investment that will create almost 300 new jobs while making space available for a successful company to produce the tools needed to keep the heroic members of our armed services safe."

"The Brooklyn Navy Yard is an economic success story if there ever was one, and this investment in green manufacturing is more great news for the Navy Yard and for New York City’s economy," said Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.

"Today the Navy Yard is home to the kind of innovation that is going to create the jobs of the future and keep our city competitive in the long-term."

"The Green Manufacturing Center at the Brooklyn Navy Yard—with its lead tenants Crye Precision and Macro Sea—will show the world how to successfully incorporate green manufacturing and sustainable practices into a state-of-the-art facility that will create hundreds of permanent and construction jobs," said Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.

"Bravo to Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Speaker Quinn, our Brooklyn Legislative and Council delegations, Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation President Andrew Kimball and all their partners for transforming ‘navy blue’ into ‘navy green.’ There is no better example than the Navy Yard of Brooklyn’s dynamic, diverse—and green—economy, and I was proud to support the Green Manufacturing Center project."

"The Navy Yard is a testament to New York City’s resilience and creativity," added New York City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn.

"Through thoughtful redevelopment efforts, what was once a thriving shipbuilding facility is now a model urban industrial park that houses some of the City’s most cutting edge companies, and now soon, a Green Manufacturing Center. We are proud at the Council to have partnered with the Governor, Bloomberg Administration, Borough President Markowitz, and the Brooklyn Navy Yard to ensure that the Navy Yard continues to thrive and create more jobs for New Yorkers."

The Brooklyn Navy Yard is a 300 acre industrial park on the Brooklyn waterfront that houses more than 275 businesses, employing 6,000 workers, up from 230 businesses and 3,600 workers in 2001.

Over $200 million in infrastructure investments by the City, State, and federal governments have leveraged over $500 million in private investment for new and renovated industrial buildings and hundreds of millions more in tenant machinery, equipment and fit-out. 

The development of the Green Manufacturing Center will continue the expansion underway at the Brooklyn Navy Yard – its largest growth since WWII, adding more than 1.8 million square feet of new space and over 2,500 new jobs over the next two years.

Home to more than 30 green manufacturers, the development of green facilities has long been a priority at the Yard. This major new investment will transform buildings 28, 123, and 128, former Navy ship building machine shops, into a 220,000 square foot multi-tenanted, into the LEED Silver-certified Green Manufacturing Center.

Major construction begins this summer and will take approximately 18 months to complete.

The Navy Yard has become a thriving hub of high-tech and clean-tech manufacturing," said "We are thrilled to get this project underway with the support of our partners at every level of government and to have two fantastic anchor tenants secured," stated BNYDC President & CEO Andrew H. Kimball.

Crye Precision – a premier designer and manufacturer of body armor and apparel for the U.S. military as well as federal and state law enforcement agencies - which was awarded $1 million through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application (CFA) process, has agreed to become one of two lead tenants at the new Green Manufacturing Center.

Crye currently operates in four separate spaces at the Navy Yard, with 110 employees, and will now lease 80,000 square feet, consolidating multiple sites into one central location.

Crye decided to expand in the Navy Yard after considering numerous options for consolidation and expansion, including New Jersey.

The company’s expansion into the Green Manufacturing Center will create 100 new jobs over the next five years. Crye also has several commercial product lines under development; one uses locally recycled materials that are converted into fabrics. 

Crye Precision Executive Director Caleb Crye, noted, "The Navy Yard has been exactly what our business needed to grow and we are thrilled that our future will remain here. We started here a decade ago with 4,500 square feet, today we’re up to 45,000 square feet with more than 100 employees and when the new facility is complete we’ll have a more efficient operation with room to grow and add at least 100 new jobs."

A second anchor tenant, Macro Sea, will lease more than 50,000 square feet for New Lab, a cutting-edge facility that will promote design and manufacturing innovation using the latest in environmentally-conscious processes and machinery.

Through traditional tenancies and co-working spaces, New Lab will encourage the collaboration between design and fabrication by hosting a dynamic mix of designers, digital manufacturers, architects, graduate research facilities, and others in a hive of sustainable design and innovation.

Working at the forefront of green technology advances, New Lab has received strong interest from the following universities and firms:

The Cooper Union, Institute for Sustainable Design Innovation Laboratory

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's School of Architecture and Center for Architecture Science & Ecology (CASE)

Columbia University, Laboratory of Applied Building Science (L-ABS) at the Graduate School of Architecture Planning and Preservation

Terreform ONE, Brooklyn based nonprofit design group and unique laboratory for scientists, artists, architects, students, and individuals of all backgrounds to explore and advance the larger framework of green design

Within Lab, a London-based design consultancy best known for creating tools which constantly push at the boundaries of the possible in the world of additive layer manufacturing.

"New Lab will bring together graduate students, designers, and high-tech manufacturers in a unique space that will encourage innovation and collaboration. The Navy Yard’s community of manufacturers represents the future of urban industry and New Lab will seed the next generation of cutting-edge Yard businesses," stated Macro Sea Managing Principal David Belt.

The $46 million construction project will be built to LEED Silver standards and funded through capital grants from New York State ($6 million from Empire State Development), the New York City Council ($7.5 million), the Brooklyn Borough President ($2.5 million) and the U.S. Economic Development Administration ($2.5 million).

In addition, Crye has been awarded $1 million in Excelsior tax credits from Empire State Development through the New York State Consolidated Funding Application process. BNDYC has financed the balance of construction through the federal EB-5 program. Crye will expend approximately $9 million on their fit-out and equipment and Macro Sea will expend approximately $10 million. 

The Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation is a non-profit corporation that manages operations of the Brooklyn Navy Yard for New York City. It is tasked with leasing space, promoting local economic development and redevelopment of underutilized areas, and modernizing the Yard’s infrastructure.

Prior to its reopening as an industrial park, the Brooklyn Navy Yard served one of America's preeminent military facilities for more than 150 years. The rich past, thriving present and promising future of the Yard is captured in a newly opened exhibition, visitors and employment center: the Brooklyn Navy Yard Center at BLDG 92.

West Wing Week: 5/18/12

This week, the President discussed his plan to help responsible homeowners in Reno, gave the commencement address at Barnard College, honored law enforcement officers, awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously for heroism in the Vietnam War, and continued to call on Congress to act on a “To Do List” that will create jobs and help restore middle class security, highlighting the need to invest in small businesses and jump-start new hiring. 

An International "Occupy" Manifesto

 
A Special Guest Commentary by Renowned Activist Ted Glick

Future Hope column, May 18, 2012

An International "Occupy" Manifesto

By Ted Glick

Several days ago a document, the "GlobalMay Statement," showed up in my email inbox. In the website where this statement can be found, http://www.peoplesassemblies.org/2012/05/may-12th-globalmay-statement/, it is explained that "this is an attempt by some inside the [occupy] movements to reconcile statements written and endorsed in the different assemblies around the world. The process of writing the statement was consensus based, open to all, and regularly announced on our international communications platforms, which are also open to all. It was a hard and long process, full of compromises. This statement is offered to people's assemblies around the world for discussions, revisions and endorsements."

One of the things which struck me was how strong the statement is on the climate and environmental crises. The first sentence of the first general point says that, "The economy must be put to the service of people's welfare, and to support and serve the environment, not private profit." Four of the ten bullet points under that first general point deal in some way with environmental issues.

This was striking given the serious weaknesses in this area as far as Occupy Wall Street's first overall statement of what it was calling for last fall. In that document, released on September 30th, there were two sentences about a monopolized, poisoned and cruel-to-animals food system and a sentence about the 1% "continuing to block alternate forms of energy to keep us dependent on oil." That was it.

It is good to see this positive evolution of the international "global spring/Occupy/Take the Square" movements, and to see, once again, the positive impact on the movement in the U.S. that comes from international connections. Another recent example is the way in which the international World Social Forum movement, begun a decade ago, stimulated and inspired what has become an important U.S. Social Forum movement over the past five-six years.

The overall content of the GlobalMay Statement is sound. It puts forward a vision of the future for the world very different than what we are getting from the vast majority of the old established political parties of all ideologies worldwide.

The statement, however, puts forward in a couple of sentences a perspective on strategy to get us to a different world that I have problems with: "We do not make demands from governments, corporations or parliament members, which some of us see as illegitimate, unaccountable or corrupt. We speak to the people of the world, both inside and outside our movements."

I appreciate the up-from-the-bottom, build-popular-alternatives, anarchist-influenced sentiment behind this perspective. But if this becomes a rigid approach, it will unquestionably limit the reach, impact and possibilities for this movement.

For years I've believed that there are three essential components if we, the people are to have a decent chance of taking power away from the 1%--which we absolutely must do if we are to ever have a political and economic system that is truly democratic and just.

Those three components are:

- thousands and thousands of grassroots based organizations in communities and at workplaces defending our rights, livelihoods and natural and work environments, and helping grassroots people develop their consciousness, skills and commitment to work together for fundamental change;

- a direct action, in-the-streets, popular movement which, through its visible, demonstrative actions, plays a key role in putting the 1% on the defensive and empowering the 99% (or a solid majority of it); and,

- an electoral vehicle, independent of the political and economic forces which dominate both the Republican and Democratic parties, which can attract current office holders, elect solid progressives to office at all levels, and present a coherent, platform-based alternative to the parties of the 1%.

Without all three of these forms of organizing and action, we have little chance of accumulating the political momentum and power to overcome the systems of oppression, repression and environmental devastation.

The electoral question in the US continues to be a huge conundrum, primarily because of the corporate-dominated, two-party undemocratic, winner-take-all nature of our electoral system. These realities make it very difficult for electoral-oriented, progressive political parties to survive, much less thrive.

This is why I'm convinced that what we need as far as an overarching electoral vehicle is not a third party but a third force within which Greens and other progressive third parties would play an active role, along with progressive Democrats, other independents and probably some grassroots Republicans.

During this Presidential election year, shouldn't we be debating these critical strategic questions?


Ted Glick has been an activist and organizer since 1968 who has focused on the climate issue since 2004. Past writings and other information can be found at  http://tedglick.com, and he can be followed on twitter at http://twitter.com/jtglick.

Top Newsy Headlines: Arrest Made in MS Highway Shootings

Sources:CNNHLNFoxNewseuronews 

By Nathan Byrne
Anchor: Nathan Byrne
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Mexican Police Search for Massacre Culprits

Sources:AlJazeeraBlogdelNarcoCNN
InSightCrime 

By Matthew Picht
Anchor: Christian Bryant
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

UN Claims Iran Illegally Supplied Syrian Army with Weapons

Sources:CNNInternationalBusinessTimes
WashingtonPostAlJazeera 

By Matthew Picht
Anchor: Ana Compain-Romero
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Dog the Bounty Hunter Receiving Death Threats

Sources:RadarOnlineTheNationalEnquirer
AllieisWired 

By Mallory Perryman
Anchor: Ana Compain-Romero
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

White House Briefs

'The Music Industry Has Lost a Legend Far Too Soon'

President Obama on the Passing of Donna Summer

Michelle and I were saddened to hear about the passing of Donna Summer.  A five-time Grammy Award winner, Donna truly was the “Queen of Disco.” Her voice was unforgettable, and the music industry has lost a legend far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Donna's family and her dedicated fans.

Top Newsy Headlines: Singer Donna Summer Dies at 63

Sources:HLNCNNFoxBusinessMSNBC 

By Nathan Byrne
Anchor: Nathan Byrne
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Donna Summer Dead at 63

Cancer Claims Disco Music Legend 

Donna Summer, the sultry songstress who went on to be dubbed the "Queen of Disco", has died after a bout with cancer. She was 63. 

According to numerous published reports, Summer hid the fact that she was battling cancer and how ill she actually was. 

Many of the "Love to Love You Baby" and "Bad Girls" recording star's friends and family members were saddened and shocked to hear of her death, as were millions of fans all over the world. 

From The G-Man and Newsy.com will provide more information on the life and death of Donna Summer shortly.

Photo courtesy of  http://www.last.fm

Kentucky Man Buys Out Kmart, Donates All to Charity

Sources:WLEXWestKentuckyStar
WHDHNBC 

By Kerry Leary
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Greeks Withdrawing Cash from Banks as Financial Fears Grow

Sources:GoodMorningAmericaTheWashingtonPost
CNNTodayFoxNewsTheHuffingtonPost 

By Emily Allen
Anchor: Emily Allen
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Verizon to Turn Off Unlimited Data

Sources:FierceWirelessGottaBeMobileMediaBistro
ComputerWorldAllThingsDigital 

By Evan Thomas
Anchor: Megan Murphy
Video courtesy of Newsy.com

Final Details Announced for Upcoming Central Gulf of Mexico Oil and Gas Lease Sale

Salazar, Beaudreau Say More Than 38 Million Acres to be Offered for Exploration and Development

New Orleans — Today the Obama Administration provided final details for the Central Gulf of Mexico lease sale announced by President Obama in January 2012, as part of his administration’s ongoing focus on expanding safe and responsible production of our domestic energy sources.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) Director Tommy P. Beaudreau today announced the Final Notice of Sale for a June 20, 2012 lease sale that will make available all unleased areas in the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area, offshore Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama, including 7,276 blocks on about 38.6 million acres.

The sale will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. BOEM estimates the sale could result in the production of over 1 billion barrels of oil and more than 4 trillion cubic feet of natural gas.

“As part of the Obama administration’s all of the above energy strategy, we continue to make millions of acres of federal waters and public lands available for safe and responsible domestic energy exploration and development,” said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar.

“Holding this lease sale is one of the many administrative steps  we are taking, at the President’s direction, to increase U.S. production, reduce dependence on foreign oil, and incentivize early production on leases that industry holds.”

“The Gulf of Mexico is the crown jewel of the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf, and home to a number of world-class producing basins – including many in deepwater areas that are becoming increasingly accessible with new technology,” noted Bureau of Ocean Energy Management Director Tommy P. Beaudreau. 

“There have been a number of significant discoveries in the past two years alone, and this sale will continue making significant and promising areas available while encouraging diligent development and providing the taxpayer a fair return.”

The blocks are located from three to about 230 miles offshore, in water depths ranging from nine to more than 11,115 feet (three to 3,400 meters) in the Central Gulf of Mexico, a region that BOEM estimates contains close to 31 billion barrels of oil and 134 trillion cubic feet of natural gas that are currently undiscovered and technically recoverable. 

The Final Notice of Sale package describes all terms and conditions for Central Gulf Lease Sale 216-222. These include a range of incentives that encourage prompt development and ensure a fair return to taxpayers, as described in a recent  report by the Department of the Interior on the status of Oil and Gas Lease Utilization. These measures include escalating rental rates and tiered durational terms with relatively short base periods followed by additional time under the same lease if the operator drills a well during the initial period.

BOEM has also increased the minimum bid in deep-water to $100 per acre, up from only $37.50, to ensure that taxpayers receive fair market value for offshore resources and to provide leaseholders with additional impetus to invest in leases that they are more likely to develop.

Analysis of the last 15 years of lease sales in the Gulf of Mexico showed that deep-water leases that received high bids of less than $100 per acre, adjusted for energy prices at time of each sale, experienced virtually no exploration and development drilling.

The terms of sale also reflect a series of conditions to ensure an appropriate balance of orderly resource development with protection of the human, marine and coastal environments. These include stipulations to protect biologically sensitive resources, mitigate potential adverse effects on protected species, and avoid potential conflicts associated with oil and gas development in the region.

BOEM completed a supplemental environmental impact statement relating to this sale, which considers the latest available information for the Central Gulf of Mexico Planning Area following the Deep-Water Horizon oil spill.  Today, BOEM is also issuing a Record of Decision following that analysis.

For this sale, BOEM has also adopted a stipulation to notify bidders that the terms stated in a February 20, 2012 agreement between Mexico and the United States regarding the exploration and development of oil and natural gas reservoirs along the United States’ and Mexico’s maritime boundary may apply to some of the blocks offered in this sale, should the agreement enter into force.

The Final Notice of Sale information package is available at: http://www.boem.gov/sale-216-222/.

Copies can also be requested from the Gulf of Mexico Region’s Public Information Office at 1201 Elmwood Park Boulevard, New Orleans, LA 70123, or at 800-200-GULF (4853).

The Final Notice of Sale and the Notice of Availability of a Record of Decision on a Final Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement for Lease Sale 216/222 are available today in the Federal Register at the following: http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/public-inspection/index.html.

President Obama Stresses Commitment to Burma

"Opening Up Greater Economic Engagement Between Our Two Countries is Critical..."

The following statement was issued today by President Barack Obama:

Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between the United States and Burma. Since I announced a new U.S. opening to Burma in November, President Thein Sein, Aung San Suu Kyi and the people of Burma have made significant progress along the path to democracy.  The United States has pledged to respond to positive developments in Burma and to clearly demonstrate America's commitment to the future of an extraordinary country, a courageous people, and universal values. That is what we are doing.

Today, I am nominating our first U.S. Ambassador to Burma in 22 years, Derek Mitchell, whose work has been instrumental in bringing about this new phase in our bilateral relationship. We also are announcing that the United States will ease its bans on the exportation of financial services and new investment in Burma.  Opening up greater economic engagement between our two countries is critical to supporting reformers in government and civil society, facilitating broad-based economic development, and bringing Burma out of isolation and into the international community.

Of course, there is far more to be done. The United States remains concerned about Burma’s closed political system, its treatment of minorities and detention of political prisoners, and its relationship with North Korea. We will work to establish a framework for responsible investment from the United States that encourages transparency and oversight, and helps ensure that those who abuse human rights, engage in corruption, interfere with the peace process, or obstruct the reform process do not benefit from increased engagement with the United States.  We will also continue to press for those who commit serious violations of human rights to be held accountable. We are also maintaining our current authorities to help ensure further reform and to retain the ability to reinstate selected sanctions if there is backsliding.

Americans for decades have stood with the Burmese people in their struggle to realize the full promise of their extraordinary country. In recent months, we have been inspired by the economic and political reforms that have taken place, Secretary Clinton’s historic trip to Naypyidaw and Rangoon, the parliamentary elections, and the sight of Aung San Suu Kyi being sworn into office after years of struggle. As an iron fist has unclenched in Burma, we have extended our hand, and are entering a new phase in our engagement on behalf of a more democratic and prosperous future for the Burmese people.

Politics in Action: S. 3187

STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY

S. 3187 – Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act

(Sen. Harkin, D-IA, and 1 cosponsor)

The Administration strongly supports passage of S. 3187, the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation Act, which will help speed safe and effective drugs, medical devices and biosimilar biological products to patients.

Building on proposals developed by the Administration in partnership with the pharmaceutical and medical device industries and consumer groups, S. 3187 reauthorizes the prescription drug and medical device user fee programs as well as creates new user fee programs for biosimilar biological products and generic drugs.  The biosimilar approval pathway was created by the Affordable Care Act, and the generic drug user fee program was proposed in the 2013 President's Budget to help increase patient access to affordable medicines. 

S. 3187 also enhances the tools available to the Food and Drug Administration to address drug shortages by requiring additional early notification of potential shortages, an action the Administration called for in the 2011 Executive Order on drug shortages.  In addition, provisions in the bill help address the challenges of globalization by enhancing the safety of the drug supply chain, increase incentives for the development of new antibiotics, renew and enhance mechanisms to ensure that children's medicines are appropriately tested and labeled, and expedite the development and review of certain drugs for treatment of serious or life-threatening diseases and conditions.

Promoting innovation, safety, and access to medicines and devices is critical to the Nation's health, and the Administration supports this bipartisan legislation that contributes to this goal.

New York State to End Finger Imaging for Food Stamp Recipients

New Anti-Fraud System Less Costly and More Effective 

New York State will end the finger imaging requirement for all food stamp applicants and recipients, helping simplify the application process and removing a barrier to reducing hunger among the state’s children and adults. 

Statewide, one in six children live in homes without enough food on the table. Yet 30 percent of New Yorkers eligible for food stamps — over 1.4 million people — do not receive them, leaving over $1 billion in federal funds unclaimed every year.

In his 2012 State of the State message, Governor Cuomo pledged to increase participation in the food stamp program, including removing barriers to participation and eliminating stigmas associated with the program. Eliminating the finger imaging requirement will make it easier for additional New Yorkers in need to apply for food stamp benefits.

"There is never an excuse for letting any child in New York go to bed hungry," Governor Cuomo said.

"For too long, requiring finger imaging from those eligible for food stamp benefits has created an unnecessary barrier to participation in the program, causing a negative stigma and keeping food off the table for those in need. By removing this barrier, additional New Yorkers in need will be able to access the benefits they deserve without having to submit to this unneeded and burdensome requirement."

"I applaud Governor Cuomo’s actions today to ban finger imaging. Forty-eight States have implemented effective and less intrusive ways to prevent fraud. This is an important step forward in providing accessible, efficiently administered food stamp benefits to eligible low-income New Yorkers. This can also ease the administrative burden for the agencies as well as for consumers," said Kevin Concannon, Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Services at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan added, "Governor Cuomo has taken an important step today, simply by doing the right thing. Our Judeo-Christian heritage teaches us that when poor people in our midst seek help, we don’t view them with immediate suspicion. We don’t humiliate them; we help them. The message being sent today is that in New York State, there is no shame in needing a helping hand for yourself or for your children. Be assured of my gratitude and my continued prayers."

Finger imaging has been a known deterrent to participation in the Food Stamp Program due to the negative connotations, including the perceived implication of criminality.

In addition, finger imaging can be an impediment to employment and child care because parents may have to take time off from work and obtain additional child care coverage in order to complete the requirement. Before the Governor's action, New York and Arizona were the only two states in the country to impose this requirement. 

Removing barriers to food stamp enrollment – including reducing the use of finger imaging – can have a positive economic impact on New York. According to a 2010 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, $5 in new food stamp benefits can generate $9 in total community spending, and every additional dollar’s worth of food stamp benefits generates 17 to 47 cents of new spending on food.

By increasing access to food stamps, eliminating the finger imaging requirement will benefit families as well as the state and local economies.

In April, the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) put in place a new statewide system for determining food stamp eligibility that uses applicant information to allow case workers to resolve discrepancies and prevent duplicate participation.

The new system complies with the federal requirement to prevent duplication of food stamp benefits and similar programs have been credited as being less costly than finger imaging and potentially more effective at detecting duplicate participation.

At the Governor's direction, OTDA has proposed regulations that would eliminate the finger imaging for the receipt of food stamp benefits. 

The proposed regulations are being filed today and will be available for a 45-day public comment period before being finalized. Under the proposed regulations, counties will no longer need waivers to be exempted. The proposed regulations apply to the entire state.

"Governor Cuomo’s proposal to eliminate the fingerprinting requirement for Food Stamp applicants will increase access to much-needed nutritional assistance for older New Yorkers. Removing this barrier will greatly reduce stigma, break down barriers to enrollment, and allow more eligible people to obtain the assistance they need," stated Joan Parrott-Fonseca, AARP New York State Director.

President Obama Awards the Medal of Honor to Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr.

President Obama presents the Medal of Honor for valor above and beyond the call of duty to the family of Specialist Leslie H. Sabo, Jr., whose courage and complete disregard for his own safety saved the lives of many of his platoon members.