Score (-45)

Ensure that farmworkers in
New York are treated equally under the law
- Submitted by Frank Cayless on 12.23.06

Score (51)

I just received an email from a committee opposed to animal identification in NY.
Many will write against something. How many of us will write 'for' something!?
People opposed to animal ID make me see red. I see a lot of 'rugged individualism' out there, and a lot of selfishness. They don't seem to recognize that they are part of a community and part of the Earth.
In many years working on environmental issues, outside of the farm, I don't think I've ever seen such a hot button issue, with so much misinformation.
As a aheep farmer for 20 years, in Easton, Washington County, full time since 1999, I fully support animal identification in NY.

Score (53)

Let's follow in brazil's footsteps. Pledge to make New York energy independent in 5 years. Convert upstate farmland into alternative energy farms. Which can put out farmers back to work. Promote the sale and distribution of energy alternatives in all our major cities then branching out to small locals. Get the car industries to start making cars to drive on NY ethanol. If brazil can do it. Then New York can to.
- Submitted by Rya Lewis on 12.23.06

Score (248)

Vt.'s Choices for Care pays family members/friends $10 hr. to care for Medicaid-eligible older adults at home. Costs less than nursing home care and is what most seniors want. Details at www.aarp.org/bulletin
- Submitted by phyllis miyauchi on 12.23.06

Score (57)

The new administration needs to ensure that farmworkers in
New York are treated equally under the law. NY labor law unfairly excludes farmworkers from many rights,
including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining
collectively. These are rights guaranteed to the majority of other
workers in New York and must be given to all farmworkers also, please!
- Submitted by Joe Parrish on 11.29.06

Score (72)

I have to admit, these people never cease to amaze me.
Former Rural and Migrant Ministry intern Louise Wu stated:
"Dear Gov. S.,
Congradulations on your victory! Please be sure to bring equal rights to all working people in NY State, including the farmworkers. They deserve the same things that all working New Yorkers expect--a day of rest, sick time, the minimum wage. These are the people who put food on our tables. Their labor feeds us--every day. Please don't forget about them. They deserve a place at the table along with everyone else doing an honest day's work in New York."
1. Does your call Louise for "all" workers having "equal rights" (ie: end the handul of labor exemptions) include the workers of non-profits, especially religious organizations and institutions?

Score (117)

Dear Governor-Elect Spitzer, NY labor law excludes farmworkers from many rights guaranteed to the majority of other workers,
including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining
collectively. In your wider effort to bring hope, wholeness, and moral balance to NY, you could support fairness in the labor laws through the establishment of new farmworker rights. As one who voted for you, I am delighted by the vision-action you are bringing to NY, and I offer my prayers and best wishes for you as governor.
- Submitted by The Rev. K. Jeanne Person on 12.23.06

Score (50)

Dear Gov. S.,
Congradulations on your victory! Please be sure to bring equal rights to all working people in NY State, including the farmworkers. They deserve the same things that all working New Yorkers expect--a day of rest, sick time, the minimum wage. These are the people who put food on our tables. Their labor feeds us--every day. Please don't forget about them. They deserve a place at the table along with everyone else doing an honest day's work in New York.
- Submitted by Louise Wu on 12.22.06

Score (10)

I would strongly recommend Edwin King as Commssioner of Agriculture. Ed King served as a Deputy Commissioner during my stint as Commissioner of Agriculture under Governor Cuomo.
Ed King, a long time Saratoga County dairy farmer was widely known and respected by agricultural leaders across the state. He is intelligent; loaded with common sense; an effective public speaker; a solid citizen and a solid family man. Ed King would be an excellent ambassador for Governor Spitzer.
I lost contact with Ed when I was elected as NYS Supreme Court, a position from which I have retired. When my brother in law, a Saratogian, informed me Ed King is on Governor Spitzer's transition team, the thought struck me that I should recommend Ed King to be our next Commissioner of Agriculture. Feel free to call me at 716 763 6597.

Score (105)

Rethink, reissue and reinforce Governor Pataki's proclamation of May 1997.
Promote and encorage walking and bicycling. ISTEA, TEA-21
and SAFETEA-LU support this.
The FHWA tries to promote the TEA programs but the local municipalities have difficulty getting things done. Pedestrians and motor
vehicles are still in conflict.
- Submitted by William Terheun on 12.14.06

Score (280)

1. Please renew the Professional Retention Grant program for our hard-working and horribly underpaid staff.
2. The NYS requirement for a parent to SUE an absent parent in family court as a qualification for receiving child care subsidy funds punishes the parent who is raising the child. It upsets a sometimes delicate balance that already exists. This could be accomplished through NYS Employment tax and other vehicles. Now it is keeping children out of quality care and putting them in harm's way.
3. The NYS requirements methods of verification for child care subsidy applicants concerning their income verification and work schedules is onerous and unfair. It needs to be reworked to take into account the chaotic life of day laborers and domestic workers.

Score (20)

Arthur Springer
Lay Advocate for People With Disabilities
150 W. 80 St. -- 4A
New York, N.Y. 10024-6313
212-580-9143
as99@verizon.net
Friday 22 December 2006
Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General
Office of Justice Programs
Office for Civil Rights
810 7th Street, NW
US Dept. of Justice
Washington, DC 20531
Fax: (202)616-9865 • ojpwebmaster@usdoj.gov
Winston A. Wilkinson, Director
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
200 Independence Avenue, S.W. -- Room 509F, HHH Building
Washington, D.C. 20201
fax: 202-619-3437 • OCRMail@hhs.gov
RE: 11/28/2006 Report of the

Score (32)

As a newly retired teacher who voted for Alan Hevesi, I have a vested interest in who is suggested and chosen as the new comptroller. Today's times mentioned some politicians names. One of these I had as a law school professor. He was unprepared and awful. If he couldn't teach a class, how could he be a comptroller with billions at stake. Please don't make a "political" decision for this most important position. This requires a highly intelligent
financial expert with a background in New York State.
- Submitted by Laura Stern on 12.22.06

Score (28)

1. Make sure incoming commissioners (and the new Comptroller)are aware of and comply with the preferred source procurement program that enables employment of people with severe disabilities and promotes other important social policies. See NYS Finance Law Sec. 162 and http://www.ogs.state.ny.us/procurecounc/aboutpc.asp
2. Encourage political subdivisions of NYS to meet their obligations under the Preferred Source procurement program. NYS Finance Law Sec. 162.4.
- Submitted by Mark Leeds on 11.14.06

Score (58)

Please address fair wages for farm workers and other low income earners. Thank you.
- Submitted by vivienne heston-demirel on 12.22.06