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	<title>The Wonkster &#187; Health</title>
	<atom:link href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/category/health/feed/" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
	<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster</link>
	<description>A blog about the views and spews of editorialists, bloggers and other unsavory opinionated New Yorkers.</description>
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		<title>Quinn on Fingerprinting for Food Stamps</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/05/quinn-on-fingerprinting-for-food-stamps/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2012/01/05/quinn-on-fingerprinting-for-food-stamps/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jan 2012 21:51:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[food stamps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike bloomberg]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10428</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemingly went after the city&#8217;s policy of fingerprinting people who want access to food stamps in his State of the State Address. The Bloomberg administration has supported the measure as a way to stop fraud and Bloomberg dismissed Cuomo&#8217;s statement in a press conference following the speech. Council Speaker Christine Quinn just [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo seemingly went after the city&#8217;s policy of fingerprinting people who want access to food stamps <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Albany/20120105/204/3664">in his State of the State Address</a>. The Bloomberg administration has supported the measure as a way to stop fraud and Bloomberg dismissed Cuomo&#8217;s statement in a <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/political_news/153641/bloomberg-snipes-at-cuomo-s-food-stamp-proposal">press conference following the speech</a>. Council Speaker Christine Quinn just weighed in via press release and she is taking Cuomo&#8217;s side.</p>
<p>“In these tough economic times, we need to help New Yorkers get the federal services they qualify for, not put obstacles in their way. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg and I couldn’t disagree more — fingerprinting food stamp applicants is a time consuming and unnecessary process, which stigmatizes applicants and has prevented 24,000 New Yorkers from getting the help they deserve.  The State has the authority to eliminate finger imaging in New York City, and the Mayor should not even think of challenging Governor Cuomo’s decision.”</p>
<p>Cuomo said in his State of the State yesterday that, &#8220;One of the things we do now and makes the stigma actually worse and creates a barrier for families coming forward to get food stamps is we require fingerprinting. I&#8217;m saying stop fingerprinting for families,” said Cuomo.</p>
<p>Bloomberg told reporters, &#8220;“It’s not a stigma, and it may be elsewhere in the state, and maybe that’s what he was referring to, but it’s certainly not a stigma.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Hearings on Helping Veterans</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/25/hearings-on-helping-veterans/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/25/hearings-on-helping-veterans/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 25 Oct 2011 20:29:37 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[michael bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[veterans]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10233</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The New York State Assembly along with the Senate Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force will be holding a televised town hall meeting tomorrow in conjunction with Time Warner Cable to discuss issues facing returning veterans. The meeting called, &#8220;New York Cares About Veterans&#8221; will take place from 6 -7:30 p.m..
The discussion, according to the press [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The New York State Assembly along with the Senate Puerto Rican Hispanic Task Force will be holding a televised town hall meeting tomorrow in conjunction with Time Warner Cable to discuss issues facing returning veterans. The meeting called, &#8220;New York Cares About Veterans&#8221; will take place from 6 -7:30 p.m..</p>
<p>The discussion, according to the press release, will include issues like the governments preparedness to provide services to veterans with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome, providing veterans with jobs housing and education opportunities and what kind of help the military offers returning veterans. The Gazette recently <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/Health/20111022/9/3624">took a look at the services</a> provided to veterans by Mayor Michael Bloombergs Office of Veterans Affairs. A a number of city council members were shocked by the lack of services provided by OVA. The following press release contains locations where you can attend the state-wide town hall:</p>
<p><span id="more-10233"></span></p>
<p>The New York State Assembly/Senate Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force, along with HITN-TV and Time Warner Cable, will be hosting the second statewide Town Hall meeting. The meeting will be held at various locations across the state on Wednesday, October 26th, 2011 from 6:00 pm to7:30 pm. The topic of the statewide Town Hall meeting is: “New York State Cares About Veterans”.</p>
<p>This Town Hall meeting will focus on the concerns that confront our returning veterans and discuss what can be done to help veterans assimilate back into the community after serving on behalf of this nation. Education, Employment Opportunities, Health/Mental Health and Housing, are among the topics of discussion regarding veterans. It is imperative that, as a state, we make sure that our veterans are accounted for in these areas.</p>
<p>The questions that will be addressed in the meeting are:</p>
<p>Soldiers are leaving the battlefield to fight another war at home—a war against economic instability, unemployment and homelessness. They also face a host of health conditions including post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD), alcohol and drug abuse, suicide and other medical needs.  According to your experience, what do you think can be done at the policy level to ensure that these brave and noble men and women receive the proper services that they need, and deserve?<br />
There are Federal laws in place to aid veterans who return from war. Are they appropriate and strong enough to ensure that all veterans, including National Guard and reservists, are able to return to society without the loss of jobs, housing, health, and education opportunities? If not, what recommendations can we make to the federal government to secure their stability? What can be done at the state level to close the gap?<br />
Does the military have enough services to address the needs of women serving in the armed forces, both in the job and when they leave service? Is there enough support for families left in the communities when men and women are called to active duty (overseas missions).  How can state and local governments support these families?</p>
<p>The statewide Town Hall meeting will be available for viewing on the Somosnewyork.org website. To review the results from the first town hall meeting on Economic Development please visit our website at Somosnewyork.org</p>
<p>The general public is invited to attend at the various locations.</p>
<p>List locations with addresses and local moderators</p>
<p>Location of Town Hal</p>
<p>Local Moderator</p>
<p>Address</p>
<p>New York- East Harlem Employment Services</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>240 E 123st  New York 10035</p>
<p>Bronx- Kingsbridge Heights Community Center</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>3101 Kingsbridge Terrace</p>
<p>Bronx, NY 10463</p>
<p>Brooklyn-  Opportunity For A Better Tomorrow</p>
<p>Assemblyman Felix Ortiz</p>
<p>25 Thornton St.  Brooklyn 11206</p>
<p>Long Island- Circulo de la Hispanidad in Hempstead</p>
<p>Assemblyman Phil Ramos</p>
<p>26 West Park Ave, Long Beach New York, 11561</p>
<p>Amsterdam- Centro Civico</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>143E. Main St.  Amsterdam 12010</p>
<p>Buffalo-Hispanic United of Buffalo</p>
<p>TBA</p>
<p>254 Virginia St. Buffalo 14201</p>
<p>Rochester-  Ibero American Action Leagues</p>
<p>Minority Leader Brian Kolb</p>
<p>817  East main street Rochester 14605</p>
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		<title>Quinn Ducks and Parries</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/06/quinn-ducks-and-parries/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/10/06/quinn-ducks-and-parries/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 06 Oct 2011 19:55:54 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[annabel palma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bloomberg administration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[chris quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[living wage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mike blomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oliver Koppell]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[outside contractors]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paid sick leave]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=10188</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Yesterday, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn presided over the passage of a bill that Mayor Michael Bloomberg adamantly opposes. Will she do it again?
This issue yesterday was the city&#8217;s increasing reliance on outside contractors. The City Council &#8212; obviously with strong backing from Quinn or else it wouldn&#8217;t have happened &#8212; unanimously passed a bill [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Yesterday, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn presided over the passage of a bill that Mayor Michael Bloomberg adamantly opposes. Will she do it again?</p>
<p>This issue yesterday was the city&#8217;s <a href=" http://gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110603/203/3537">increasing reliance</a> on outside contractors. The City Council &#8212; obviously with strong backing from Quinn or else it wouldn&#8217;t have happened &#8212; unanimously <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20111006/203/3615">passed a bill</a> requiring a kind of cost-benefit analysis of proposed contracts.</p>
<p>Bloomberg later, according to WNYC&#8217;s Bob Hennelly blasted the measure. &#8220;To put impediments to us getting the best deal for the taxpayers particularly during this economy is something we can not tolerate. We are just not going to have this bill,&#8221; Bloomberg said. </p>
<p>The next issue could be the so-called <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/work/20100115/22/3147">Living Wage bill</a>, a measure that would require businesses that get a city subsidy to pay their workers, not just the minimum wage but a living wage of $10 to $11.50 an hour, depending upon benefits.  </p>
<p>The administration opposes that one too &#8212; usually trying to obscure the fact that it would only apply to employers getting city money. Yesterday Bloomberg somehow linked it to the Soviet Union.</p>
<p>Quinn wants the mayor&#8217;s business supporter and backing for her mayoral quest. She&#8217;s also probably like at least some unions on her side and a stamp of approval from the many council members who are for the living wage. And so despite repeated questioning from reporters who phrased and rephrased the question yesterday, Quinn  would not be pinned down.</p>
<p>The verbal dueling after the jump.<br />
<span id="more-10188"></span></p>
<p>She said she hadn&#8217;t looked at the administration&#8217;s <a href=" https://www.documentcloud.org/documents/254818-report-on-impact-of-living-wage-mandate.html">study</a> on the living wage because she was watching a baseball game. She said she didn&#8217;t know what the changes offered by sponsors <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/council11">Oliver Koppell</a> and <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/18">Annabel Palma</a> might be because they had not yet been introduced. She said she could not rely on <a href=" http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20111003/LABOR_UNIONS/111009986">press accounts</a> of those amendments. </p>
<p>Asked what she thought about the spirit of the bill, she ducked again, saying, &#8220;I don&#8217;t know that the spirit of the bill or the content of the bill hasn&#8217;t changed.&#8221;</p>
<p>Pressed again, Quinn answered, &#8220;It&#8217;s not that I have no opinion. It&#8217;s that I have nothing to give an opinion on. &#8230; I will have an opinion but I can&#8217;t give opinion on things that don&#8217;t exist or things I haven&#8217;t read.&#8221;</p>
<p>If this sounds familiar it should. For months Quinn dodged giving answers on a pieces of legislation &#8212; also backed by labor and by council progressives&#8211;  that would have require city employers to <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/20091116/212/3103">give paid sick days</a> to their workers. (In fact the maneuvering on the issue is so familiar that one reporter, Azi Paybarah of Capital, confused them when questioning Quinn yesterday.)</p>
<p>What happened then? Quinn  came out <a href=" http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20101015/203/3384">against the measure</a>, and it seems to be all but dead.</p>
<p>As to the living wage bill> Quinn says it&#8217;s in &#8220;suspended animation.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Food Stamps for Soda</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/19/food-stamps-for-soda/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/08/19/food-stamps-for-soda/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Aug 2011 21:49:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9996</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The federal Department of Agriculture has rejected the Bloomberg administration&#8217;s bid to bar New Yorkers from using food stamps to purchase soda sweetened with sugar.
The city made its  request last fall, proposing a two-year test to see how effective a ban might be. The move – part of the administration&#8217;s campaign against obesity &#8212; [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The federal Department of Agriculture has <a href=" http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/08/19/washington-rejects-n-y-c-ban-on-use-of-food-stamps-to-buy-sodas/">rejected</a> the Bloomberg administration&#8217;s bid to bar New Yorkers from using food stamps to purchase soda sweetened with sugar.</p>
<p>The city made its <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/07/nyregion/07stamps.html"> request</a> last fall, proposing a two-year test to see how effective a ban might be. The move – part of the administration&#8217;s campaign against obesity &#8212; came after the state legislature rejected efforts to put a tax on the sugary beverage.</p>
<p>While soda lobbyists, of course, <a href=" http://gothamist.com/2011/04/30/big_soda_not_happy_about_bloombergs.php">objected</a> to the restriction on food stamp use, even many public health experts questioned it from the get-go, fearing that it unfairly singled out people who receive food stamp. The agriculture department always seemed unlikely to approve the ban, and some <a href=" http://gothamist.com/2010/10/08/food_stamp_soda_ban_seems_unlikely.php">questioned</a> whether it even had the authority to do so without congressional approval. </p>
<p>Rather than a ban, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack reportedly said in a letter, the department prefers to promote &#8221; incentive-based solutions that are better suited for the working families, elderly and other low-income individuals&#8221; who get food stamps.</p>
<p>In a statement, Mayor Michael Bloomberg expressed disappointment with the decision. &#8220;We think our innovative pilot would have done more to protect people from the crippling effects of preventable illnesses like diabetes and obesity than anything being proposed anywhere else in this country – and at little or no cost to taxpayers,&#8221; the statement said.</p>
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		<title>Law on Pregnancy Centers Blocked</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/13/law-on-pregnancy-centers-blocked/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/07/13/law-on-pregnancy-centers-blocked/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 14 Jul 2011 02:15:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9877</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[A federal judge yesterday threw out a city law regulating so-called pregnancy crisis centers, only hours before the measure was set to take effect.  The law,  passed by City Council in March and signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, would require these centers to disclose that they do not provide abortions. They also would [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>A federal judge yesterday threw out a city law regulating so-called pregnancy crisis centers, only hours before the measure was set to take effect.  The law, <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110303/203/3478"> passed by City Council in March</a> and signed by Mayor Michael Bloomberg, would require these centers to disclose that they do not provide abortions. They also would have had to post signs indicating whether they have medical professionals on staff. </p>
<p>The centers clearly have an anti-abortion agenda and try to encourage women to bear the child &#8212; either to keep or put up for adoption. Their attempts to conceal that, New York Civil Liberties executive director Donna Lieberman <a href="http://redesign.gothamgazette.com/article/health/20110105/9/3444"> has said</a>, misleads women and so can &#8220;pose serious health risks&#8221;</p>
<p>From the beginning, though, people affiliated with the center said the bill infringed on the centers&#8217; rights to free speech.</p>
<p>Yesterday, Judge William H. Pauley III agreed, calling the law &#8220;offensive to free speech principles&#8221; and saying it was based on an &#8220;overly broad definition of commercial speech.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-9877"></span></p>
<p>He did, though, express concerns about the centers&#8217; possibly misleading women as to the services they provide and said their use of unlicensed ultrasound technicians &#8220;can spawn significant harms to pregnant, at-risk women who believe they are receiving care.” &#8221; To address this, Pauley urged the city to launch a public service ad campaign or work to set requirements for ultrasound technicians.  </p>
<p>Despite criticism from the judge, Chris Slattery, president of <a href=" http://www.emcfrontline.org/">EMC Frontline Pregnancy Centers</a>, which brought the suit, said in a press release that he was &#8220;thrilled&#8221; by Pauley&#8217;s ruling. </p>
<p>&#8220;This law, which forces crisis pregnancy centers to adopt and express views about abortion and contraception that they strongly disagree with, is constitutionally flawed,&#8221; said CeCe Heil of the <a href=" http://aclj.org/">American Center for Law and Justice</a>, which helped argue the case. &#8220;The court clearly understood that this law punishes pro-life advocates. We&#8217;re confident that this law will never see the light of day</p>
<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn,  a supporter of the measure, and its sponsor, Councilmember Jessica Lappin both issued statements criticizing the judge&#8217;s ruling. </p>
<p>Sayings she would continue to fight for the law, Quinn said, &#8220;Today&#8217;s decision means that pregnancy service centers can continue deceiving women who seek their services. Equally troubling is that the centers will not be required to keep confidential the information collected from women who visit them.  In issuing this injunction, the court has failed to protect pregnant women in an extremely vulnerable time in their lives. &#8221;</p>
<p>She called Pauley&#8217;s alternative suggestions &#8220;completely unworkable.:</p>
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		<title>Smokers Park?</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/15/smokers-park/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/06/15/smokers-park/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 15 Jun 2011 13:14:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hudson river park]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smoking ban]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smoking in parks]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9703</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Marissa Miller filed this post.
Smokers take note: The city&#8217;s ban on  smoking in parks so far does not apply to Hudson River Park. It is not part of the city&#8217;s park system &#8212; it is state regulated &#8211; and therefore does not fall under its jurisdiction.
That could change, though. The park is in somewhat [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><b><i>Marissa Miller filed this post.</i></b></p>
<p>Smokers take note: The city&#8217;s ban on <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/20110531/212/3536"> smoking in parks</a> so far does not apply to <a href="http://www.bpcparks.org/bpcp/home/index.php">Hudson River Park</a>. It is not part of the city&#8217;s park system &#8212; it is state regulated &#8211; and therefore does not fall under its jurisdiction.</p>
<p>That could change, though. The park is in somewhat of a &#8220;gray&#8221; area and so, according to the parks department, its exemption from the ban is currently under review.</p>
<p>For now, Hudson River Park has refrained from installing the &#8220;no smoking&#8221; signs found in other city parks. However, some residents in the surrounding neighborhoods worry that it will turn into a smokers &#8220;paradise,&#8221; infested by smokers from all around the city.</p>
<p>In an e-mail statement, David Katz, vice president of marketing and events at Hudson River Park Trust, wrote, &#8220;The state&#8217;s Administrative Procedures Act requires us to provide a public review and comment period and a hearing prior to issuing or amending our park rules.  We are not allowed to ban smoking until this process is completed.  At our most recent board meeting, we were asked to commence this process.  We expect to hold a public hearing this summer on a proposal to ban smoking in the park.&#8221;</p>
<p>So, New Yorkers will have to wait and see if this park will remain a smoker&#8217;s oasis for much longer.</p>
<p>It was reported elsewhere that Battery Park City would also participate in this exemption from the ban as it also falls under state jurisdiction. However, a spokesperson from the Battery Park City Authority confirmed, &#8220;Battery Park City will follow New York City Park rules and regulations&#8221; and thus abide by the smoking ban.</p>
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		<title>Bloomberg Releases Budget, Slashes Teachers</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/06/bloomberg-releases-budget-slashes-teachers/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/06/bloomberg-releases-budget-slashes-teachers/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 May 2011 18:13:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye Opener]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Housing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Measuring UP]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Parks]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[budget]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[childcare cuts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Council Speaker Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[deficit]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[domenic recchia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal crisis]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fiscal year 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mayor Michael Bloomberg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[steve levin]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9462</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As expected, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a $65.7 billion budget this morning, which slashes 6,166 teaching positions, would close 20 fire companies and shutter four swimming pools this summer. 
Bloomberg deflected all of the blame for the fiscal pain. Instead, he pointed towards Albany and Washington.
&#8220;Both places are keeping our tax dollars to close their [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/05/05/more-budget-cuts-more-budget-blame/">expected</a>, Mayor Michael Bloomberg released a <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/omb/html/publications/finplan05_11.shtml">$65.7 billion budget</a> this morning, which slashes 6,166 teaching positions, would close 20 fire companies and shutter four swimming pools this summer. </p>
<p>Bloomberg <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/portal/site/nycgov/menuitem.c0935b9a57bb4ef3daf2f1c701c789a0/index.jsp?pageID=mayor_press_release&#038;catID=1194&#038;doc_name=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nyc.gov%2Fhtml%2Fom%2Fhtml%2F2011a%2Fpr141-11.html&#038;cc=unused1978&#038;rc=1194&#038;ndi=1">deflected</a> all of the blame for the fiscal pain. Instead, he pointed towards Albany and Washington.</p>
<p>&#8220;Both places are keeping our tax dollars to close their budget deficits,&#8221; Bloomberg said. &#8220;If the state was paying 50 percent of the Department of Education, we would not be talking about laying off teachers.&#8221;</p>
<p>While Bloomberg did not hesitate to blame Albany, he also acknowledged the city was unlikely to receive any reprieve from the state or federal government. For now, the city will use the remainder of its surplus to close the budget hole. </p>
<p>The mayor&#8217;s executive plan did back away from slashing <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/top_stories/138596/ny1-exclusive--ny1-marist-poll-finds-giuliani-has-most-state-republican-support--trump-trails-far-behind">16,000 child care slots</a> &#8212; the result of a loss in federal funding. The administration plans to save the positions by expanding after school programs and increasing funding for the Administration for Children&#8217;s Services. The cost of the slots was originally put at $91 million. Officials said the program could be saved with just $40 million. </p>
<p>Advocates and council members, however, questioned the mayor&#8217;s calculations. </p>
<p>&#8220;With the budget released today, the administration is continuing its assault on early childhood education by cutting $50 million from our city&#8217;s child care,&#8221; said Councilman Steve Levin. &#8220;It is an outrageous sleight of hand that this administration would present itself as the savior of child care while simultaneously destroying it for thousands of New Yorkers. It&#8217;s like someone starting a fire, just so he could take the credit for putting 40 percent of that fire out.&#8221;    </p>
<p>In a joint statement, Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Finance Chairman Domenic Recchia identified teacher layoffs, the child care cuts, a 29 percent cut to libraries and fire companies as their top priorities. </p>
<p>&#8220;Since the recent financial crisis and recession, the City Council has worked aggressively to control spending and manage the city’s budget in a fiscally responsible manner while protecting vital services,&#8221; they said. &#8220;That’s why we have grave concerns about a budget that allows for teacher layoffs, which would be immensely damaging to our education system and children&#8217;s opportunities for a quality education. Make no mistake, we will do everything in our power to prevent teacher layoffs.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-9462"></span><br />
The council is expected to identify other areas of the budget to cut instead. Already, council officials are calling on the mayor to find savings in its outside contracting. </p>
<p>This latest proposal represents the 10th round of cuts for the Big Apple in three years. In order for the council to stave off teacher layoffs, officials would have to identify $435 million in additional savings, according to the Bloomberg administration. To prevent the fire company closures, it would have to find another $55 million. </p>
<p>The council will kick off their budget hearings next week. The mayor and the council must reach a budget agreement before July 1. </p>
<p>More analysis and reaction to come later. </p>
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		<title>Turn Off That Cigarette</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/20/turn-off-that-cigarette/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/20/turn-off-that-cigarette/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 20 Apr 2011 17:28:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9399</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Michael Mandelkern filed this post.
City Councilmember Peter Vallone, who represents Astoria, has proposed a local law to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and prohibit anyone from smoking electronic cigarettes in certain public areas.
&#8220;People should start getting the word out there about these cigarettes,&#8221; Vallone said. &#8220;It&#8217;s absolutely not a healthy activity.&#8221;
Vallone has [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><i><b>Michael Mandelkern filed this post.</b></i></p>
<p>City Councilmember <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/city/district/22">Peter Vallone</a>, who represents Astoria, has proposed a <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=862333&#038;GUID=025C4F6D-8529-4E05-9786-3942C2DAFD59&#038;Options=ID|Text|&#038;Search=electronic+cigarette">local law</a> to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors and prohibit anyone from smoking electronic cigarettes in certain public areas.</p>
<p>&#8220;People should start getting the word out there about these cigarettes,&#8221; Vallone said. &#8220;It&#8217;s absolutely not a healthy activity.&#8221;</p>
<p>Vallone has noticed tobacco shops in Astoria selling electronic cigarettes to minors, and although he is not sure how widespread sales are across the city he seeks to nip their availability to children in the bud. He has no qualms about adults who buy electronic cigarettes under the impression that they are safer than regular cigarettes, but he is concerned that the flavors, such as strawberry and vanilla, will entice youngsters to develop nicotine cravings before adulthood. </p>
<p>&#8220;There&#8217;s no reason for a child to smoke,&#8221; Vallone said. &#8220;We are trying to get out in front of the potential problem.&#8221;</p>
<p>Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered devices filled with nicotine or other chemicals that turn into vapor when lit by a heating element. The federal Food and Drug Administration has not conclusively determined whether they curb nicotine addiction.<br />
<span id="more-9399"></span><br />
Under Vallone&#8217;s bill, businesses caught selling the devices to minors three times within a two-year period could lose their cigarette license. First-time violators would receive a fine of up to $500, $1,000 for a second violation within two years and $2,000 if the offense is committed three times within that time frame.</p>
<p>First-time offenders caught smoking electronic cigarettes in banned places would receive an initial fine between $200 to $400, $500 to 1,000 for a second offense within 12 months and $1,000 to $2,000 the third time.</p>
<p>Several other council members are co-sponsoring the bill.</p>
<p>Vallone does not expect the full City Council to vote on the measure for at least five months, but said he is &#8220;sure other members will overwhelmingly support the bill.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Advocates Protest SWMP Delays (UPDATE)</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/12/advocates-protest-swmp-delays/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/04/12/advocates-protest-swmp-delays/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 12 Apr 2011 18:22:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Community Development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Use]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Waterfront]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eddie bautista]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eric goldstein]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fair share]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[laura haight]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solid waste management plan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[swmp]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[waste transfer stations]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[waste-to-energy]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9375</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Five years after the City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg agreed to a solid waste management plan for the five boroughs &#8211; one that spread out the city&#8217;s garbage burden &#8212; council members and environmental justice advocates say the adminsitration is backpedaling. 
In its preliminary capital budget, the adminsitration has delayed the construction of four [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Five years after the City Council and Mayor Michael Bloomberg <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100504/203/3257">agreed to a solid waste management plan for the five boroughs </a>&#8211; one that spread out the city&#8217;s garbage burden &#8212; council members and environmental justice advocates say the adminsitration is backpedaling. </p>
<p>In its <a href="http://www.nyc.gov/html/omb/html/publications/finplan02_11.shtml">preliminary capital budget</a>, the adminsitration has delayed the construction of four waste transfer stations, three of which are in Manhattan. The cut, said <a href="http://www.nrdc.org/about/staff.asp">Eric Goldstein of the Natural Resources Defense Council</a>, could delay funding for these facilities between five and eight years. Advocates fear the stations will never occur. Five years from now, there will be a new occupant in City Hall &#8212; one perhaps with different priorities. </p>
<p>&#8220;We are very troubled,&#8221; said Goldstein. </p>
<p>The waste transfer stations are a crucial part of the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/iotw/20071113/200/2343">2006 solid waste management plan</a>, which attempts to get garbage off of diesel-spewing trucks and onto rail cars and barges instead. The plan was also meant to spread stations throughout the five boroughs to ease the burden on communities inundated with city waste &#8212; like the South Bronx, Greenpoint and Williamsburg. The delayed stations in Manhattan are the only ones slated for the borough, which currently sends the vast majority of its trash to New Jersey. </p>
<p>We are waiting for a response from the Department of Sanitation. </p>
<p>Advocates also decried the administration&#8217;s recent exploration of <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110323/203/3494">waste-to-energy</a> &#8212; a controversial technology that typically involves burning or heating trash to create electricity (We reported on it <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20110323/203/3494">here two weeks ago</a>). <a href="http://www.nypirg.org/enviro/bottlebill/">Laura Haight of the New York Public Interest Research Group</a> decried the move. </p>
<p>&#8220;The types of technology they want to pilot have not been proven successful commercially anywhere in the country,&#8221; said Haight. &#8220;We believe this is a waste of energy.&#8221;</p>
<p>A conversation on the equal distribution of these types of facilities is occurring right now at a hearing of the Landmarks, Public Siting and Maritime Uses Subcommittee. Councilmember Brad Lander, the committee&#8217;s chair, blasted the adminsitration for refusing to testify (his letter appears below). </p>
<p>&#8220;We&#8217;ve concentrated those facilities in low-income communities, in communities of color,&#8221; Lander said this afternoon on the City Hall steps. </p>
<p>A spokesperson for the Bloomberg adminsitration said they would not send a representative, because &#8220;fair share,&#8221; as it&#8217;s commonly referred to, is currently the subject of litigation. </p>
<p>UPDATE: We just got this response from City Hall spokesperson Jason Post: </p>
<blockquote><p>
Because of the economy, the City has been forced to reduce all of its expenditures, including its capital program.</p>
<p>The preliminary capital budget for the Sanitation Department includes deferred spending on four Marine Transfer Stations. </p>
<p>The Administration remains fully committed to SWMP’s principles of borough equity, using rail and barge to transfer solid waste, relieving the burden of waste receiving from certain communities, strengthening our recycling infrastructure and piloting new technologies to derive clean energy from waste.</p>
<p>We have made great progress on SWMP already—long term rail contracts are in place and two marine transfer stations are under construction, as is the City’s new recycling facility—and we are exploring cost-effective alternatives to expedite the construction schedule outlined in the preliminary capital plan. We will make a decision before the Mayor’s executive budget presentation.</p></blockquote>
<p><a title="View CM Lander Letter to Mayor Bloomberg Re Fair Share Hearing(2) on Scribd" href="http://www.scribd.com/doc/52792105/CM-Lander-Letter-to-Mayor-Bloomberg-Re-Fair-Share-Hearing-2" style="margin: 12px auto 6px auto; font-family: Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; font-size: 14px; line-height: normal; font-size-adjust: none; font-stretch: normal; -x-system-font: none; display: block; text-decoration: underline;">CM Lander Letter to Mayor Bloomberg Re Fair Share Hearing(2)</a><iframe class="scribd_iframe_embed" src="http://www.scribd.com/embeds/52792105/content?start_page=1&#038;view_mode=list&#038;access_key=key-1a4vvgiv5deufoyq40h4" data-auto-height="true" data-aspect-ratio="0.772727272727273" scrolling="no" id="doc_86211" width="100%" height="400" frameborder="0"></iframe><script type="text/javascript">(function() { var scribd = document.createElement("script"); scribd.type = "text/javascript"; scribd.async = true; scribd.src = "http://www.scribd.com/javascripts/embed_code/inject.js"; var s = document.getElementsByTagName("script")[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(scribd, s); })();</script></p>
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		<title>Cuomo on Indian Point</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/03/22/cuomo-on-indian-point/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/03/22/cuomo-on-indian-point/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Mar 2011 19:51:53 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Indian Point]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9315</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The Indian Point nuclear plant has become the point of much scrutiny in light of the nuclear disaster in Japan. Now Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he has the assurance of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they will make Indian Point its priority when reviewing seismic risk at nuclear plants across the country. Indian Point [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The Indian Point nuclear plant has become the point of much scrutiny in light of the nuclear disaster in Japan. Now Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he has the assurance of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission that they will make Indian Point its priority when reviewing seismic risk at nuclear plants across the country. Indian Point is in close proximity to New York City and sits on two fault lines. Here is the release from Cuomo&#8217;s office: <span id="more-9315"></span></p>
<p>GOVERNOR CUOMO ANNOUNCES NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION HAS AGREED TO MAKE INDIAN POINT THE TOP PRIORITY IN NUCLEAR PLANT SEISMIC RISK REVIEW</p>
<p>Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has pledged to make Indian Point its first and top priority in its review of seismic risk at 27 nuclear plants throughout the country. At the request of the Cuomo Administration, the NRC has agreed to a cooperative review of Indian Point as a joint effort between the NRC and New York State.</p>
<p>As a result of the meeting today at NRC headquarters in Maryland between Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, Director of State Operations Howard Glaser, and top NRC officials, the NRC has also agreed to sign a memorandum of understanding that will:</p>
<p>· Share federal data regarding seismic risk specific to Indian Point with New York technical experts<br />
· Include New York experts as part of the NRC on-site inspection team that will evaluate Indian Point with regard to seismic risk</p>
<p>In addition, NRC Chair Greg Jaczko has agreed to conduct a personal site inspection of Indian Point with New York officials.</p>
<p>&#8220;It is essential that the NRC move quickly to answer the significant and long-standing safety questions surrounding Indian Point,&#8221; Governor Cuomo said. &#8220;We appreciate the NRC agreeing to move swiftly and we look forward to working closely with them on this issue to protect the health and safety of New Yorkers.&#8221;</p>
<p>&#8220;I thank the NRC for hosting us today and for recognizing the legitimate concerns that exist regarding Indian Point,&#8221; Lieutenant Governor Duffy said. &#8220;Seismic activity is a serious concern regarding the facility and we will now work with the federal government to make sure we get answers for the people of New York.&#8221;</p>
<p>Indian Point is located in Westchester County, within fifty miles of where more than 20 million people live and work. Among its other structural and safety flaws, the facility is situated near a fault line and concerns have been raised about whether it was designed to withstand the seismic activity that could result from an earthquake.</p>
<p>Governor Cuomo has long been an opponent of Indian Point and has worked to prevent the federal relicensing of the facility. Governor Cuomo and senior officials will continue to work with the NRC to monitor the status of Indian Point and protect residents.</p>
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		<title>Philly Votes, New York Doesn&#039;t</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/03/04/philly-votes-new-york-doesnt/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/03/04/philly-votes-new-york-doesnt/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 04 Mar 2011 21:52:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Work and Labor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Christine Quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city council]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[paid sick leave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[philadelphia city council]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9225</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[With a paid sick leave bill stalled n the New York City Council, a similar measure is  wending its way toward possible approval in Philadelphia. Earlier this week, the council&#8217;s Committee on Public Health and Human Services voted in favor of a measure that would requires that employees at businesses with 11 or more [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>With a paid sick leave bill stalled n the New York City Council, a similar measure is <a href="http://articles.philly.com/2011-03-02/news/28644876_1_sick-time-sick-days-business-owners-support"> wending its way</a> toward possible approval in Philadelphia. Earlier this week, the council&#8217;s Committee on Public Health and Human Services voted in favor of a measure that would requires that employees at businesses with 11 or more workers earn up to nine paid sick days a year and those working for a place with 10 or fewer employees get five days. A vote by the full council could come next week.</p>
<p>The arguments for and against the bill echo those here. And in  Philadelphia, as in New York, businesses and the city administration oppose the mayor, arguing it would create job loss. Advocates <a href="http://www.dmiblog.com/archives/2011/03/paid_sick_leave_advances_in_ph.html">dispute that contention</a> and also maintain that having sick workers on the job poses a health risk &#8212; particularly when so many workers without paid sick leave are in the food service business.</p>
<p>But there is one difference between New York and Philadelphia. In Philadelphia the council actually will get to vote on the bill. Here, even though 35 of the 51 City Council have expressed support for the measure, the council has never voted on it.</p>
<p>For that, credit &#8212; or blame &#8212; City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who can effectively kill any measure that does not meet her approval. And that is what she has <a href=http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20101015/203/3384>done</a> with paid sick leave.</p>
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		<title>Gottfried and Silver Approve Medicaid Redesign Team Recs</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/25/gottfried-and-silver-approve-medicaid-redesign-team-recs/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/25/gottfried-and-silver-approve-medicaid-redesign-team-recs/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 21:13:50 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Gottfried]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheldon Silver]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9193</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assemblyman Richard Gottfried was one of four members of Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s redesign team who abstained on voting to put forward recommendations to the governor yesterday. He complained that the process was rushed and didn&#8217;t take time to add recommendations or adjustments. He expected a vote to take place this coming Tuesday.
But just minutes ago [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assemblyman Richard Gottfried was one of four members of Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s redesign team <a href="http://www.stargazette.com/article/20110224/NEWS01/102240420/1113/VIEWPOINTS03/Panel-recommends-cap-Medicaid-expenses?odyssey=nav|head">who abstained on voting</a> to put forward recommendations to the governor yesterday. He <a href="http://www.capitaltonight.com/2011/02/assemblyman-richard-gottfried/">complained that the process was rushed</a> and didn&#8217;t take time to add recommendations or adjustments. He expected a vote to take place this coming Tuesday.</p>
<p>But just minutes ago Assembly Speaker Sheldon&#8217;s Silver office issued a joint statement with Gottfried approving of the Medicaid Redesign Team&#8217;s final report.</p>
<p>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver:</p>
<p>I commend the members of the Medicaid Redesign Team for their work to find substantial savings in Medicaid while preserving quality care for New Yorkers.  We look forward to reviewing the MRT’s final report and reiterate the Assembly’s commitment to delivering an on-time budget that reflects the overwhelming consensus that emerged from the MRT process.</p>
<p>Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried:</p>
<p>Despite the concern I voiced yesterday about the speed with which the MRT voted, I believe, on the whole, that the final report contains needed reforms that will place our Medicaid system on a path to long term financial sustainability while safeguarding quality healthcare for New Yorkers in need, the elderly and the disabled.</p>
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			<wfw:commentRss>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/25/gottfried-and-silver-approve-medicaid-redesign-team-recs/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
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		<title>Cuomo&#039;s Statement on Medicaid Redesign Team Proposal</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/24/cuomos-statement-on-medicaid-redesign-team-proposal/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/24/cuomos-statement-on-medicaid-redesign-team-proposal/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:40:46 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9188</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Here are the official details from Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s office on the proposals submitted to him from the Medicaid Redesign Team:
GOVERNOR CUOMO ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE MEDICAID REDESIGN TEAM
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today accepted a report from the Medicaid Redesign Team which meets the Governor&#8217;s Medicaid spending target contained in his 2011-2012 budget by introducing [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Here are the official details from Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s office on the proposals submitted to him from the Medicaid Redesign Team:</p>
<p>GOVERNOR CUOMO ACCEPTS RECOMMENDATIONS FROM THE MEDICAID REDESIGN TEAM</p>
<p>Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today accepted a report from the Medicaid Redesign Team which meets the Governor&#8217;s Medicaid spending target contained in his 2011-2012 budget by introducing a global cap on State Medicaid expenditures of $15.109 billion. The report included 79 recommendations to redesign and restructure the Medicaid program to be more efficient and get better results for patients.</p>
<p>New York spends more than twice the national average on Medicaid on a per capita basis, and spending per enrollee is the second highest in the nation. At the same time, New York ranks 21st out of all states for overall health system quality and ranks last among all states for avoidable hospital use and costs. Unfortunately years of attempts to address the problem have been unsuccessful.</p>
<p>In an unprecedented change from past practice, Governor Cuomo established the Medicaid Redesign Team (MRT) bringing together stakeholders and experts from throughout the state to work cooperatively to reform the system and reduce costs. The approach was designed to move past the dysfunction and rancor of the past and produce real results for all New Yorkers.<span id="more-9188"></span></p>
<p>&#8220;This comprehensive and consensus proposal achieves the dramatic reform this state needs to reduce costs without jeopardizing patient care,&#8221; Governor Cuomo said. &#8220;This approach was not about making cuts but redesigning a program whose costs are unsustainable. I commend the MRT chairs Michael Dowling and Dennis Rivera, New York State Medicaid Director Jason Helgerson, Deputy Secretary for Health and the Director of Healthcare Redesign James Introne and all of the Team members for their dedication to this difficult assignment. I would also like to thank the people who attended any of our statewide public meetings to have their voices heard.&#8221;</p>
<p>Beginning in January, the MRT held a series of meetings in every region of the state. The meetings were open and transparent, and anyone could offer their ideas for savings either in person or in writing. Meetings were broadcast on the Internet and materials were posted on the MRT&#8217;s Web page. The MRT received over 4,000 ideas from New Yorkers that were all evaluated and reviewed.</p>
<p>The recommendations submitted today to Governor Cuomo meets the Governor&#8217;s budget target by introducing a global cap on State Medicaid expenditures of $15.109 billion through a variety of mechanisms, including:</p>
<p>· Proposals that would reform the Medicaid payment and program structure and generate $1.138 billion in total state savings<br />
· Eliminating the permanent law statutory cost drivers which generate $186 million in state savings<br />
· Implementing a two-percent across-the-board rate reduction to generate $345 million in savings<br />
· Prepaying certain Medicaid payments to leverage additional enhanced Federal matching funds made possible under ARRA, which generates a $66 million benefit<br />
· Industry-led cost containment initiatives totaling up to $640 million in savings, representing an unprecedented partnership between the state and its healthcare industry. The Medicaid program will be subject to a contingency reduction if this goal is not met</p>
<p>These proposals will benefit both taxpayers and patients. One million New Yorkers will have access to patient-centered medical homes, and within 3 years, almost the entire Medicaid population will be enrolled in some kind of care management.</p>
<p>Specific recommendations in the report include:</p>
<p>· Enacts a Global Medicaid Budget Cap.<br />
· One Million New Yorkers will now have access to patient-centered medical homes (PCMHs). This proposal catapults New York into a national leadership position.<br />
· Major expansion in use of care management. Within 3 years almost the entire Medicaid population will be enrolled in some kind of care management.<br />
· Introduces new controls in personal care and home health that will both reign in out-of-control spending and preserve access to these vital services.<br />
· Reform Medical Malpractice and lower health care costs.<br />
· Streamlines/eliminates program regulations – direct response to stakeholder feedback – in ways that will lower costs for providers and make the program easier to navigate for consumers.</p>
<p>The Team issued its first report ahead of its March 1st deadline and will continue to generate ideas for further reforms and submit quarterly reports until the end of Fiscal Year 2011-12, when it disbands.</p>
<p>New York&#8217;s multi-billion dollar Medicaid program is paid for by state, county and federal taxes. In a majority of the state&#8217;s counties, Medicaid costs alone account for more than half of the entire county tax levy.</p>
<p>Jason Helgerson, New York State Medicaid Director said, &#8220;To try and fix the problems with Medicaid the same way it&#8217;s been done the past would only lead to the same failures. The Governor knew we needed a different approach and that&#8217;s what the Medicaid Redesign Team is. We brought together experts and stakeholders to work cooperatively to reduce costs and reform the system, and we did it in an open and transparent way.&#8221;</p>
<p>James Introne, Deputy Secretary for Health and the Director of Healthcare Redesign said, &#8220;We met our targets and we did it through consensus. This report is a package of reforms that will bring unprecedented change to Medicaid, and the team will continue to meet to identify additional savings and reform. I want to thank Governor Cuomo for allowing me to serve with this prestigious and professional group.&#8221;</p>
<p>Stephen J. Acquario, New York State Association of Counties said, &#8220;The process used to produce this report was extraordinary. I commend Governor Cuomo for his vision to redesign the Medicaid program in a transparent manner, engaging health care experts and the public. The current health care system is unsustainable and these recommendations are an important first step toward reducing costs for governments and improving patient health care outcomes.&#8221;</p>
<p>Steve Berger, former Chairman for the Commission on Health Care Facilities in the 21st Century and a board member for the Partnership for New York City said, &#8220;This has been an extraordinary, but not perfect process. It is the first time that the state and providers have met together to reshape this program. We don&#8217;t agree on all the details, but we agreed on a process for making cuts, building major new structures for behavioral health and moving, finally yet carefully, to achieve the benefits of managed care.&#8221;</p>
<p>Michael Dowling, President and CEO of North Shore LIJ Health system said, &#8220;New York has no choice but to reduce Medicaid spending, but it does have a choice of between reform or the continued across the board reductions that are not in the best interests of health care providers or the people they serve. These recommendations represent the better option for everybody.&#8221;</p>
<p>George Gresham, President of 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, said, &#8220;This process has been a real partnership between the State, industry leaders and our service providers. The results of this effort will help preserve the quality of care for our most vulnerable residents.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ken Raske, President of the Greater New York Hospital Association said, &#8220;The recommendations of the MRT are groundbreaking for Medicaid programs across the United States. The inclusion of a global cap will clearly contain Medicaid expenditures. The process for arriving at these recommendations was thoughtful and required the untiring work of the team members. I thank Governor Cuomo for his foresight and leadership in making this happen.&#8221;</p>
<p>Daniel Sisto, President of the Hospital Association of New York State said, &#8220;I want to commend Governor Cuomo for his leadership and vision in deftly addressing this enormously complex and important issue. The MRT recommendations balance the need to address the state&#8217;s historic budget deficit with the equally critical need to redesign and sustain the Medicaid program. The Governor&#8217;s strategy proved to be a unique and effective method of generating the sometimes painful compromises necessary to secure approval of these recommendations. It is clear that these actions are necessary to protect a Medicaid program that would have collapsed upon itself had we not acted, and that is why I support them.&#8221;</p>
<p>Elizabeth Swain, Chief Executive Officer of Community Health Care Association of New York State said, &#8220;I am honored to have participated in the critical work of the Medicaid Redesign Team. Though with challenge I believe New York will benefit greatly from the thoughtful reforms of this process. In particular I am pleased to see the heightened value and importance of Primary Care and Patient Centered Medical Homes.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Cuomo&#039;s Medicaid Design Team Hands in Report</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/24/cuomos-medicaid-design-team-hands-in-report/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/24/cuomos-medicaid-design-team-hands-in-report/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 24 Feb 2011 23:11:43 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[andrew cuomo]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kemp Hannon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Richard Gottfried]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9186</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s Medicaid Redesign Team submitted their plan to the governor and he has accepted it. The team was tasked with saving the state billions of dollars in Medicaid costs as part of the governor&#8217;s 2011-2012 budget and their plan would do just that&#8211;it trims over $2 billion in costs.  Their recommendations include putting [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Gov. Andrew Cuomo&#8217;s Medicaid Redesign Team submitted <a href="http://www.health.state.ny.us/health_care/medicaid/redesign/docs/2011-02-24_staff_draft_proposals_with_estimated_savings.pdf">their plan </a>to the governor and he has accepted it. The team was tasked with saving the state billions of dollars in Medicaid costs as part of the governor&#8217;s 2011-2012 budget and their plan would do just that&#8211;it trims over $2 billion in costs.  Their recommendations include putting a four percent cap on all annual Medicaid funding, reducing aid for home health care, as well as reforming policy relating to malpractice and pharmaceuticals.  Two legislators who were part of the team, Assembyman Richard Gottfried and Sen. Kemp Hannon abstained from the vote as did Lara Kassel from Medicaid Matters New York.</p>
<p>Legislators have been concerned that Cuomo&#8217;s team would not be able to make the deadline for changes to be maid to Cuomo&#8217;s budget proposal. Their concern was misplaced as the group was scheduled to meet tomorrow as well but came to a decision a day early.</p>
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		<title>Getting the PCBs Out</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/23/getting-the-pcbs-out/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/23/getting-the-pcbs-out/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 23 Feb 2011 16:38:42 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cathie Black]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cathleen Black]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jerrold nadler]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jose Serrano]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[judith enck]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[linda rosenthal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[new york city schools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[p.s. 45 new york city department of education]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pcbs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ruben diaz jr.]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[scott stringer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Thomas Duane]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tom Duane]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9163</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[As the Wall Street Journal reported this morning, the city has just announced a plan to remove PCBs from some 722 schools where tests have found elevated levels of the toxic substance. The city says the $708 million program will include removing lighting ballasts with PCBs from the school system as well as energy audits [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>As the Wall Street Journal <a href=" http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703775704576160801982212080.html?mod=WSJ_NY_LEFTTopStories">reported</a> this morning, the city has just announced a plan to remove PCBs from some 722 schools where tests have found elevated levels of the toxic substance. The city says the $708 million program will include removing lighting ballasts with PCBs from the school system as well as energy audits and retrofits.</p>
<p>In announcing a plan that will come as a relief to many parents across the city, the Department of Education sun it, not as a response to what may saw as a critical health risk, but as a program to &#8220;increase energy efficiency and environmental quality&#8221; and reduce greenhouse gasses.&#8221; No where does the release mention the rising concern among parents, many public officials the federal government over what they saw as the city&#8217;s foot dragging on the PCB issue.<br />
<span id="more-9163"></span><br />
Last week, for example, a group including Reps. Jerrold Nadler and José Serrano, Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, State Sen. Thomas Duane, and Borough President Scott Stringer. <a href=http://www.brooklyneagle.com/categories/category.php?category_id=31&#038;id=41499>called</a> on the city to end its delay in devising a plan to deal with the PCB problem and to take “concrete steps” to carry out a remediation plan without delay. </p>
<p>&#8220;For three years, the DOE and the [School Construction Authority] have been avoiding the demands made by this office to remediate any problems,&#8221; John DeSio, spokesman for Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/bronx/2011/02/23/2011-02-23_a_toxic_nightmare_angry_parents_protest_over_pcb_issue.html#ixzz1EnYIy2We">told</a> the Daily News. &#8220;The agencies are currently fighting a request from the Environmental Protection Agency to replace all lighting ballasts in affected schools in a timely manner.&#8221;</p>
<p>The city, which has <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/environment/20101210/7/3428"> has said</a> replacing the fixtures would be too expensive.</p>
<p>As the city stonewalled on the issue, the federal agency inspected schools. Yesterday it <a href="http://blogs.wsj.com/metropolis/2011/02/22/pcbs-found-leaking-in-yet-another-school/">reported</a> that samples taken at P.S. 45 in Bushwick tested far above the 50 parts per million federal threshold for PCBs, with one samples having 660,000 parts per million.</p>
<p>Those findings, &#8220;add a new sense of urgency to solving this problem in a rapid fashion,&#8221; Judith Enck, the EPA&#8217;s regional administrator in New York, has said.</p>
<p>The plan is now slated to take 10 years and will be accomplished, Schools Chancellor Cathie Black said in a written statement, &#8220;without any significant interruption to student learning.&#8221;</p>
<p>In her comments, Black reiterated the administration&#8217;s contention that even the Environmental Protection Agency has said &#8221; there is no immediate health threat to students in these buildings.&#8221;</p>
<p>She neglected to add, though, that the chemical was banned in the late 1970s  and has been linked to higher incidence of cancer along with disorders of the immune and reproductive systems. In children it has been tied to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and  increased aggression.</p>
<p>Along with removing the lighting parts, the city also will inspect for other sources of PCB</p>
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		<title>Council Members Give to Crisis Pregnancy Clinic</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/22/council-members-give-to-pregnancy-crisis-clinics/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/02/22/council-members-give-to-pregnancy-crisis-clinics/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 22 Feb 2011 23:35:12 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Civil Rights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Law]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Public Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Services]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nextNY]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[abortion]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bill de Blasio]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[christne quinn]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[congress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[council discretionary funding]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dan halloran]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eric Ulrich]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[jessica lappin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[planned parenthood]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pregnancy crisis center]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=9143</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Funding for one Flushing-based pregnancy crisis center trickled into the City Council&#8217;s discretionary budget last year just before the speaker&#8217;s office drew up legislation to target the pro-life facilities. 
The council is currently considering a controversial bill to force pregnancy crisis clinics to reveal in advertising and in their offices if they do not provide [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/billboard.jpg"><img src="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/billboard.jpg" alt="billboard" title="billboard" width="400" height="335" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-9149" /></a></p>
<p>Funding for one Flushing-based pregnancy crisis center trickled into the City Council&#8217;s discretionary budget last year just before the speaker&#8217;s office drew up <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=777861&#038;GUID=F7F0B7D7-2FE7-456D-A7A7-1633C9880D92&#038;Options=Advanced&#038;Search=">legislation</a> to target the pro-life facilities. </p>
<p>The council is currently considering a <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/health/20110105/9/3444">controversial bill</a> to force pregnancy crisis clinics to reveal in advertising and in their offices if they <a href="http://council.nyc.gov/html/releases/10_12_10_crisis.shtml">do not provide abortions or referrals</a> and do not have licensed medical professionals on staff. There are about <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/20101117/manhattan/abortion-debate-takes-center-stage-at-city-hall-hearing-on-pregnancy-centers">two dozen centers</a> across the five boroughs. </p>
<p>One of them is <a href="http://www.thebridgetolife.org/about.htm">The Bridge to Life</a> in Queens. Republican <a href="http://councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Recipients_of_Member_Items_(Eric_Ulrich)">Councilmembers Eric Ulrich</a> and <a href="http://councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Recipients_of_Member_Items_(Daniel_Halloran)">Dan Halloran</a> allocated a portion of their member items to the group in June &#8212; <a href="http://council.nyc.gov/html/budget/council-disclosure-fy11.shtml">$3,000 and $3,500 respectively. </a> (Check out our new tool <a href="http://councilpedia.org/index.php?title=Main_Page">Councilpedia</a> for more on the connections between legislation, member items and campaign contributions.)</p>
<p>According to the council&#8217;s member item database, the contributions are &#8220;to fund pregnancy counseling, testing and referrals&#8221; and for &#8220;pregnancy crisis counseling, free pregnancy tests, referrals to post abortion counseling. Referrals to Maternity homes and shelters. Material assistance of clothing, supplies, referrals for sonograms.&#8221; The funding was channeled through individual member items &#8212; not through the <a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/article/searchlight/20100630/203/3301">much larger &#8220;speaker pot.&#8221;<br />
</a></p>
<p>In comparison, <a href="http://www.plannedparenthood.org/">Planned Parenthood</a> of New York City <a href="http://council.nyc.gov/html/releases/10_12_10_crisis.shtml">was allocated</a> $365,000 in council discretionary funds last year.</p>
<p>When The Bridge to Life&#8217;s executive director Marcy Sarosick was asked how the organization counsels pregnant women, she said: &#8220;[We first] ask how far along you are and explain that the fetus is not just a blob of tissues, and it&#8217;s a living human being.&#8221; She said the center would refer women to adoption services. Sarosick opposes the pregnancy crisis bill at the council, calling it &#8220;anti-First Amendment.&#8221;</p>
<p>Supporters of the bill say these <a href="http://www.dnainfo.com/20101117/manhattan/abortion-debate-takes-center-stage-at-city-hall-hearing-on-pregnancy-centers">crisis centers are deceptive and give the perception</a> they perform all medical procedures. Staff have been known to walk around in scrubs although they are not medically trained. </p>
<p>Council Speaker Christine Quinn has been very vocal on the issue. According to insiders, the legislation could be up for a vote as soon as next month.</p>
<p>In an e-mailed statement in response to The Bridge to Life allocations, the speaker&#8217;s spokesperson, Maria Alvarado, said, &#8220;We stand fully behind Council member [Jessica] Lappin&#8217;s legislation. Allocations from individual council members are made at their discretion.&#8221;</p>
<p>When the bill comes to the floor, Ulrich said he won&#8217;t vote for it. </p>
<p>&#8220;I&#8217;ll be a voice on the floor against it when it does come up for a vote,&#8221; Ulrich said today. &#8220;If a young girl is walking into a convent, you think she is being duped?&#8221; One crisis center is run by nuns, Ulrich said.</p>
<p>This bill is one small example of the recently reinvigorated, fierce national debate on abortion clinics and their funding. Just today, the <a href="http://www.thatsabortion.com/">pro-life nonprofit, Life Always</a>, installed a large anti-abortion billboard (pictured above) on Sixth Avenue and Watts Street in Manhattan. The provocative billboard shows a photo of a young black girl, and the message reads: &#8220;The most dangerous place for an African American is in the womb.&#8221;<br />
<span id="more-9143"></span><br />
The message relects the claim by <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2011/02/03/133403770/group-sets-up-planned-parenthood-sting">conservatives that Planned Parenthood targets</a> minority neighborhoods. The billboard is part of a national campaign the group is kicking off today. Cuts are currently pending in Congress that would <a href="http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/02/22/bloomberg-criticizes-proposed-cut-to-planned-parenthood/?partner=rss&#038;emc=rss">slash hundreds of millions of dollars</a> from Planned Parenthood&#8217;s budget. </p>
<p>In response to the billboard, <a href="http://pubadvocate.nyc.gov/about-bill-de-blasio">Public Advocate Bill de Blasio</a> released the following statement: </p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;This billboard simply doesn’t belong in our city. The ad violates the values of New Yorkers and is grossly offensive to women and communities of color. Women of all backgrounds have a right to reproductive healthcare in New York City, and we must not let the current campaign of attacks undermine New Yorkers’ longstanding support for a woman’s right to choose. A mix of intolerance and bad judgment put this ad up &#8212; common decency demands it be taken down.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
<p>In response to de Blasio&#8217;s statement, Life Always Communications Director Marissa Gabrysch sent over the following: </p>
<blockquote><p>&#8220;Since 1973, 13 million African Americans have been aborted in this country. That&#8217;s more than the combined total of deaths among African Americans from HIV, violent crimes, cancer, accident, and heart disease. (compiled CDC data) In 2007, Planned Parenthood made just 4,912 adoption referrals while aborting 305,310 babies &#8211; that&#8217;s 62 abortions for every adoption referral. (Planned Parenthood&#8217;s annual report) In a city as important as this one, with an abortion ratio (41 percent) that is nearly twice the national average, I believe it violates human decency to downplay what is happening.&#8221;</p></blockquote>
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		<title>MTA Not Taking Any More Questions</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/01/04/mta-not-taking-any-more-questions/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/01/04/mta-not-taking-any-more-questions/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 04 Jan 2011 22:06:39 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Courtney Gross</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[City Hall]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Environment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Governing]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[blizzard 2010]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[Jay Walder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=8930</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[
Image from the MTA
Were you befuddled by the stranded passengers on the A or the lack of service for days on the Q post Boxing Day blizzard?
Well, at least for now, you&#8217;re not going to get any answers from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. 
When Gotham Gazette touched base with the authority this afternoon, spokesperson Charles [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/snow4.jpg"><img src="http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/snow4.jpg" alt="From the MTA" title="snow4" width="390" height="268" class="size-full wp-image-8931" /></a>
<div class="caption">Image from the MTA</div>
<p>Were you befuddled by the <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40828260/ns/travel-news/">stranded passengers on the A</a> or the lack of <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/29/nyregion/29transit.html?partner=rss&#038;emc=rss">service for days on the Q</a> post Boxing Day blizzard?</p>
<p>Well, at least for now, you&#8217;re not going to <a href="http://brooklyn.ny1.com/content/top_stories/131447/questions-remain-about-mta-s-blizzard-preparedness">get any answers</a> from the <a href="http://mta.info/">Metropolitan Transportation Authority.</a> </p>
<p>When Gotham Gazette touched base with the authority this afternoon, spokesperson Charles Seaton said the agency won&#8217;t be taking any more questions on the <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/131594/mta-inspector-general-launches-probe-into-handling-of-storm/">service-stalling storm.</a> </p>
<p>&#8220;We are being investigated by the [Inspector General's] office and the City Council,&#8221; said Seaton. &#8220;We are not taking any more questions on the storm.&#8221;</p>
<p>But they will have to on Monday. </p>
<p>Seaton said authority officials would testify at the City Council&#8217;s hearing on the blizzard response, scheduled for <a href="http://legistar.council.nyc.gov/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=132501&#038;GUID=F9290A29-1F7F-4CF2-898C-2A6F8ECC46CA&#038;Search=">Monday at 11 a.m.</a> Several top officials at the Bloomberg adminsitration <a href="http://www.wnyc.org/articles/wnyc-news/2011/jan/03/snow-job-city-council-seeks-answers-blizzard-fiasco/">have also been invited to testify</a>, including Deputy Mayor Stephen Goldsmith, Sanitation Commission John Doherty and Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.</p>
<p>Today&#8217;s response from the MTA follows a <a href="http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2011/01/04/2011-01-04_fess_up_jay.html">Daily News editorial,</a> which blasts the authority for its slow response to the massive snowfall and demands an explanation. </p>
<p>The investigation by the authority&#8217;s <a href="http://mtaig.state.ny.us/about_the_office.htm">inspector general</a> is expected to take 60 days, an official said. </p>
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		<title>Silver On Zadroga Signing</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/01/03/silver-on-zadroga-signing/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2011/01/03/silver-on-zadroga-signing/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 03 Jan 2011 21:54:21 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=8927</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver congratulated President Barack Obama for signing legislation that will provide health care to emergency responders and others who became sick after working at ground zero. Here is his statement:
&#8220;The United States has now met its moral obligation to the heroes of 9/11. By providing crucial care to the brave rescue workers [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver congratulated President Barack Obama for signing legislation that will provide health care to emergency responders and others who became sick after working at ground zero. Here is his statement:</p>
<p>&#8220;The United States has now met its moral obligation to the heroes of 9/11. By providing crucial care to the brave rescue workers who sacrificed their health for our country after we were attacked, as well as to the thousands of Downtown residents who became casualties of this tragedy, we as a nation now stand behind those who stood up for us.</p>
<p>I want to thank President Obama for signing this bill into law. It will literally save the lives of many of my neighbors, as well as those around the country who answered the call on 9/11.</p>
<p>I would also like to thank Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congress members Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Anthony Weiner and the rest of our congressional delegation for their determined efforts to make sure the Zadroga bill became law and for never giving up the fight to deliver justice to the 9/11 heroes.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Senate Passes Zadroga</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/12/22/senate-passes-zadroga/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/12/22/senate-passes-zadroga/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Wed, 22 Dec 2010 20:47:04 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>David King</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Crime & Safety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eye on Albany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Chuck Schumer]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kirsten Gillibrand]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sheldon Silver]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[zadroga]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=8917</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The U.S. Senate passed a scaled down version of the Zadroga bill that will provide health care to 9/11 responders and survivors for a five-year period. Democrats held marathon negotiations with Republicans who opposed the expense of the bill. The bill originally provided $7.4 billion in funding  over eight years but was shaved down to [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The U.S. Senate <a href="http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/12/22/deal-for-911-health-bill-reached-in-senate/?hp">passed</a> a scaled down version of the Zadroga bill that will provide health care to 9/11 responders and survivors for a five-year period. Democrats held marathon negotiations with Republicans who opposed the expense of the bill. The bill originally provided $7.4 billion in funding  over eight years but was shaved down to $4.3 over five. The bill must now be approved by the House.</p>
<p>Sens. Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand issued as statement calling the deal a &#8220;Christmas Miracle.&#8221;</p>
<p>“Over the last 24 hours, our Republican colleagues have negotiated in good faith to forge a workable final package that will protect the health of the men and women who selflessly answered our nation’s call in her hour of greatest need. This has been a long process, but we are now on the cusp of the victory these heroes deserve.”</p>
<p>Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver issued this statement:</p>
<p>&#8220;This afternoon’s Senate vote literally will save lives.  With the passage of the Zadroga bill, our brave and suffering 9/11 rescue workers and the thousands of Downtown residents who are also casualties of the attacks, have overcome the primary obstacle in their path to receiving the health care they so desperately need.  I am pleased that Congress has acknowledged our moral and national obligation to care for the casualties of this tragic attack on America.  I applaud Sens. Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand, Congress members Jerrold Nadler, Carolyn Maloney, Anthony Weiner and the rest of our congressional delegation for their dedication and persistence in securing passage of this critical legislation.  I look forward to President Obama signing this historic bill into law.&#8221;</p>
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		<title>Zadroga Delayed</title>
		<link>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/12/09/zadroga-delayed/</link>
		<comments>http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2010/12/09/zadroga-delayed/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Dec 2010 17:19:01 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Gail Robinson</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Electoral Politics]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gotham City]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/?p=8868</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[The so-called Zadroga bill to provide health care and compensation to 9/11 responders is the latest hostage in the battle over tax cuts, according to the office of Sen Kirstin Gillibrand, who has been pushing for the measure. A press release said Senate Republicans today have refused to vote on the bill until Congress extends [...]]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>The so-called Zadroga bill to provide health care and compensation to 9/11 responders is the latest hostage in the battle over tax cuts, according to the office of Sen Kirstin Gillibrand, who has been pushing for the measure. A press release said Senate Republicans today have refused to vote on the bill until Congress extends the Bush era tax cuts. </p>
<p>President Barack Obama and congressional Republicans agreed to a deal extending the cuts earlier this week, but some Democrats and a few Republicans have balked at the agreement, saying it is too generous to the very rich and would enlarge the deficit.</p>
<p>Gillibrand&#8217;s statement said in part: &#8220;“The idea that tax cuts for millionaires would derail this legislation is simply outrageous and offensive. The men and women who rushed to the burning towers and worked for hundreds of hours on the pile did not delay and the Senate should not have delayed either, certainly not to give tax breaks for millionaires. .”</p>
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