White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest responded to reporters' questions on a variety of topics.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Wednesday, September 30, 2015
Senator McCain on President Obama and Russian Airs Strikes in Syria
Senate Armed Services Committee Chair John McCain (R-AZ) calls on
President Obama to take action against Russia’s bombing of Syrian
rebels.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
Capital for a Day: Central New York
Syracuse - Governor Cuomo holds a cabinet meeting as part of “Capital
for a Day” in the Central New York region, a day-long series of meetings
between the Governor, senior state officials and local leaders designed
to advance local priorities for growth and facilitate improvements in
the community.
The President Speaks at a U.N. Luncheon
President Obama offered remarks at a luncheon hosted by U.N. Secretary
General Ban Ki-Moon at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.
The President Meets with the Prime Minister of India at the U.N.
President Obama delivered remarks after a bilateral meeting with Prime
Minister Modi of India at the United Nations Headquarters in New York
City.
United Nations General Assembly Morning Session
The leaders of the Palestinian Authority and Turkey are among the
speakers to address the morning session of the United Nations General
Assembly. English translation is unavailable for the first 15 minutes of
this event.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
U.S. House Legislative Business
The House is debating a bill to fund the Department of Veterans
Affairs. Later, members are expected to debate a Continuing Resolution
to fund the government through December 11 ahead of tonight’s midnight
deadline.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
NYC Joins Governments Statewide Advancing Microbead Bans
Efforts Take Off Following State Senate’s
Failure to Pass Measure with Majority Support
Failure to Pass Measure with Majority Support
Albany – Today, legislation
was introduced in the New York City Council which will ban the sale of
products made with microbeads – the tiny plastic pellets that come by
the tens of thousands
in bottles of products like face wash and toothpaste.
Since August, eight local
governments representing a majority of all New Yorkers have now enacted
or introduced bans. Other municipalities have passed resolutions urging
their county officials
to enact a ban due to the costly havoc microbeads wreak on New York’s
aging wastewater infrastructure.
Local bans are popping up due to the state Senate’s failure to pass the
Microbead-Free Waters Act.
That bill passed the Assembly with overwhelming
bipartisan support by a vote of 139-1. The Senate’s version was
sponsored by 59% of all senators. However, despite promises of focusing
on the “people’s business,” new Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan
(R-Long Island)
refused to allow a fair vote.
Instead, the statewide
ban remains stalled in the Environmental Conservation Committee as the
lead sponsor, Senator Tom O’Mara (R-Big Flats), put his energy behind an
industry-backed bill for which he was the lone supporter. That effort
failed.
Saima Anjam, environmental
health director at Environmental Advocates of New York said, “Microbeads
are a needless industry waste that wreaks havoc on our waterways and
wastewater treatment
systems, and which ultimately harms wildlife
and public health. I hate being the bearer of bad news, but despite the
marketing, not a single New Yorker is cleaner or more beautiful today
because of plastic pellets in their face wash or toothpaste. Microbeads
are as pointless as they come.”
She added, “What we’re
seeing are local governments and leaders stepping in to fill the void
the Senate has created, giving New Yorkers the leadership they expect.
Republicans and Democrats,
officials in rural and urban areas alike, recognize the need to act and
have chosen not to ignore the consequences. We applaud them, because
that’s what residents want and deserve. It is unacceptable that industry
continues to recklessly pollute our waterways
with microbeads. Senator Flanagan needs to keep his promise in 2016 and
let senators pass the Microbead-Free Waters Act.”
The listing of local governments taking action include:
Erie County (signed into law),
Cattaraugus County (in legislative process),
Chautauqua County
(passed, awaiting county executive’s signature), Albany County
(in legislative process), Monroe County (in legislative
process), Ulster County
(in legislative process), New York City,
and Suffolk County (in legislative process).
Source: Environmental Advocates of New York
Islamophobia Distracts Us From The Real Crisis
"It's amazing, we're going to take in all of these people from Syria,
but we have all these homeless people on our streets," said a few white
males I overheard the other day at a Starbucks. "You see, all of these
people criticize us, but they all want to come here."
Have to
say, very valid points. We do in fact have severe issues facing
Americans today from unemployment and poverty, to homelessness and
increasing disparity and more. The only problem is that most Americans,
like those middle-aged men at Starbucks, lack the proper context and
adequate information to understand all the dynamics at play, and just
how much emphasis our government places on things like war as opposed to
resolving our problems at home. For instance, if they knew that only
about four or five US-trained rebels are left on the ground in Syria
after the Defense Department spent $500 million to train and equip
people according to recent testimony
by General Lloyd Austin, head of U.S. Central Command, they might have a
more nuanced discussion as they sipped their lattes. But when
Americans are inundated with messages of 'backward Muslims', and public
discourse is infused with vile words from the likes of Ben Carson and
others, it's much easier to blame the refugees for their own plight, and
continue to act as if we're doing them a favor by allowing a small
percentage of the millions displaced into our country. Perhaps it's
time for a reality check.
Click here for the full article.
Source: The Huffington Post
'Meeting with Monaco': Afghan Chief Executive Dr. Abdullah Abdullah
The following meeting took place on September 29, 2015.
Assistant
to the President for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism Lisa Monaco
met with Chief Executive of Afghanistan Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. Ms. Monaco congratulated
him on the one year anniversary of the National Unity Government, and
reiterated the ongoing U.S. commitment to a stable, sovereign
Afghanistan. During the meeting, Ms. Monaco praised Afghan Security
Forces’ efforts to counter the Taliban’s recent advances
in Kunduz and reaffirmed continued U.S. And Coalition support. Both
leaders agreed on the importance of the National Unity Government, led
by President Ghani and supported by Chief Executive Abdullah, working
together to deliver on its promises to the Afghan
people. Ms. Monaco and Dr. Abdullah acknowledged that this is a
critical time of transition for Afghanistan and discussed how the United
States and Afghanistan can ensure that Afghan security forces have the
capabilities and training necessary to preserve
the gains made over the past 13 years. Additionally, Ms. Monaco and Dr.
Abdullah affirmed the importance of continuing to work together to
maintain a productive security and counterterrorism partnership in the
years ahead.
Source: The White House, Office of the Press Secretary
'Veep Meet & Greet....with Joe Biden'
The following meetings took place on September 29, 2015.
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi
The
Vice President met on the margins of the UN General Assembly with
Iraq's Prime Minister Haider Al-Abadi. They discussed a range of
bilateral issues defining the close
and strategic partnership between the United States and Iraq, including
the fight against ISIL, security cooperation, political and economic
reforms. The Vice President commended Prime Minister Abadi for his
leadership and commitment to Iraq's political and
economic development. Both leaders reaffirmed the importance of
ensuring continued coordination to defeat ISIL and to help restore
lasting stability in Iraq.
Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah
The
Vice President met on the margins of the UN General Assembly with
Afghanistan's Chief Executive Officer Dr. Abdullah Abdullah. They
discussed
ongoing military operations in Kunduz and the broader security
situation. Meeting on the one-year anniversary of Afghanistan's
Government of National Unity, both leaders discussed Afghanistan’s
progress and confirmed the importance of urgently addressing
Afghanistan’s
remaining challenges. The Vice President underscored the important role
of Afghanistan's government in building the foundations for the
country's long-term success and delivering on its promises to the Afghan
people. They reaffirmed their commitment to the
historic strategic partnership and honored the heroic sacrifices of
Afghan and Coalition partners striving for lasting peace and stability
in Afghanistan.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko
Vice
President Joe Biden met with Ukrainian President Petro
Poroshenko. The two leaders discussed the implementation of the Minsk
agreements and the need for Russia
to press the separatists it backs to cancel sham elections in the
separatist-controlled parts of the Donbas, which, if held, would be in
direct contravention of the Minsk Implementation Plan. The Vice
President welcomed the recently concluded agreement on
further demilitarization along the line of contact, but expressed
concern over the failure by the separatists to grant full access to OSCE
monitors and Russia's continued deployment of troops and weapons inside
Ukraine. The two leaders also discussed the
need to strengthen regional energy security, as well as domestic
political developments in advance of local Ukrainian elections in
October.
Japanese Prime Minister Abe
Vice President Biden met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the
margins of the United Nations General Assembly meetings. The Vice
President congratulated
Prime Minister Abe on the passage of Japan’s security legislation, and
the two reaffirmed the strength of the alliance and the historic level
of cooperation between our two countries. The two leaders discussed a
range of regional and global issues, including
maritime security, cyber issues, and regional relations. Vice
President Biden and Prime Minister Abe discussed the Trans-Pacific
Partnership and agreed that their negotiating teams would work closely
together – and with other partners – with the goal of resolving
the limited number of outstanding issues at the upcoming Ministers
meeting in Atlanta.
Source: The White House, Office of the Vice President
Politics in Action: H.R. 3457, Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act
STATEMENT OF ADMINISTRATION POLICY
H.R. 3457 – Justice for Victims of Iranian Terrorism Act
(Rep. Meehan, R-PA, and 112 cosponsors)
The Administration
strongly opposes H.R. 3457, which would prevent the United States from
implementing its sanctions relief commitments under the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reached between the P5+1 (the
United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, China, and Germany), the
European Union (EU), and Iran by tying the Administration’s ability to
fulfill U.S. commitments to non-nuclear issues that are outside the
scope of the JCPOA. Obstructing implementation of the JCPOA would
greatly undermine our national security interests. It would result in
the collapse of a comprehensive diplomatic arrangement that peacefully
and verifiably prevents Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, and in
turn would allow for the resumption of a significantly less constrained
Iranian nuclear program, lead to the unraveling of the international
sanctions regime against Iran, and deal a devastating blow to America’s
credibility as a leader of international diplomacy. This would have
ripple effects, jeopardizing both the hard work of sustaining a unified
coalition to combat Iran’s destabilizing activities in the region and
America’s ability to lead the world on nuclear non-proliferation.
By prohibiting actions to provide relief from nuclear-related sanctions on Iran even if Iran meets all of its JCPOA commitments – significantly rolling back and constraining its nuclear program under an unprecedented verification and monitoring regime – H.R. 3457 effectively seeks to renegotiate the commitments reached by all of the P5+1, the EU, and Iran, and endorsed by the UN Security Council. The Administration has consistently made clear that the purpose of the nuclear negotiations, and ultimately the JCPOA, was to address one issue only – the international community’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and the need to verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This is the approach with which the United States was able to garner international support for our sanctions and achieve a diplomatic resolution.
The Administration supports efforts by U.S. terrorism victims to pursue compensation, consistent with our national security, and the JCPOA does nothing to impede those efforts. The Administration continues to work to explore all possible avenues for compensation, but will not do so in a manner that would connect this issue to the JCPOA, thereby jeopardizing its implementation and Iran’s fulfillment of the critical nuclear steps required under the JCPOA.
As we address our concerns with Iran’s nuclear program through implementation of the JCPOA, the Administration remains clear-eyed and shares the deep concerns of the Congress and the American people about Iran’s support for terrorism. We will continue to vigorously enforce our sanctions against these activities, none of which have been relieved under the JCPOA, and work closely with our partners in the region to counter them using a range of unilateral and multilateral tools.
The President has made it clear that he will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of the JCPOA. If the President were presented with H.R. 3457, he would veto the bill.
By prohibiting actions to provide relief from nuclear-related sanctions on Iran even if Iran meets all of its JCPOA commitments – significantly rolling back and constraining its nuclear program under an unprecedented verification and monitoring regime – H.R. 3457 effectively seeks to renegotiate the commitments reached by all of the P5+1, the EU, and Iran, and endorsed by the UN Security Council. The Administration has consistently made clear that the purpose of the nuclear negotiations, and ultimately the JCPOA, was to address one issue only – the international community’s concerns over Iran’s nuclear program and the need to verifiably prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon. This is the approach with which the United States was able to garner international support for our sanctions and achieve a diplomatic resolution.
The Administration supports efforts by U.S. terrorism victims to pursue compensation, consistent with our national security, and the JCPOA does nothing to impede those efforts. The Administration continues to work to explore all possible avenues for compensation, but will not do so in a manner that would connect this issue to the JCPOA, thereby jeopardizing its implementation and Iran’s fulfillment of the critical nuclear steps required under the JCPOA.
As we address our concerns with Iran’s nuclear program through implementation of the JCPOA, the Administration remains clear-eyed and shares the deep concerns of the Congress and the American people about Iran’s support for terrorism. We will continue to vigorously enforce our sanctions against these activities, none of which have been relieved under the JCPOA, and work closely with our partners in the region to counter them using a range of unilateral and multilateral tools.
The President has made it clear that he will veto any legislation that prevents the successful implementation of the JCPOA. If the President were presented with H.R. 3457, he would veto the bill.
Source: Executive Office of the President, Office of Management and Budget
$20 Million Available to Build Affordable Housing in NY Areas Damaged by Major Storms
$20 million is available for the
construction of new affordable housing units damaged by Superstorm
Sandy, Hurricane Irene or Tropical Storm Lee.
“These communities have witnessed first-hand the damage caused by extreme weather and we must ensure we build back stronger to adjust to this new normal,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help ensure that affordable housing in these areas is safer and more resilient against whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”
Qualified housing developers are invited to submit proposals for properties to be developed in the following eligible counties: Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Nassau, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washing and Westchester.
Funding will come from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, out of its $4.4 billion federal allotment from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program, and overseen through the Homes and Community Renewal's Small Project Affordable Rental Construction program. The funding will be administered by the Community Preservation Corporation, a leading not-for-profit affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization organization.
“These communities have witnessed first-hand the damage caused by extreme weather and we must ensure we build back stronger to adjust to this new normal,” Governor Cuomo said. “This funding will help ensure that affordable housing in these areas is safer and more resilient against whatever Mother Nature throws our way.”
Qualified housing developers are invited to submit proposals for properties to be developed in the following eligible counties: Albany, Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Delaware, Dutchess, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Nassau, Oneida, Orange, Otsego, Putnam, Rensselaer, Rockland, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie, Suffolk, Sullivan, Tioga, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washing and Westchester.
Funding will come from the Governor’s Office of Storm Recovery, out of its $4.4 billion federal allotment from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Program, and overseen through the Homes and Community Renewal's Small Project Affordable Rental Construction program. The funding will be administered by the Community Preservation Corporation, a leading not-for-profit affordable housing and neighborhood revitalization organization.
“Our mandate from Governor Andrew Cuomo is
to create and preserve affordable housing opportunities and revitalize
communities Statewide,” said Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner and CEO James S. Rubin.
“This is especially true in areas where people’s lives were upended by
the ferocity of those three severe storms. Our collaborative effort with
Community Preservation Corporation will enhance the quality of life of
storm-affected people in low-density areas, not usually reached in
typical housing programs. In addition to the economic benefit
construction brings to a community, New Yorkers of modest means will
have a secure and well-built place to call home.”
The Community Preservation Corporation will oversee the development of approximately 150 to 200 rental units, with at least 51 percent of new units at each property to be designated for local residents earning below 80 percent of the area median income. The program will target small properties, with eight to 20 units each in low-density areas that may not be normally reached by housing programs. Eligible projects could also include the adaptive reuse or substantial rehabilitation of vacant buildings.
“This program is closely in line with Community Preservation Corporation’s steadfast commitment to stabilizing and strengthening New York State by bringing much-needed capital to communities destroyed by natural disasters,” said Rafael E. Cestero, President and CEO of Community Preservation Corporation. “It is crucial to preserve these small developments where the majority of New York renters live, and we will leverage the expertise of our local field offices to identify areas with the greatest need. We look forward to working closely with Homes and Community Renewal and other partners to not only rebuild what was lost in these storms, but also create stronger and more resilient New York communities.”
“As we continue our efforts to make our State better and stronger than before, we are committed to preserving and restoring our housing stock and ensuring that New Yorkers of all income levels have an appropriate place to call home,” said Interim Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Through this program, multiple State agencies are coming together to focus on these important issues, thereby working to generate more affordable housing resources and spur increased resiliency in New York’s storm-impacted communities.”
The Community Preservation Corporation will oversee the development of approximately 150 to 200 rental units, with at least 51 percent of new units at each property to be designated for local residents earning below 80 percent of the area median income. The program will target small properties, with eight to 20 units each in low-density areas that may not be normally reached by housing programs. Eligible projects could also include the adaptive reuse or substantial rehabilitation of vacant buildings.
“This program is closely in line with Community Preservation Corporation’s steadfast commitment to stabilizing and strengthening New York State by bringing much-needed capital to communities destroyed by natural disasters,” said Rafael E. Cestero, President and CEO of Community Preservation Corporation. “It is crucial to preserve these small developments where the majority of New York renters live, and we will leverage the expertise of our local field offices to identify areas with the greatest need. We look forward to working closely with Homes and Community Renewal and other partners to not only rebuild what was lost in these storms, but also create stronger and more resilient New York communities.”
“As we continue our efforts to make our State better and stronger than before, we are committed to preserving and restoring our housing stock and ensuring that New Yorkers of all income levels have an appropriate place to call home,” said Interim Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Storm Recovery Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “Through this program, multiple State agencies are coming together to focus on these important issues, thereby working to generate more affordable housing resources and spur increased resiliency in New York’s storm-impacted communities.”
Within the 33 eligible counties, there will
be focus on regions that include the State’s NY Rising Community
Preservation Corporation areas (http://www.stormrecovery.ny.
Congressman Eliot Engel said, “As Governor Cuomo has said in the past, New York is now being hit by 100 year storms every couple of years. This new reality requires a strong commitment to not only rebuild what was decimated by storms like Sandy, but to improve and strengthen those structures so that they can withstand future events. I toured the areas of my district hit by Sandy and Irene, and saw firsthand the devastation those storms created and are still creating to this day. I applaud the Governor for prioritizing the needs of our affordable housing residents here in New York, and I am certain these federal funds will help make our communities more resilient and safer in the future.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Extreme weather events have had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable populations in the Capital Region and across the state of New York. In Washington and Albany, we know that recovery from Irene and Lee is not complete until every last homeowner and business is back on their feet. I am pleased to see this funding going towards affordable housing, which will encourage developers to rebuild these units and give hope to families that saw their houses damaged or destroyed in these storms. I thank the Governor for responsible and efficient management of this funding, and I look forward to continuing our push to act on climate change and mitigate future negative impacts of severe weather.”
Congressman Eliot Engel said, “As Governor Cuomo has said in the past, New York is now being hit by 100 year storms every couple of years. This new reality requires a strong commitment to not only rebuild what was decimated by storms like Sandy, but to improve and strengthen those structures so that they can withstand future events. I toured the areas of my district hit by Sandy and Irene, and saw firsthand the devastation those storms created and are still creating to this day. I applaud the Governor for prioritizing the needs of our affordable housing residents here in New York, and I am certain these federal funds will help make our communities more resilient and safer in the future.”
Congressman Paul Tonko said, “Extreme weather events have had a devastating impact on the most vulnerable populations in the Capital Region and across the state of New York. In Washington and Albany, we know that recovery from Irene and Lee is not complete until every last homeowner and business is back on their feet. I am pleased to see this funding going towards affordable housing, which will encourage developers to rebuild these units and give hope to families that saw their houses damaged or destroyed in these storms. I thank the Governor for responsible and efficient management of this funding, and I look forward to continuing our push to act on climate change and mitigate future negative impacts of severe weather.”
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew Cuomo
New Yorkers Urged to Be Prepared for Tropical Storm Conditions
Severe Conditions, Including High Winds
and Flooding, Could Develop This Weekend
and Flooding, Could Develop This Weekend
Governor Andrew Cuomo today urged
residents to begin preparing their homes and families for heavy rains
and potential flooding and the possible arrival of Hurricane Joaquin
later this week. The Governor also reminded New Yorkers to sign up for
NY-Alert at https://users.nyalert.gov to receive immediate alerts on flood warnings and severe storms.
“Our state has seen the damage that extreme weather can cause time and time again – and I am urging New Yorkers take precautions for more heavy storms in the coming days,” Governor Cuomo said. “Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene proved that you do not have to be near the coast to be impacted by Mother Nature. I have directed State agencies to ready their emergency response equipment in partnership with local governments, and I encourage all of our state’s residents to be prepared and stay safe.”
The storm currently moving through the State will bring at least 3-6 inches of rain through Thursday for many parts of the State, with the heaviest rainfall bands moving now from the southern Adirondacks to the Capital District, and east to the northern Taconics. By noon, the heaviest rains should move out of New York State; light rain and showers will continue through the afternoon. The likeliest threats from this storm will be minor to moderate urban and poor drainage flooding.
Flood Watches are currently in effect for the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie Ulster, Warren, Washington – until Thursday morning – and Essex until late tonight.
“Our state has seen the damage that extreme weather can cause time and time again – and I am urging New Yorkers take precautions for more heavy storms in the coming days,” Governor Cuomo said. “Tropical Storm Lee and Hurricane Irene proved that you do not have to be near the coast to be impacted by Mother Nature. I have directed State agencies to ready their emergency response equipment in partnership with local governments, and I encourage all of our state’s residents to be prepared and stay safe.”
The storm currently moving through the State will bring at least 3-6 inches of rain through Thursday for many parts of the State, with the heaviest rainfall bands moving now from the southern Adirondacks to the Capital District, and east to the northern Taconics. By noon, the heaviest rains should move out of New York State; light rain and showers will continue through the afternoon. The likeliest threats from this storm will be minor to moderate urban and poor drainage flooding.
Flood Watches are currently in effect for the following counties: Albany, Columbia, Dutchess, Fulton, Greene, Hamilton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Schoharie Ulster, Warren, Washington – until Thursday morning – and Essex until late tonight.
Today through Friday, the combination of strong northerly winds, saturated ground, and leaves still on trees will bring the potential for downed trees and scattered power outages. Another possible round of rain this weekend from Hurricane Joaquin will increase the potential for widespread flash flooding and minor coastal flooding.
This morning, the National Hurricane Center reported that Joaquin was upgraded to a hurricane. At 8:00 a.m., the center of Hurricane Joaquin was located 245 miles east-northeast of the central Bahamas and moving SW at near six miles per hour. A general motion toward the west-southwest or southwest is expected to continue through tonight. A turn toward the west and a decrease in forward speed are forecast on Thursday, and Joaquin is expected to move near or over portions of the central Bahamas tonight and Thursday. Maximum sustained winds have increased to near 75 mph with higher gusts. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 30 miles from the center, and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 125 miles from the center. Additional strengthening is forecast during the next 48 hours.
John P. Melville, Commissioner of the NYS Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services said: “The State is doing its part to make sure we are ready to support our local partners quickly, however it all starts at home. Having emergency supplies on hand such as flashlights and batteries, and water and canned goods is essential. Residents should begin monitoring weather conditions through local media reports and broadcasts, and be sure to follow any protective orders issued by emergency officials.”
Governor Cuomo urged New Yorkers to take the following actions:
Know your weather terms – A flash flood
“watch” indicates flash flooding or flooding is possible within the
designated watch area. When a watch is issued, be alert and ready to
take action. A flash flood “warning” means flash flooding or flooding
has been reported or is imminent. You should take necessary precautions
and actions at once.
Stock up on emergency supplies, including non-perishable food and water, to last for more than 72 hours or three days.
Know how to contact all family members at
all times. Identify an out-of-town friend or family member to be the
“emergency family contact” and make sure all family members know that
number.
Designate a family emergency meeting point – a familiar location where the family can meet in case the home is inaccessible.
Prepare an emergency phone list of people
and organizations that may need to be called, including schools,
doctors, child/senior care providers, and insurance agents.
Know the hurricane / storm risks in your area, including storm surge history.
Learn about your community’s warning signals and evacuation plans.
Start thinking about where to relocate your pets during a storm.
Stock up on prescribed medicines and prepare supplies for persons with special needs such as children, the elderly, and infirm.
Check on neighbors to ensure they are aware of the potential danger and what they need to do to prepare for the storm.
More information on hurricane preparedness and what you can do to protect yourself and your family is available here.
About DHSES
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.
About DHSES
The Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) and its four offices -- Counter Terrorism, Emergency Management, Fire Prevention and Control, and Interoperable and Emergency Communications -- provide leadership, coordination and support for efforts to prevent, protect against, prepare for, respond to, and recover from terrorism and other man-made and natural disasters, threats, fires and other emergencies. For more information, visit the DHSES Facebook page, follow @NYSDHSES on Twitter, or visit dhses.ny.gov.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew Cuomo
Senator Urges AG Schneiderman to Investigate Price Gouging for Prescription Meds
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
By Senator Rev. Rubén DÃaz
District 32 Bronx County, New York
It’s Time for NYS Attorney
General Eric Schneiderman
to Investigate Price Gouging for Prescription Medication
to Investigate Price Gouging for Prescription Medication
You should know that after reading
an article on September 20, 2015 in The New York Timeswritten by
Andrew Pollack titled "Drug
Goes From $13.50 a Tablet to $750, Overnight",
I learned about the atrocities that our senior citizens and vulnerable
New Yorkers are subject to because of price gouging for prescription medication
by some New York-based pharmaceutical companies.
You should also know that every year since 2009, I have submitted legislation to allow for the State of New York to purchase bulk prescription drugs from Canada for our seniors. My Senate bill mirrors what is perfectly legal in Schenectady County in upstate New York, and while it has been routinely ignored, now is the time for Senate Bill S470 to get passed and signed into law.
Senate Bill S470 is an act to amend the elder law, in relation to the New York state prescription medication cost containment program. Its purpose is to enhance cost savings by the NYS EPIC program in procurement of prescription medications for recipients of the state's EPIC program.
With all of the publicity about the gluttonous price gouging that exists in the pharmaceutical industry, I am confident that my colleagues will review Senate Bill S470 and push it through the Senate.
You may know that in response to media reports about the skyrocketing overnight increases in Turing Pharmaceutical's drug that treats a life-threatening parasitic infection in HIV and cancer patients, even Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: “Price-gouging like this in the specialty drug market is outrageous.”
It troubles me to wonder how the pharmaceutical industry can, in fact, gouge tons of prescription medicines as a matter of routine. Who is to say that these exorbitant costs won't eliminate certain necessary treatment for our seniors and for people with disabilities?
My dear reader, we are on another "quality of life" slippery slope.
As the Ranking Member of the New York State Committee on Aging, I remain insistent that no senior citizen in New York State should ever have to decide if he or she will eat or get their prescription medication, nor should they be forced to move to Schenectady County to do afford their prescription medication.
New Yorkers who remain outside of Schenectady County pay much higher prescription prices than who reside there - because Schenectady County residents are allowed to benefit from Canada's bulk prescription prices. The rest of New York State deserves these cost-effective benefits, too!
I am urging my colleagues in government and for all New Yorkers to review my Senate Bill S470 and take action so that our seniors don't get swept up into debt or even worse - deprived of the health care they need and deserve.
With the passing of my Bill S470, the State of New York will also save more than one billion dollars that could be used other ways, e.g. education, housing, social services, senior citizen programs, etc.
You should know that I am calling upon New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate price gouging for all New York-based pharmaceutical companies involved. I also ask that Eric Schneiderman, along with any interested investigative reporters and journalism students to delve into the records of campaign contributions made by our pharmaceuticals. Which companies donate and who receives their donations?
I am also asking for New York State Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair of the State Committee on Health, to hold public hearings to investigate these issues.
The protection and well-being of our senior citizen population in New York State should take precedence and should be on the top of every elected official’s agenda.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz and this is what you should know.
You should also know that every year since 2009, I have submitted legislation to allow for the State of New York to purchase bulk prescription drugs from Canada for our seniors. My Senate bill mirrors what is perfectly legal in Schenectady County in upstate New York, and while it has been routinely ignored, now is the time for Senate Bill S470 to get passed and signed into law.
Senate Bill S470 is an act to amend the elder law, in relation to the New York state prescription medication cost containment program. Its purpose is to enhance cost savings by the NYS EPIC program in procurement of prescription medications for recipients of the state's EPIC program.
With all of the publicity about the gluttonous price gouging that exists in the pharmaceutical industry, I am confident that my colleagues will review Senate Bill S470 and push it through the Senate.
You may know that in response to media reports about the skyrocketing overnight increases in Turing Pharmaceutical's drug that treats a life-threatening parasitic infection in HIV and cancer patients, even Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton tweeted: “Price-gouging like this in the specialty drug market is outrageous.”
It troubles me to wonder how the pharmaceutical industry can, in fact, gouge tons of prescription medicines as a matter of routine. Who is to say that these exorbitant costs won't eliminate certain necessary treatment for our seniors and for people with disabilities?
My dear reader, we are on another "quality of life" slippery slope.
As the Ranking Member of the New York State Committee on Aging, I remain insistent that no senior citizen in New York State should ever have to decide if he or she will eat or get their prescription medication, nor should they be forced to move to Schenectady County to do afford their prescription medication.
New Yorkers who remain outside of Schenectady County pay much higher prescription prices than who reside there - because Schenectady County residents are allowed to benefit from Canada's bulk prescription prices. The rest of New York State deserves these cost-effective benefits, too!
I am urging my colleagues in government and for all New Yorkers to review my Senate Bill S470 and take action so that our seniors don't get swept up into debt or even worse - deprived of the health care they need and deserve.
With the passing of my Bill S470, the State of New York will also save more than one billion dollars that could be used other ways, e.g. education, housing, social services, senior citizen programs, etc.
You should know that I am calling upon New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to investigate price gouging for all New York-based pharmaceutical companies involved. I also ask that Eric Schneiderman, along with any interested investigative reporters and journalism students to delve into the records of campaign contributions made by our pharmaceuticals. Which companies donate and who receives their donations?
I am also asking for New York State Senator Kemp Hannon, Chair of the State Committee on Health, to hold public hearings to investigate these issues.
The protection and well-being of our senior citizen population in New York State should take precedence and should be on the top of every elected official’s agenda.
I am Senator Reverend Rubén DÃaz and this is what you should know.
$20 Million Carbon XPrize Contest Takes on Climate Change
Carbon dioxide emissions from the burning of
fossil fuels have long been recognized as one of the major drivers of
climate change. A new competition is offering $20 million in total prize
money to teams that can find ways to turn those carbon emissions into
something useful, instead of treating them as pure waste.
The NRG COSIA Carbon XPrize,
announced Tuesday, aims to accelerate the development and real-world
adoption of new and emerging CO2 conversion technologies. The prize is
being funded by U.S.-based energy company NRG Energy and Canada's Oil
Sands Innovation Alliance (COSIA), an industry group.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
Everyone With HIV Needs Drugs, WHO Says
Everyone with HIV should be given antiviral drugs as soon as
possible after diagnosis, meaning 37 million people worldwide should be
on treatment, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.
Recent clinical trials have confirmed that early drug use extends the lives of
those with the AIDS-causing virus and cuts the risk of disease
transmission to partners, the WHO said in a statement setting out the
new goal for its 194 member states.
All people at "substantial" risk of contracting
HIV should also be given preventive ART, not just men who have sex with
men, the WHO said.
Click here for the full article.
McCarthy Links Benghazi Panel, Clinton's Sinking Poll Numbers
There's no question that the congressional investigation into the
Benghazi attacks - and the resulting focus on Hillary Clinton's use of a
private email server - have hurt Hillary Clinton's poll numbers. But
top Republicans have studiously avoided saying that the special
investigative panel also achieved political goals - until now.
Kevin McCarthy, the current House majority
leader and the heir apparent to outgoing Speaker John Boehner, directly
linked the Benghazi panel to decreased support for the Democratic
frontrunner during an appearance on FOX News Tuesday night.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBC News
First Read: More (TV Ad) Money, More Problems
First Read is a morning briefing from Meet the Press and the NBC
Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why
they matter.
Hey, big spenders -- it hasn't helped your poll numbers just yet
How much does money matter in the current
presidential contest? So far, not that much -- at least in terms of
those who have spent the most on TV ads. Indeed, with a few exceptions,
our list of the biggest spenders in the TV ad wars looks like an INVERSE
to the current polling, according to the latest ad-spending data by NBC partner SMG Delta:
- Team Bush: $5.4 million ($5 million from the Right to Rise Super PAC, $400K from the campaign)
- Team Kasich: $4.9 million (all in New Hampshire)
- Team Clinton: $4.1 million (all from the campaign)
- Team Rubio: $3.9 million (all from the outside group Conservative Solutions)
- Team Christie $2.9 million (all in New Hampshire)
- Team Jindal: $2.5 million (all in Iowa)
- Team Trump: $0
- Team Sanders: $0
- Team Fiorina: $3,315
- Team Carson: $400,000
Poll: 67 Percent of Latinos Have 'Very Negative' View of Trump
Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump - and the GOP as a whole - are deeply underwater with American Latinos, a new NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Telemundo survey shows.
Nearly three in four Latinos say they have a
negative view of Trump, with 67 percent saying their view is "very
negative." Trump, who has called for mass deportation of undocumented
immigrants and has derided opponent Jeb Bush for speaking Spanish at
campaign events, gets a thumbs up from just 11 percent of Latinos.
Click here for the full article.
Series of Bombs in Southwest China Kills at Least Seven
Reuters, 30/09 15:53 CET
BEIJING (Reuters) – A series of package
bombs exploded on Wednesday in the southwest China city of Liuzhou,
killing at least seven people and injuring 51, state media said.
The official Xinhua news agency said police had
determined the blasts were a “criminal” act and identified the suspect
as a 33-year-old local man surnamed Wei, but added the investigation was
continuing.
Media images showed a collapsed building, smoke and
streets strewn with rubble in Liuzhou in Guangxi region. Two people were
missing, state radio said on its microblog.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Euronews
France’s Sarkozy Disowns Ally Over ‘White Race’ Comments
Nicolas Sarkozy
Reuters, 30/09 14:16 CET
PARIS (Reuters) – Former French President
Nicolas Sarkozy on Wednesday removed one of his staunchest allies from
his conservative party’s list for December regional elections,
punishment for saying France was a “white race” country that must stay
that way.
After four days of silence over the latest outburst from
outspoken lawmaker Nadine Morano, Sarkozy said her comments harmed The
Republicans party’s image and could not stay without consequences.
The case illustrates the challenge posed to Sarkozy in
his bid to unite a divided party which is struggling in particular to
decide its line on immigration under pressure from an increasingly
popular far-right National Front.
Click here for the full article.
Tuesday, September 29, 2015
Planned Parenthood President's Tesimony on Taxpayer Funding
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America,
testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on
her organization’s use of taxpayer funding.
Click here for video.
Source: C-Span
18-Day Fast Comes to an End for Renowned Activist
By Ted Glick
“The gift of the Earth with its fruits belongs to everyone.” — Pope Francis, Laudato Si’, paragraph 71.
There were many kind people,
including some Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) employees, who
thanked me or had supportive things to say during the 18
days that I fasted on water only in front of FERC with 11 other
sisters and brothers from Sept. 8 – 25. But there are three people whose words
I doubt I’ll ever forget.
There was the young black
woman whose job was to staff a small booth by the entrance to an underground
parking lot just across from the main employee entrance to FERC. She was
friendly and over the three weeks that I stood across from her during the work
week, holding signs and distributing leaflets to FERC employees going into or
leaving work, we often exchanged small talk and smiles. About a week before it
ended she commended us on our courage. Then, on the 15th day, she told me,
“Some women came by yesterday, asking me, ‘What are they doing here?’ and I
told them, ‘They are taking action for all of us.’ Some of us have jobs and
have to pay bills and can’t do what you’re doing, but I think what you are
doing is important.”
Then there was the Homeland
Security Federal Protective Services policeman, a tall, tough-looking, white guy,
who came by to talk to me on day 18, asking how I was doing, clearly impacted
by our willingness to suffer for what we believed in. After a couple of minutes
he said, “I’ve seen lots of groups demonstrating on issues, but yours is the
most persistent one I’ve ever seen.”
But the most profound
interaction I had was with a woman who might not have known I was fasting. She
was an old white woman, on crutches, looking like she was homeless, a beggar on
the DC Metro subway. I had seen her earlier in the 18-day ordeal; she had come
up to me asking for money. On day 16, the day the Pope was in town meeting with
President Obama, on my way home from FERC in the evening to the church where we
stayed every night, I saw her again. We were both standing on the Metro
platform and I had a mounted, blown-up picture of the Pope holding a sign which
said, “No
al Fracking.”
She came over to me, our eyes
connected and she said, to paraphrase, “You know, I know all about Jesus Christ
and everything, but I just want to say that if it’s not about unity, it doesn’t
mean crap.” I had listened carefully and what she said rang true, was genuine
and deep, and I responded, “Yes, you’re right. That is absolutely true.”
The Beyond Extreme Energy-organized
“Fast for No New Permits” was not explicitly about “unity.” It was the latest
in a now-over-a-year campaign focused on what we call “the most dangerous federal
agency most people have never heard of.” We are doing everything we can think
of to throw a nonviolent wrench into the gears of the FERC machinery. This
semi-independent agency has just kept grinding out permit after permit for the
expansion of fracked gas infrastructure, with virtually no rejections of gas
industry proposals, from what we’re able to tell, for many, many years.
The idea of doing a serious
fast emerged a few months ago as some of us realized that the Pope was going to
be in DC in late September, the Pope who has been outspoken about the need for
action on the climate crisis and who, yes, had no problem being photographed a
couple years ago with that “No al Fracking” sign.
And so on Sept. 8, the
day after Labor Day, 12 of us, from ages 19 to 72, began a diet that consisted
of water, salt and potassium. Ten of us continued on that diet until the 25th,
the day after the Pope’s speech to the U.S. Congress. One faster had to end it
around day 10 because of serious physical difficulties he was encountering; the
other did so after about 14 days because of her need to build back some
strength before joining a 900-mile walk from Rome to Paris beginning next week
in connection with the early December UN Climate Conference.
There were at least 100 other
people who fasted around the country, including several who fasted for 18 days
also, as I understand it, in Oak Flat, Arizona, protesting federal plans to
take land in Tonto National Forest sacred to local Apache nations and give it
to multinational copper companies to mine.
In DC we 12 fasters and other
supporters set up camp in front of FERC on the sidewalk every work day from 7
a.m. to 6 p.m. We passed out many thousands of leaflets and had hundreds of
conversations with FERC employees and people passing by. Dutch TV came by and
did interviews, as did a dozen or more other press outlets. We found a great
deal of support and almost no overt hostility. One of the more interesting
conversations we had was with Norman Bay, chair of FERC. I was able to talk
with for a few minutes when he was spotted coming out of the FERC building
while most of us on this very hot, sunny day were across the street in the
shade of a 30-foot high stone wall. Little of direct substance came out of that
discussion, though you never know.
On the 17th day, the day the
Pope spoke to Congress, we had a breakthrough with the Washington Post
when a reporter interviewed me on the mall and posted a blog about it that
morning. The next day that blog post became a substantial part of a good and
prominent article in the first section of the paper, taking up 2/3rds of a page
and with a big picture. It was helpful to see that Post article reporting that
our fast was “to protest what he said was the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission’s support for the use of fossil
fuels and pipelines.”
I would expect lots of FERC
employees, including Commissioners, as well as DC judges who will be hearing
appeals of FERC’s rubber-stamping ways, see that article and smile.
In DC we 12 fasters and other
supporters set up camp in front of FERC on the sidewalk every work day from 7
a.m. to 6 p.m. We passed out many thousands of leaflets and had hundreds of
conversations with FERC employees and people passing by. Dutch TV came by and
did interviews, as did a dozen or more other press outlets. We found a great
deal of support and almost no overt hostility. One of the more interesting
conversations we had was with Norman Bay, chair of FERC. I was able to talk
with for a few minutes when he was spotted coming out of the FERC building
while most of us on this very hot, sunny day were across the street in the
shade of a 30-foot high stone wall. Little of direct substance came out of that
discussion, though you never know.
On the 17th day, the day the
Pope spoke to Congress, we had a breakthrough with the Washington Post
when a reporter interviewed me on the mall and posted a blog about it that
morning. The next day that blog post became a substantial part of a good and
prominent article in the first section of the paper, taking up 2/3rds of a page
and with a big picture. It was helpful to see that Post article reporting that
our fast was “to protest what he said was the Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission’s support for the use of fossil
fuels and pipelines.”
I would expect lots of FERC
employees, including Commissioners, as well as DC judges who will be hearing
appeals of FERC’s rubber-stamping ways, see that article and smile.
There is no question this was
an effective action. But it was more than that. In significant part because it
was a fast—what Gandhi called “the most sincere form of prayer”—and connected
to the visit of the people’s Pope, it was also, indeed, about unity, about what
the wise, old, beggar woman on the Metro platform had said to me on day 16.
Yes, “the gift of the earth
with its fruits belongs to everyone.” And yes, “a true ecological approach
always becomes a social approach, it musts integrate questions of justice in
debates on the environment, so as to hear both the cry of the Earth and the cry
of the poor.” (paragraph 49).
And more directly, to amplify
the wise woman, “Everything is connected. Concern for the environment thus
needs to be joined to a sincere love for our fellow human beings and an
unwavering commitment to resolving the problems of society.” (paragraph 91).
I lost 30 pounds over those 18
days. It is good to be eating again, slowly returning to normal eating habits.
It is good to have energy to work, feel my strength beginning to return, to
taste the delicious flavors of fruits and vegetables, the only things I am
eating these first two days of my back-to-normal-eating, nine-day plan. It is
good to be home after three weeks away. And it is good to know that the
memories of those 18 days and the wonderful community of sister and brother
fasters and supporters will be with me always, nourishing my commitment to keep
taking action for a stable climate and a transformed world until the day I die.
Ted Glick is the National
Campaign Coordinator of the Chesapeake Climate Action Network. Past writings
and other information can be found at tedglick.com
and he can be followed on Twitter.
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