Archive (2009)

Mother's Day News

Eric Massa's appearances at local high schools is getting some press. WENY also has video of his lightly attended town hall meeting in Chemung.

Everybody Must Get Cut

The Ithaca Journal reports that the $500K cap on gross income is back in the 2010 Obama budget. This cap had been changed to adjusted gross income in the Congressional version of the budget, but it's back in as a "bargaining chip".

The Star-Gazette has news of the helicopter budget cuts, which include both Marine One and a search-and-rescue helicopter called CSAR-X.

Marine One

WENY reports that Eric Massa is among the members of the New York delegation who's optimistic that some scaled-down version of a new Presidential helicopter will be built. The proposed replacement for the aging fleet has turned into a huge boondoggle, with the estimated cost topping out at $400 million per helicopter.

To get an idea of how crazy that price is, the helicopter on which Marine One is based cost $27 million each when first introduced in 2000.

Update: The D&C pegs the number of jobs riding on this program as 800, centered in the town of Owego, which is roughly halfway between Elmira and Binghamton.

Morning News: Iraq and Cheddar

Eric Massa says he probably won't support the Iraq/Afghanistan supplemental, because of a campaign promise not to vote for more Iraq funding until there was a concrete troop withdrawal plan.

The D&C's story on road funding quotes Massa. All totaled, the area will have $73 million of road building financed with stimulus funds.

MP Swine Flu Editorial

The Messenger-Post's Monday editorial cautions Eric Massa to keep the swine flu hype in check.

Elmira Vietnam Vets Museum

Reader Elmer sends today's Corning Leader front page [pdf] and (jump [pdf]) with coverage of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans' Museum in Elmira. Eric Massa spoke at the dedication. The Star-Gazette also has coverage of the event.

The Leader also front-pages the passing of Jack Kemp. Here's a great example of the kind of class act Kemp was. (via Balloon Juice).

Evening News: Budget and Border Closings

WETM lists the money coming to the district from the just-passed budget.

Rob Price at the Steuben Courier has a column where he interviews his mother-in-law about border closings.