New York

October 15, 2009 -- New York, NY – Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (D-NY), Chair of the Joint Economic Committee, issued the following statement regarding the New York State Labor Department’s September 2009 state employment data. The data showed that New York State’s unemployment rate remained at 8.9 percent in September.    » read more »

October 15, 2009 -- The New York City Department of Education's test-based promotion and retention policy, which identifies and provides support for struggling students, has demonstrated positive effects for student achievement in fifth grade that continue into seventh grade, according to a new RAND Corporation study issued today.

Researchers found that the policy helped students boost their performance on state assessment tests, a critical step toward advancing to the next grade level. The study also found that students retained under the policy didn't suffer negative social or emotional effects as a result of repeating a grade level.    » read more »

Levels of Benzene Found in Tonawanda's Air as High as 75 Times the Amount Allowed in NYS, Posing a Real and Present Threat to Residents' Health

October 14, 2009 -- Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer demanded owner and CEO of the Tonawanda Coke Corporation meet with community groups and listen – in person – to their complaints about the pollution coming from the Tonawanda facility and to explore potential solutions.

In a letter to Schumer, Crane wrote that the type of allegations being made against the Tonawanda coke plant “cannot be sustained when viewed in the clear light of supportable facts, science and analysis,” and blamed the elevated benzene levels on automobile traffic.    » read more »

Program Will Assist Low-Income and Unemployed New Yorkers Train for Green Collar Jobs

October 13, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today signed the Green Jobs/Green New York Act, establishing a program that will create green jobs and stimulate investment in weatherization and energy efficiency improvements for residential and commercial buildings. Governor Paterson held the signing ceremony at the New York State Weatherization Directors Association training center in North Syracuse, where New Yorkers are being trained to weatherize and retrofit homes.    » read more »

Nearly $40 Million, Including $11.8 Million Saved by Higgins, Will Support Green Public Transportation in WNY

October 13, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) and representatives from the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announced 91 new, clean, energy efficient buses will hit the streets of Western New York over the next 15 months thanks to $39,711,371 in federal funding.

“This significant investment in Western New York’s public transportation network will replacing older, less efficient buses, reduce costs, decrease our use of fossil fuel and reduce emissions leading to a better, cleaner community,” said Congressman Higgins.    » read more »

October 13, 2009, WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bart Gordon said he was pleased the U.S. Department of Energy revised its decision to send radioactive waste from New York to Tennessee for disposal in municipal landfills. The decision comes after DOE held a conference call and was met with strong opposition to the plan from interested stakeholders, including Congressman Bart Gordon, Tennessee environmentalists and government watchdog groups.

“This decision is a victory for Tennessee,” said Congressman Gordon. “This contaminated waste is radioactive and should be disposed of in a landfill that is officially certified to handle this kind of waste. There is no reason for New York’s radioactive waste to be dumped in any of Tennessee’s municipal landfills.”    » read more »

Overturning Bush Administration Precedent

In January 2008, Despite Widespread Support from NYS and Local Officials and Community Leaders, Then-Secretary of Interior Dirk Kempthorne Denied Applications for All Pending Off-Reservation Casinos, Including Those in Catskills

October 13, 2009 -- Today U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand wrote to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar, asking him to consider the pending applications for off reservation gambling in the Catskills on a case by case basis, and overturn the blanket ban established by his predecessor Dirk Kempthorne.    » read more »

Mayor Bloomberg proclaims New York City Wind Energy Day as AWEA rings NASDAQ Closing Bell

October 13, 2009 -- New York City – As the Honorable Michael Bloomberg offers an official proclamation declaring Wednesday, October 14, to be “New York City Wind Energy Day,” the wind energy industry descends on New York City’s Times Square for the American Wind Energy Association’s (AWEA) two-day Wind Power Finance & Investment Workshop. Featured activities will include AWEA ringing the NASDAQ Closing Bell, as well as the premiere of a wind power video in Times Square.    » read more »

U.S. Department of Energy Awards Hudson Valley Community College and New York City

October 9, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced the award of $4.4 million for solar energy projects in New York State. Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) received $3.5 million to develop a new solar photovoltaic training facility that will provide critical support for Governor Paterson’s efforts to develop the clean energy workforce.

Additionally, New York City received $932,508 to support development of solar electric generation. The awards were made by the U.S. Department of Energy with funds available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Washington, D.C. -- Reps. Mike Castle (R-DE) and Carolyn McCarthy (D-NY), House architects of the Gun Show Loophole Closing Act (HR 2324), today praised Mayor Bloomberg's undercover investigation by the City of New York of illegal sales of firearms at gun shows in three states, and the report's recommendation for closing the gun show loophole.

Reps. Castle and McCarthy believe that now is the ideal time for HR 2324 to gain traction in Congress as Senator Frank Lautenberg introduced similar legislation and on the 2008 Presidential campaign trail, the concept enjoyed the bipartisan support of both candidates.    » read more »

October 9, 2009 -- Congressman Brian Higgins (NY-27) announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded Chautauqua County with a grant totaling $2,641,354. The funds are provided through HUD’s Lead Hazard Control Program.

“The same older housing stock that contributes to Chautauqua County’s character also adds to the risk factor for lead poisoning,” said Congressman Higgins. “This sizeable grant will support education and prevention to reduce this risk and keep our children and neighborhoods safe.”    » read more »

Major Boost For High Threat Areas, Transit, And Ports; House and Senate Set to Approve DHS Funding Bill Next Weeks

October 9, 2009 -- (New York, NY) – In light of Najibullah Zazi’s efforts to stage a terrorist attack against New York City's mass transit system, U.S. Representative Joseph Crowley and U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer announced today that New York City is in line to receive millions in additional security funding to protect our city against terrorist attacks.    » read more »

October 7, 2009 -- Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY-28) today said the state’s $11.6 billion request for additional stimulus funds to improve high-speed rail service from Niagara Falls to New York City will help spark new economic growth.

“This application is an important step forward in building a better economic future for New York,” said Slaughter. “High-speed rail has the potential to expand our regional workforce, improve commerce, generate new tourism opportunities and spark revitalization in our region for years to come. Eventually I hope to connect the Empire Corridor to Toronto, Montreal and back down to Albany creating a large economic development center.”    » read more »

Funding Encourages Eradication of Invasive Pest

October 8, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Michael E. McMahon and Anthony D. Weiner, colleagues in the New York City Delegation, announce that $33 million in funds had been allocated to exterminate the Asian Long-Horned Beetle (ALB), an invasive pest that has destroyed tens of thousands of trees in the New York metropolitan area and is considered a serious threat to the city. The funding was awarded as part of the Agriculture Appropriations Act, which passed the House this afternoon.    » read more »

$10 Million in Stimulus Funding Now Available through NYSERDA for Solar Projects; NYPA Also Expected to Make Formal Request for Proposals this Year for 100-Megawatt Solar Power Initiative

October 07, 2009 -- New York Governor David A. Paterson today announced that $10 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding is now available through a competitive statewide solicitation for solar energy projects in New York State.    » read more »