Monroe County Faces Potential Bankruptcy within a Decade
Democrats: Reduce Spending Growth to Prevent Fiscal Disaster

Rochester, New York –December 8, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature today announced that if nothing is done to address the long-term structural deficit, the County faces bankruptcy within a decade or sooner. The projection was made based on the average annual decline in the County’s net assets—or the County’s total property and resources minus its liabilities—over the past six years of $57 million. To view the rest of this story, click here.

The 2009 County Budget Fails the People of Monroe County: GOP Ignores Looming $104 Million Deficit

Rochester, New York –December 2, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature announced their opposition to the proposed 2009 County budget, calling it fiscally irresponsible and unsustainable. Included in the Republican budget is a projected deficit of $104 million in two years. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Continue Push to Prohibit SS Numbers on Web Site

Rochester, New York –September 22, 2008.  Democratic legislation to protect Monroe County residents from identity theft by forbidding an individual’s social security number from appearing on the county web site is set to be voted on tomorrow night during the Ways & Means Committee meeting.  The legislation is opposed by corporate special interests that would prefer less regulation, but Democrats contend that protecting an individual’s financial security and identity trumps any corporations’ inconvenience. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

FAIR Settlement Details Released

Rochester, New York –September 8, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are reacting to the F.A.I.R. plan settlement with a mixture of relief and disappointment. Democrats are pleased that the School Districts were willing to work collaboratively towards a mutually beneficial agreement, but the entire F.A.I.R. debacle has left lingering questions about the County's commitment to solving the chronic budget deficit through sound fiscal management. To view the rest of this story, click here. Please find the agreement attached.

 

Lightfoot: Lonsberry an Embarrassment to the Community
Demands Swift Discipline for False Claim

Rochester, New York – August 22, 2008.  Monroe County Legislator Willie J. Lightfoot (D-Rochester) is calling for immediate disciplinary action against radio host Bob Lonsberry for potentially libelous statements made on this afternoon’s broadcast of his show, which airs on local radio station WHAM. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call for Clerk to Protect Personal Privacy
"Social Security Numbers Must Be Removed from Website"

Rochester, New York – August 7, 2008.  After media reports revealed that thousands of individuals' social security numbers appear on the Monroe County Clerk’s website, Democrats in the County Legislature are calling for the information to be immediately removed or for portions of the website be blocked by the County until it can be removed. To read the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Disappointed with Steep Day Care Cuts

Rochester, New York – August 1, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature expressed shock and disappointment at today’s announcement that Maggie Brooks intends on cutting the income threshold for day care subsidies from 165% to a disgraceful 125% of the federal poverty level. In real dollars, this means that a single mother must earn less than $17,500 annually to qualify for day care subsidies, down from $23,100 annually. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call for Additional Hearing on Lift Line Changes
Short Notice Impedes Transportation Arrangement Needs

Rochester, New York –July 31, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature have sent a letter to the Rochester Genesee Regional Transit Authority (RGRTA) requesting that a second public hearing be held regarding proposed changes to the Lift Line passenger fares. To view the rest of this story click here. Please find the letter to the RGRTA attached here.

 

Democrats: Medicaid Intercept to Cost $7 Million in 2008

Rochester, New York –July 21, 2008.  The Democratic Caucus of the Monroe County Legislature released an analysis today that projects the County stands to lose over $7 million in 2008 due to the ill-advised Medicaid Intercept, which was passed less than two hours after it was introduced as part of the County Executive’s so-called F.A.I.R. plan. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call on Legislature President to Step Down
Time is Right for New Leadership

Rochester, New York – July 15, 2008.  Democrats, citing a need for a new style of collaborative governance, have called for the resignation of Wayne Zyra as President of the Monroe County Legislature. To view the rest of this story, click here. Please find the attached letters Democratic Minority Leader Bronson sent to President Zyra and Majority Leader Quatro.

 

Democrats: Abandoning FAIR Plan Appeal Right Decision

Rochester, New York – July 9, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are pleased that the unnecessary F.A.I.R. plan litigation has come to an end and that a settlement in principle has been reached with the School Districts. Finally, County Executive Brooks has abandoned the portion of the so-called F.A.I.R. plan that illegally intercepted School District’s sales tax revenue. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats: Renaissance Square Progress Commendable
Request Quarterly Status Reports

Rochester, New York – July 7, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature put forth legislation today requesting quarterly status reports updating members of the Legislature on the projected operating deficits for the bus terminal and performing arts center, as well as the status of closing the anticipated $55 million funding gap needed for a successful completion of the Renaissance Square project. Click here to view proposed legislation.To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats: Brooks' Mismanagement Drove Child Care Cut

Rochester, New York – June 13, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are blasting the Brooks administration for a failure to exercise sound fiscal management of child care aid received from New York State. Yesterday, County Executive Brooks attacked Governor Paterson in an attempt to lay blame for her mismanagement on someone else. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call for MCC Trustee Resignations
Credit Van Dusen for Dedicated Service

Rochester, New York – June 11, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are calling for the immediate resignations of the eight remaining appointed Monroe Community College Trustees, citing a leadership void and the community’s complete lack of trust in the Board’s ability to perform a credible Presidential search. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Demand Brooks' Alternative Budget

Rochester, New York – June 6, 2008.  In response to today’s refusal by the Appellate Division to hear an appeal of the decision invalidating the so-called F.A.I.R. plan, Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature called on the Brooks’ administration to put forth the alternative budget that is required by legislation unanimously passed by the County Legislature on April 8, 2008. To view the unanimously adopted legislation, click here. To see the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats: Budget Working Group in Limbo
Budget Workgroup Announcement Deemed Partisan Charade

Rochester, New York – June 3, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature responded with disappointment to today’s coordinated political campaign by the Republican Majority and the County Executive to claim an agreement had been reached on the creation of a bi-partisan team to study the County’s current fiscal crisis. No agreement has been made, discussions are still in progress. To click on the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Launch Updated Website
Updates Include Video of Legislature Meetings, Minutes & More

Rochester, New York – June 2, 2008.  Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature today launched an updated version of their website (www.democraticledger.org) which includes new features to increase public access and involvement in County government. To view the rest of this story, please click here.

 

Democrats Support MCC Faculty, Staff & Student No Confidence Vote Call for Trustees to Vote on Spraggs

Rochester, New York – May 30, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature offered their support to the Monroe Community College community after today’s announcement that they no longer have confidence in their Board of Trustees’ ability to conduct an independent, credible Presidential search. Democrats also called on the Trustees to hold a vote on the only remaining candidate—Laurence Spraggs—who was recommended by the independent search committees. To view the rest of this story, please click here.

 

Democrats Welcome Brooks' New Position on MCC Search

Rochester, New York - May 23, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature expressed disappointment that the County's top Republican failed to speak out in time to salvage the previous search for the next President of Monroe Community College. Democrats also welcomed County Executive Maggie Brooks' announcement today that Trustees who can not place their political agendas aside should resign from the Monroe Community College Board of Trustees. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Say Legislature President Setting Dangerous Precedent

Rochester, New York - May 21, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are expressing serious concern with the Republican majority's repeated and unfounded refusal to allow for consideration of legislative oversight of the County's involvement in the Renaissance Square project. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Issue New Call for Renaissance Square Oversight

Rochester, New York – May 13, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature have re-introduced legislation creating a bipartisan Legislative Review Panel to oversee the County portion of the Renaissance Square Project and its finances. To view the rest of this story click here, to see the proposed legislation click here.

 

Democrats Demand Answers from Water Authority

Rochester, New York - May 1, 2008. - Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature today called on the Monroe County Water Authority (MCWA) to provide a full accounting of the circumstances surrounding the disposal of fill soil by MCWA to the private property of a MCWA official. To view this story click here. Attached is a copy of Legislator Heider's letter and the original story at the following link: http://www.whec.com/articles/stories/S431010.shtml?cat=566.

 

Democrats: SUNY Chancellor Should Review MCC Presidential Search

Rochester, New York - March 31, 2008. - Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature released a letter sent to SUNY Chancellor John Clark last Wednesday, March 26. Click here to view the letter or rest of this story.

 

Democrats Proposal Gains Momentum: Call for Alternative Budget Options to Remedy Crisis Unanimously Supported

Rochester, New York - March 27, 2008. A Democratic proposal seeking alternative solutions to a possible $29 million budget crisis has gained the support of the entire Monroe County Legislature. To view the rest of this story, click here. To view the proposal, click here.

 

Democrats Blast Continuing Water Authority Patronage

Rochester, New York - March 25, 2008. - Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature are denouncing the Republican Majority's refusal to ensure a meaningful, bipartisan composition on the County's Water Authority Board. To read the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Applaud Paterson's Commitment to Upstate: Call for Approval of $1 Billion Upstate Revitalization Fund

Rochester, New York - March 20, 2008. - Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature today joined with Governor Paterson in supporting the proposed $1 billion Upstate Revitalization Fund. To read the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call for Unity Resolving Budget Crisis

Rochester, New York - March 21, 2008. Democrats in the County Legislature responded to today's opinion rejecting the County Executive's so-called F.A.I.R. plan by requesting the Brooks Administration bring all interested stake holders together to create a true community solution to the county's ongoing budget crisis. To view the rest of this story, click here.

 

"Public Input Should be Embraced, Not Feared"
Democrats Propose Transparency Measure

Rochester, New York - March 19, 2008. Democrats today announced an innovative proposal intended to increase transparency and opportunities for public input in the county's legislative process. To view the rest of this story click here, to view the proposed Matters of Urgency or FOIL reforming legislation, please click on the associated bolded pervious links.

 

Paterson Ready to Serve: A Call for Healing After Resignation

Rochester, New York – March 12, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature offered the following statement on today’s resignation by Governor Eliot Spitzer.

 

State Committee on Open Government Confirms Violation in Public Defender Selection Process

Rochester, New York – March 9, 2008.  A recent opinion rendered by the New York State Committee on Open Government concluded that the closed-door approach in the process of selecting the county’s next public defender did in fact violate open meetings law, a position long held by community groups and Democratic legislators alike. Click here for the rest of this story. Find the opinion and the agenda for the January 17 committee meeting.

 

Democrats Denounce Brooks/Quatro Partisan Sniping

Rochester, New York – March 5, 2008. Democrats today responded to County Republicans’ press conference on the Governor’s proposed budget. Click here for the rest of this story.

 

Democrats Support Monroe County Schools

Rochester, New York - February 28, 2008. Democrats in the Monroe County Legislature released the following statement on today's hearing on the so-called F.A.I.R. plan.

 

Democrats Vote to Restore Sales Tax Free Weeks in Monroe County

Rochester, New York – February 27, 2008. Democratic legislators on the Monroe County Legislature's Ways and Means Committee tonight voted in favor of reinitiating sales tax free weeks, but the proposal was rejected by the Republican Majority. For the rest of this story, click here.

 

Democrats Call for Renaissance Square Oversight Panel
Legislation Would Establish Bipartisan Committee to Review Finances

 

What Went Wrong?

Democrats Condemn Conduct at February 12 Meeting

Rochester, New York – February 13, 2008.  County Legislature Democrats today continued to voice serious reservations about the selection process used to install Timothy Donaher as our next public defender.

In recent weeks, when it became clear politics had tainted the defender selection process, Democrats repeatedly attempted to restore the public’s waning confidence  by submitting legislation to require a state-wide search for highly qualified applicants was conducted. Unfortunately, the Majority rejected this legislation, choosing to place one advertisement for this critical position, which yielded a mere three applications.

In the end, Timothy Donaher was appointed as Monroe County’s next public defender, over the unanimous objections of our community, elected officials and religious leaders. 

Related Press Releases on the Public Defender Issue:

February 12, 2008 - Meeting of the Full Legislature, Party-Line Vote Appoints Tim Donaher as County's Public Defender

February 9, 2008 - Reconvening of the Special Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the County Legislature, Democrats Disappointed in Continuation of Selection Process

January 29, 2008 - Legislator Calvin Lee Resubmits Defender Selection Proposal, Click Here to View Proposed Legislation

January 25, 2008 - Democrats Respond to Second Offer to Monroe County Bar Association

January 18, 2008 - President Zyra Rejects Merit-Based, Non-Political Screening Panel Proposal from Democrats

January 18, 2008 - Merit-Based, Non-Political Selection Process for the Next Public Defender Urged by Democrats, Click Here to View Proposed Legislation

January 17, 2008 - Special Meeting of the Public Safety Committee of the County Legislature, Democrats Walk Out: Reject Partisanship in Public Defender Selection Process

December 19, 2007 - Democratic Caucus Withdraw Support of Zyra's Public Defender Selection Process

 

Democrats’ Warning Holds True: Republican F.A.I.R. Plan Delivers Higher Tax Bills to Monroe County Residents

Rochester, New York – January 7, 2008.  Democratic Minority Leader Harry Bronson and members of the Democratic Caucus of the Monroe County Legislature held a press conference Tuesday morning to demonstrate how the 2008 Republican budget plan has resulted in higher tax bills for Monroe County residents. To view their thorough tax-bill analysis, click here.

Click Here to View Tax-Bill Analysis

To View Your Tax Bill, Access the Monroe County Real Property Portal

 

Cindy Kaleh Appoint to County Legislature: Maplewood Activist Replaces Palumbo in 28th Distinct Rochester, New York – January 4, 2008.  Cindy Kaleh, co-owner of KalTech Support Team, Inc. and president of the Maplewood Neighborhood Association (MNA) has been appointed to serve as Monroe County Legislator for the 28th district. Kaleh replaces former County Legislator Carla M. Palumbo. For the rest of this story, click here.