Click here to listen to Senator Liz Krueger’s interview with Susan Arbetter on The Capital Pressroom.
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Message from Liz . . .
We are a less than a week away from the 10 year anniversary of the attacks of September 11, 2001, and just over a week past Hurricane Irene. Each had a very different and complex cause; both left us with the immediate need to rebuild our communities. Both also highlight the importance of interdependence as a fundamental strength of our democratic society. In other words, none of us “do it all by ourselves;” we survive through our inter-relationships and our dependence on institutions. When the basic safety and infrastructure of local communities is damaged, we must rely on others to help us rebuild. It really does “take a village.”
It is during these times that we, as a society, are tested. The attack on 9/11 took thousands of lives and its impact was felt throughout the world. Here in NYC our fortitude, our ability to overcome fear and our challenge to work together to rebuild our City were tested. Hurricane Irene caused enormous destruction to communities up and down the East Coast, fortunately with minimal loss of life, and it tested our societal ability — government and private citizens alike — to plan for and respond to emergencies. In each case we passed these tests with flying colors.
Out of these tragedies we have seen something amazing: people – as professionals, as volunteers and as neighbors – rushing to help each other. But without the organization and direction of government and nonprofit institutions, this response would have been haphazard and wasteful. Imagine the rescue and recovery at Ground Zero without the FDNY, the NYPD and EMS. Absent prior planning, clear command and control, appropriate use of trained experts, monetary resources directed properly and coordination of effort, disaster response does not work. Neighbors helping neighbors is a wonderful thing, but it is only governmental entities that can ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness at such a large scale. (Speaking of helping out — due to the disruptions caused by Irene, all our blood banks could really use donors right now. More info is below)….
Complete Community Bulletin: Sept 2011
On Tuesday, September 6 from 4 to 8 p.m., Senator Liz Krueger, Environmental Advocates and other groups from across New York State plan to engage Governor Cuomo and the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in a virtual conversation on hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking,”—using social media tools Twitter and Facebook. Click here for details.
New York is preparing to release the 1,000+ document that could guide fracking – a form of natural gas drilling – if it proceeds in New York. But Governor Cuomo only plans to give New Yorkers 60 days to read it and share their concerns. We’re calling on the Governor to extend the comment period to 180 days to allow everyone, including scientists, public health experts, and local governments, time to weigh in on the fracking guidelines.
We are asking New Yorkers who care about New York’s water and communities and are worried about fracking to post pictures, videos, and comments on Governor Cuomo’s Facebook page and tweet him to let them know why a longer comment period is needed.
On the day of the virtual rally, we will be asking people to tweet Governor Cuomo and to use the Twitter hashtags #180daysforNY and #fracking, as well as post on the Governor’s Facebook page. Look for the hashtags to follow the rally on Twitter and Facebook!
Click here for further information!
Citizens throughout the state experienced extreme weather on Sunday, the 28th, and many New Yorkers are still dealing with the aftermath of flooding, downed trees, power outages and other devastation. It is encouraged that those who felt the most destructive effects of Hurricane Irene to act quickly and take the appropriate steps to file insurance claims for damaged or lost property.
Here are some suggestions for filing an insurance claim for damaged or lost property:
Dear Community Members,
Many of my constituents have chosen to hire full time nannies or other domestic workers for their families. Some people are unaware, however, that when they hire domestic workers, they become employers, subject to the same rules and regulations of the Federal and New York State governments as any other employer and business. These regulations can be incredibly complex and are difficult to navigate even for a professional accountant.
Most people who hire domestic workers are honest citizens who want to do right by their employees but simply do not have the time or expertise in labor and tax law to fully understand their obligations. Seeing this as a common issue for my constituents, I have sought to compile all pertinent information related to hiring domestic workers in an easy-to-understand way. I have included information on protecting your employees and yourself, and the recently enacted Domestic Workers’ Bill of Rights.
While my staff and I have done our best to ensure the information contained in this guide is accurate and up to date, the laws can change at any time. I recommend you check with the agencies listed in the back of this guide, or other knowledgeable professionals, to ensure that you are complying with all the latest laws and regulations.
Click Here For Senator Liz Krueger’s Guide to Employing a Nanny & Other Full Time Domestic Workers
KATONAH – With the Cuomo administration moving quickly to allow hydrofracking in parts of New York, maybe the industry doesn’t think they need to court state senators.
No industry representatives chose to show up at a public hearing Tuesday chaired by a Republican Conservative, flanked by two progressive Democrats…
…”if they’ve got nothing to hide why do they never show up to testify in their own defense?,” asked Senator Liz Krueger (D – Manhattan).
“The fact that they’re unwilling to come to tell us how everything has improved makes me, not only suspect, but extremely concerned,” said Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D – Westchester County).