SENATOR GILLIBRAND MAKES A STOP IN ROCHESTER

U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand meets with CSEA members at Workers United on East Ave., Rochester, N.Y. for a lunchtime informational meeting.  Left to right are:  Sean M. Lyman Sr., Debbie Lee, Senator Gillibrand and Ove Overmyer.

(photos by Bess Watts)

Rochester, N.Y.--  Senator Kirsten Gillibrand made the rounds today in Rochester, taking scheduled time to meet and greet with local labor leaders from the Rochester area.  Members and delegates from the Rochester and Genesee Valley Area Labor Federation, AFL-CIO introduced themselves and particpated in a Q and A with Senator Gillibrand. 

Just yesterday, Gillibrand was officially endorsed by the NYS AFL-CIO for championing many labor and human rights issues that are important to the working families of our area.  At the meeting today, Senator Gillibrand also called for the owners of the Mott's plant in Williamson, N.Y. to get back to the bargaining table.  Strikers have been on the picket line since May 23.  Additionally, union leaders from NYSUT and RTA gave kudos to Gillibrand who helped lead the fight to save education jobs in New York.

After months of Republican obstruction in the U.S. Senate, vital aid will now be delivered to states facing massive budget shortfalls and layoffs of hundreds of thousands of teachers, public employees, police officers and firefighters, in part thanks to Senator Gillibrand.

The legislation provides $10 billion to school districts to rehire laid-off teachers or to ensure that more teachers won't be let go before the new school year begins. The Education Department estimates that could save 160,000 jobs.  The same bill President Obama signed will also deliver an extra $16 billion in sorely needed Medicaid funding.  Now, all we have to do is get our dysfunctional state legislature back to Albany to officially appropriate the funds.

Last month, the House passed legislation to stop abusive mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud against seniors and educate them about financial fraud. Senator Gillibrand introduced similar legislation in the Senate.   Her bill, which is called, The Senior Financial Empowerment Act would:

*Direct the FTC to establish a one-stop-shop for consumer education on mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud against seniors;

*Establish a grant program to give states and local organizations resources they need to initiate local mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud prevention and education programs for seniors;

*Declare a "National Senior Fraud Awareness Week" in May – coordinated with Elder Abuse Awareness Month – to increase public awareness of the enormous impact that mail, telemarketing and Internet fraud have on senior citizens in the U.S.

In western New York all day, Senator Gillibrand also called for increased penalties for people who commit fraud against seniors and said, "We must crack down on “Senior Advisor” scams."