Month: July 2020

July 30, 2020

From Senator Gillibrand:

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, and U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Finance Committee, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), and U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) are calling for direct relief for small farmers who have been hit hard by months of closed restaurants, schools, and farmers markets. In a letter sent to Senate leadership, the senators urged the Senate to include the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act in the next coronavirus response package. The comprehensive legislation would provide economic relief for small farmers suffering from massive financial losses due to reduced demand and supply chain disruptions during the pandemic. Currently, farm bankruptcies are at an eight year high and family farmers are carrying historical high debt. The financial struggles of more than 30,000 New York farmers has only been exacerbated by the current crisis and many will be unable to sustain their operations without federal relief. The Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act will support the nation’s most vulnerable farmers by alleviating debt, keeping farms open, and fortifying the nation’s food supply.

“The CARES Act does not go far enough to sustain small farms through this difficult time; they need urgent and direct loan forgiveness so they can continue maintaining operations, paying their workers, and keeping food on Americans’ tables,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This legislation will not only strengthen family farms but also bolster rural economies that have been devastated by this crisis. We must pass this legislation now so that we can keep small farmers in their homes and on their land. I will continue working with my colleagues to include the Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act in an upcoming relief package to ensure our farmers are not left behind.”

“Like other small businesses, family farmers in Oregon and nationwide are struggling to stay afloat during this challenging time. These small farms are the backbone of rural economies, supporting jobs that are desperately needed during this time of historically high unemployment,” Senator Wyden said. “Congress must step up and do more to help family farms weather this storm and keep rural communities strong.”

“Family farmers are the backbone of our rural economy, but many small farms were left out of recent relief funding,” said Senator Sanders. “We need to ensure that any COVID-relief package going forward includes help for the small, diversified farmers who are feeding their local communities.”

Family farms received minimal benefits through the SBA under the CARES Act and have struggled to access emergency federal farm aid allocated to USDA in the same coronavirus response package. Additional measures are needed to support small farms and keep them operating throughout the coronavirus pandemic and beyond. The Relief for America’s Small Farmers Act would directly address this crisis by providing a one-time debt forgiveness of up to $250,000, across three types of USDA FSA loans: Direct Farm Operating, Direct Farm Ownership, and Emergency Loans. All small farms with an average adjusted gross income of up to $300,000 for the previous five years will be eligible, regardless of their commodities. Additionally, while many debt relief programs exclude farmers from future benefits, the legislation would ensure that farmers who receive debt forgiveness or write-downs maintain their eligibility for further USDA Direct and Guaranteed loans.

New York is home to one of the most diverse agricultural industries in the country and is largely composed of small and medium-sized family operations. However, even before the coronavirus outbreak, farmers across New York and the country faced economic hardship caused by tight margins, growing debt, natural disasters, and an unstable trade market. Over the years, farm bankruptcies have continued to rise, with many small farms just one natural disaster or bad farm season away from bankruptcy. Now, the coronavirus pandemic has become the bad season they feared, as closed schools, restaurants, farmers markets, have disrupted the nation’s food supply and devastated revenue streams for farmers in New York State. The Relief for America’s Small Farmer’s Act would help put farms back on the path to economic stability, while ensuring that relief is provided directly to the farmers that need it most.

As a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, Senator Gillibrand has prioritized support for farmers throughout the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to introducing the Relief for America’s Small Farmer’s Act, she has called on the administration to support dairy producers and provide assistance under the CARES Act for local food producers who have experienced losses due to the coronavirus outbreak. Gillibrand also introduced the Food Bank Access to Farm Fresh Produce Act which would support struggling farmers who lack buyers for their produce by giving food banks the power to purchase excess specialty crops directly from farmers.

July 30, 2020

Reed’s Opening Statement On Child Care:

We agree. Families need access to child care. It’s key to making America’s recovery stronger.
Child care is an economic, education, and public health issue that demands our full attention, particularly now that millions of Americans want to return to work.
Unfortunately, this crisis has hit child care providers across the country especially hard. Many are facing an acute set of financial challenges.
We must address this problem in a bipartisan manner if we are to ensure our nation’s children and the working families that support them are not left behind during this crisis.
Unfortunately, Democrats have decided to throw bipartisanship out the window, knowing that by doing so they are dooming their own legislation.
They have once again shut us out of the process and crafted a boondoggle of a bill that is out of touch with American’s needs.
This is no more than a copy-paste of various Democrat child-care proposals superficially edited to link to the pandemic.
This bill contains 6 child-care tax provisions that combined would cost more than $100 billion.
Simply throwing as much money as you can at the problem, with no thought into the actual policy itself, won’t work
These provisions haven’t been through regular order in the Committee of jurisdiction, and this package has not been the subject of a single Committee hearing, let alone a Committee mark-up.
It’s abundantly clear Democrats were so eager to achieve a messaging victory, they felt they could skip the whole policymaking process that is fundamental to how Congress is supposed to work.
We’ve been down this road before. In multiple states, the additional child-care funding we already provided through the CARES Act still has not made its way down to child-care providers on the ground.
In my home state of New York, one of my constituents, Beth Starks, testified in front of the New York State Assembly on child-care issues. She highlighted that of $164.6 million in Child Care Development Block Grants for New York State, less than half has gone out to the communities and providers who needed it yesterday.
Her testimony also underscores the negative impact state leaders like Governor Cuomo have had by withholding federal grants to families and providers. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to submit her testimony for the record.
Up until now, Republicans and Democrats have consistently worked together to provide additional support for child care. Again, this an issue we fundamentally all agree on.
On the Ways and Means Committee, we’ve demonstrated time and time again our commitment to improving access to high-quality child care.
Madam Speaker — that’s why we are disappointed. Today’s vote is a wasted opportunity.
I started today by saying we all care deeply about child care. As COVID continues to disrupt American life, that focus has only grown.
As the Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, I can tell you we’re committed to reaching across the aisle and actively looking for issues where we can come together to find common ground.
Leader McCarthy has further made clear his support for prioritizing child care as part of COVID relief and more than 40 Republican Members, including myself, echoed that support in a letter to leadership.
In addition, Republicans have introduced a number of bills that include smart provisions – such as the bills introduced by Reps. Walorski and Wenstrup.
Earlier this week, we led the introduction of a bill called The Back to Work Child Care Grants Act of 2020 to support working families, advance our nation’s economic recovery, and help those parents who want to go back to work. The bill provides a framework for child-care providers to access the resources they need to reopen and stay open.
We’re proud that we were able to make this bill bipartisan because we care about getting results, not headlines.
Thanks to the leadership of folks like Senator Ernst and Senator Alexander, this proposal has a real chance of moving forward.
Clearly, there is some common ground and shared goals among us. But Democrats have skipped regular order and any semblance of meaningful bipartisan discussion.
There is an important role for Congress to play in alleviating the economic stress COVID has placed on American families.
To the reasonable members of the Democrat party — come work with us. Our door is always open. Until you do, Congress will continue to waste the goodwill of the American people.
With that, I yield back.

July 30, 2020

From The Tracy Mitrano For Congress Campaign:

House Judiciary Committee Chair Jerry Nadler (NY-10) has endorsed fellow Democrat Tracy Mitrano in her campaign to represent New York’s 23rd congressional district. Mitrano hopes to win that seat from incumbent Tom Reed, a Republican.

Nadler, who represents the west side of Manhattan, rose to prominence during the 2019–2020 impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump.

“Tracy Mitrano has deep roots in the 23rd district, and that shows in her vision, drive and commitment to its people,” Nadler said. “She brings people together to get things done. Whether it’s farmers and environmentalists or medical experts and worried parents, she demonstrates the leadership qualities voters so desperately need right now.”

Mitrano said she was honored to have the endorsement.

“For nearly three decades, Congressman Nadler has modeled patriotic service and commitment to the House and to this country,” said Mitrano. “He has also actively supported incoming representatives, as I hope to be in the next session. I am very grateful and honored to have his support!”

July 28, 2020

From Noyes Memorial:

Amy Pollard, RN, BSN, MPS, President and CEO of UR Medicine | Noyes Health will retire in March, 2021 after a decade leading Nicholas Noyes Memorial Hospital and its related healthcare entities. Pollard announced her plans to Noyes staff last week.

“I have been blessed to lead Noyes as it has grown and evolved to meet the needs of the community it serves, and I am forever grateful for the work of my colleagues, and Noyes’ Board of Directors, for supporting my efforts” explains Pollard, “This has been a tough decision, but, at 68, it’s time for me to step aside and think about other ways I can contribute to my community. With the benefit of an early announcement, I will be able to work with the Board toward a seamless transition toward a new CEO at Noyes.”

Pollard earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Pittsburgh and her Masters in Professional Studies at Alfred University. She brought more than twenty five years of professional experience with her when she joined Noyes as Vice President of Patient Services in 2007. In February 2011, she was appointed Interim President of Noyes, and assumed the permanent role of President and CEO 6 months later.

During Pollard’s tenure, she successfully led a campaign to build the new and expanded Mary Saunders Beiermann Emergency Department at Noyes, shepherded the organization through the affiliation process with UR Medicine, worked to attract new specialists and other providers to the region, and collaborated with UR Medicine’s Wilmot Cancer Institute to build and open the Ann and Carl Myers Cancer Center, a regional hub for medical and radiation oncology treatment. Noyes also expanded Mental Health and Wellness services, and is currently building the new E. Michael Saunders Imaging Center, with PET/CT scanning equipment and an Interventional Radiology suite to provide additional screening for cancer patients.

“We are sad that Amy is leaving, but we appreciate the time she is giving us to find a successor, one who will have very large shoes to fill,” says James Culbertson, chair of the Noyes Health Board of Directors. “Amy has been a tireless champion for Noyes and for this community, and we look forward to being able to celebrate her contributions and many professional accomplishments when the time is right.”

Steven I. Goldstein, president and CEO of Strong Memorial and Highland hospitals in Rochester, and senior vice president of the University of Rochester Medical Center, also praised Pollard’s leadership.

“During Amy’s tenure as CEO, Noyes Health has improved both as the leading care provider in Livingston County and as a valuable component of the UR Medicine system, providing high-quality health care and preventive services to families across upstate New York,” Goldstein said. “We thank Amy for her service and look forward to working with the Board of Directors in the months ahead to find a new CEO who will continue leading Noyes in a positive direction.”

July 28, 2020

From The Alfred Village Newsletter:

“Hello everyone! I came up with an idea to do a Black Lives Matter Mural, with the help of OJ Shepard, Lacey Gosnell, Alexis Harris-Bates, Caitlin Brown, and Andrea Gill. We have also found a black artist, an Alfred community member, to bring our design idea to life. I am happy to announce that we have gotten appropriate approvals and on to fund raising stage to move this project forward. I have short proposal on the GoFundMe page, any donations would be greatly appreciated!” Krishna Radha

The community will be invited to participate in the creation of this mural. Workshops will be announced in the coming months.

July 28, 2020

From Steuben County:

Millions of dollars of federal aid is potentially on the line as the 2020 US Census picks up speed this week. Mandated by the US Constitution in 1790, the Census is more important than ever in gathering information, according to Jennifer Karius, Census Bureau spokeswoman The information gathered makes sure the county is represented in Congress, and receives adequate funds for road and bridges, schools, health care, services for seniors and business planning, she said. “This is generally the time the Census starts to wrap up,” Karius told the Steuben Legislature during its regular session Monday. “Instead, we’re really just getting started.” Delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic, census workers conducted a door-to-door campaign earlier in the year, dropping off questionnaires on doorsteps in the rural areas of the county, she said. Volunteer census workers are now being recruited and trained, in keeping with CDC pandemic guidance, to reach residents who still need to provide the essential information needed to keep vital services at peak levels during the next 10 years, Karius said. Not only is the information collected anonymously under the highest federal security levels, census workers may be sentenced to federal prison for 5 years and/or fined as much as $250,000 if they reveal the information anyone taking the census, she said. The government makes every effort to gather data used to distribute funds, including providing the survey in English and 12 other languages in order to reach 99 percent of the U.S. population, she said. In addition, workers are being trained to reach Amish communities and the homeless in Steuben. “Really, it’s never been easier to take the census,” Karius said. “On line, on the phone, the mail or through a census worker. No one asks your social security number, your bank account or what your politics are.” *** For more information, including taking the census online go to www.census.gov Recruitment for census workers is still under way. For more information go to https://2020census.gov/jobs *** The US Census determines the annual allocation of $675 billion dollars in federal funding for: Medicaid, SNAP, Highway Planning, Section 8 Housing, Special Education Grants, S-CHIP, Title I Grants, National School Lunch Program, WIC, Head Start, Foster Care, Health Center Programs

The Steuben County Public Health Department received notification that an additional Steuben County resident tested positive for COVID-19. This brings the total to 306 confirmed cases, 13 of which are currently active. The individual is a resident of the Town of Bath.

In addition, a previously reported positive individual who was listed as recovered has tested positive still. This is not considered a new case.

The individuals are isolated and being monitored by the County Health Department. Public Health staff investigated and identified close contacts of the confirmed cases and exposure risks. All those known to have direct contact with the individuals have been notified.

Per CDC and New York State Department of Health guidance, information is collected beginning 48 hours prior to symptom onset or date of test if asymptomatic through the day of the positive test result to identify any potential exposure risks. The investigations indicate the individuals visited the following locations within this timeframe:

· 7/13/20 – 7/24/20 – Fred & Harriett Taylor Health Center in Bath

· 7/14/20 – 7/27/20 – Ira Davenport Memorial Hospital in Bath

· 7/20/20 Morning – Park Pharmacy in Hammondsport

· 7/21/20 Afternoon – Owl Homes in Bath

· 7/25/20 Morning – Dollar General in Prattsburgh

· 7/26/20 Morning – Walmart in Painted Post

“Depending on the lab used for tests, it may take a significant amount of time to receive results,” said Public Health Director, Darlene Smith. “This is particularly true for organizations that require regular testing. Because of the potential delay in test results, it is crucial that all community members follow prevention strategies to stop the further spread of COVID-19. Tested or not, individuals in the community may be positive and not know it.”

All residents should continue to monitor themselves for COVID-19 symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, chills or repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, and new loss of taste or smell and contact their healthcare provider for instructions if feeling ill.

For the latest Steuben County updates, visit Steuben County’s website at www.steubencony.org or social media pages: www.facebook.com/SCNYPublicHealth and www.instagram.com/SteubenPublicHealth.