Voters have climate change on their minds this election year
Climate change policies must be front of mind in voting booth this year
Science has been telling us for decades that our greenhouse gas emissions will cause our climate to change. We will experience assorted extreme events such as severe wildfires, droughts, floods, heat waves and storms. These emissions mostly come from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas.
New climate analysis (“Scientists say climate change made Helene, Milton more destructive," Oct. 12) is called attrition science, and it studies a specific climate event to see if the severity of that event can be attributed to climate change. Both the recent insidious, deadly hurricanes, Helene and Milton were adversely affected by our human-induced warming, according to attrition analysis.
This approach makes the science of climate change far more focused. We desperately need focus as so many Americans have been bamboozled with regard to our disrupted climate. It is considered by many experts to be the most serious crisis humans have ever faced and yet many folks view it as a hoax.
As we approach Election Day, it is essential that we consider each candidate’s views on climate change. We need to vote for those individuals who comprehend the extreme threat of our disrupted climate and advocate for robust mitigation to alleviate it.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
A typical current list of issues important to voters includes the economy, health care, congressional partisan intransigence, gun violence, crime, immigration, climate change, the federal debt and education.
Any single one of these issues affects one or several of the others. However, there is one issue from the list that has the power to have incredibly strong effects on all of the others. If we do not address this one issue, it will make all the other issues much worse. And if we do pay credence to it, we may actually be able to relieve much of the stress that is currently afflicting our society.
The issue I am referring to is climate change.
The increased frequency and severity of hurricanes, floods, tornadoes and drought, the length and severity of above-average heat periods, and abnormal amounts of rainfall are all the result of climate change.
Of the two major political parties vying for control of our government, one party has made climate change a priority. The second party is largely still in a state of denial that any problem exists.
Warnings on climate change were first presented some 60 years ago, but they were largely shelved because addressing the issue would have conflicted with the normal economic operation of the country. The Biden administration has taken a different approach: It has enacted programs to build economic development by addressing the known causes of climate change.
Democrats are working to alleviate the increasing threat climate change presents for all of us. I hope everyone considers this situation when they go to vote.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
The article "N.Y. Dems focus on abortion rights: But the GOP's pivot to border, inflation may be working ahead of 2024 elections,” Oct. 12, provided the insight of Ronald Seyb, a political science professor at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs. I agree that surveys of election issues include “kitchen table” issues.
Since candidates for elected federal and state government positions influence government policies and programs, we need to protect our constitutional human rights including our public health and safety. I think political parties and their candidates during our global warming emergency have decided to limit the discussion of the public health of workers and their employers at worksites. Only one candidate within our region, Assemblymember Phil Steck, seems to be actively supporting state government protection of workers and employers from heat-related illness and disabilities with his support of S1604/A8935.
Our constitutionally guaranteed human rights must be protected with climate-smart policies protecting life during our global warming and accompanying extreme climate events. Deniers of human rights continue to obstruct discussions during election campaigns and suppress public health heat protection standards.
These climate-smart policies are needed so our neighbors and their employers can work to sustain our “kitchen table” necessities.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
As voters, we all have choices of national importance to make on Election Day.
This year, there is an additional and important choice for Bethlehem voters. When we turn over our election ballots, we have the opportunity to vote for Proposition 2. This proposition will establish four-year terms for Bethlehem’s town supervisor, highway superintendent and clerk. The current term for these elected officials is only two years and, like towns across the state, many are realizing that the stability of a four-year term allows for better planning and implementation of town policies and projects. It allows for more efficiency of our government and, therefore, it saves our tax dollars.
Our town board members and our town receiver of taxes already have four-year terms and with a “yes” vote, we can have more uniform elections. This is a position supported by Democrats, Republicans and independents and is simply common sense. I urge everyone to flip the ballot over and vote “yes” for Proposition 2.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
Our budgets are the most important documents in our country, our state, and our local governments. They determine what will get implemented, what is prioritized and what is cast aside.
Minita Sanghvi, a business professor at Skidmore College and the Finance Commissioner of Saratoga Springs, comes with strong credentials, an undergrad degree in accounting, MBA and PhD. She has put those credentials to work for the city and made effective use of the resources to build a third EMS/ fire station, hire 16 new firefighters, fund a homeless shelter, ensure our public safety budget was robust and increase recreation opportunities for young children and adults, and prioritize our city’s climate resiliency, while replenishing our reserves and maintaining an AA+ credit rating for the city. One way she helped the city’s finances was when she bought back our National Grid lightbulbs and replaced them with LEDs, this action alone will save the city thousands of dollars and make it more environmentally sustainable over the next decade.
We need smart leadership with forward-thinking ideas from our next state senator. Voting for Sanghvi is an investment in all our futures. As a former state budget director, I am excited to have someone with her finance knowledge and experience to serve as our representative in the state Senate. It’s time for a change and more capable representation.
Published Oct. 14, 2024
Under Michele Madigan’s leadership as finance commissioner, Madigan successfully refinanced the city’s debt, saving taxpayers an impressive $5.9 million. Additionally, her outstanding AA+ bond rating reflects her commitment to sound financial management.
Madigan has kept taxes stable for over a decade, providing much-needed financial and economic security for our city. Her proven track record makes her an excellent candidate for county treasurer, and I believe she will bring the same level of dedication and expertise to Saratoga County.
I hope we can all support Madigan for a fiscally responsible future.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
Progress for all New Yorkers has never been more important and, this year, progress is on the ballot. The Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York is urging everyone to flip over ballots this year and vote "yes" on Proposition 1 to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment into the state Constitution.
I have heard from our members and seen firsthand the impact of sex and gender bias that has been pervasive in our society. Discrimination affects many areas of life including salaries, education, housing and employment. From different outcomes for women and children in court to the barriers placed before clients simply because of who they are, the discriminatory policies, behaviors and practices we see perpetuate disadvantages for certain people.
Voting for Proposition 1 will enshrine equal protections in the state constitution. There are many myths about the ERA. But, on its basic level, it will provide protections for women and other protected classes already recognized under the New York Human Rights Law such as national origin, ethnicity, disability and age. This constitutional amendment will ensure that the important laws protecting New Yorkers from discrimination will no longer be subject to the whims of the Legislature. New York would join 29 other states that already have ERAs in their constitutions.
Our organization, comprised of attorneys, judges, educators and others in the legal profession, has held and will continue to hold information sessions to provide voters with information to make informed decisions at the ballot box this year.
The writer is the president of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
This November, New Yorkers can vote on Proposition 1, a referendum to expand the state’s constitutional protections to include equal protection in matters of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, and country of origin.
Opponents of Prop 1 are selling a fear narrative that this amendment diminishes parental rights. In fact, the amendment gives parents constitutional protection to address the sexuality of their own children as they see fit. No surgery or any medication can be administered to minors in New York without parental consent. Former President Donald Trump has bizarrely and publicly asserted that schools are somehow engaged in secret sex change surgery of minors when schools can’t even administer Tylenol or cough syrup without parental permission.
The fact is that Prop 1 expands state constitutional protections for all New Yorkers in matters of sex, sexual orientation, age, and disability. These protections include giving parents the right to choose how to best care for their own children in matters of sexual orientation.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
I have recently seen political signs in my Guilderland community urging voters to vote "no" on Proposition 1. The wording on the signs uses the scare tactic to "save girls’ sports" by voting this proposition down. This proposition has nothing to do with the survival of girls’ sports. Voters cannot be fooled into believing that it does.
Proposition 1 has also been known as the New York Equal Rights Amendment, which adds protection from discrimination and ensures equal rights in our state constitution to those most vulnerable. At the time, it was most known to protect women’s rights by writing this protection into the constitution. Equal rights are again on the political agenda and are in danger of being diminished or eliminated for some New Yorkers.
Politicians across the country are trying to restrict people’s rights, reproductive rights, and the freedom to be who we are.
Everyone needs to educate themselves on Proposition 1 and vote "yes." Voters also need to understand what the implications of voting "no" truly are.
Published Oct. 24, 2024
When I discuss former President Donald Trump’s attributes and behaviors with the few people with whom I can have a nonviolent, if not necessarily friendly, discussion I realize that Trumpism represents a lesson in denialism that far exceeds anything that I’ve ever seen.
When presented with Trump’s well-chronicled history of crime and corruption, it seems to vaporize in their minds. When those supporters can stand by a man who tried to violently overthrow the results of a legitimate election with deadly results, that’s a mindset that logic and reason will never reach and should be feared for the consequences that it portends.
There is no question that Democracy itself is at stake this year. If Trump wins, America will lose and will suffer for it.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
I will start my last letter to the editor before the 2024 presidential election with what I said in my first in January of this year. I was a longtime Conservative Party member and that all changed with the emergence of Donald Trump and his brand overrunning the Conservative and Republican parties and their values.
As I watch all the hateful and negative rhetoric that the former president repeatedly and constantly spews, I find it unconscionable how anyone could support him.
Let’s not forget the election denial of 2020 and the cost to us the taxpayers to prove that all of his ridiculous claims were untrue. Claims he is still using to incite concerns about our country’s election integrity even though our process is more secure than ever.
Let’s not forget that horrible day of Jan. 6, 2021, and his lack of concern for our country and his own vice president’s safety.
Let’s not forget the 100-plus people who served in the Trump administration who say he is unfit for the Oval Office.
Let’s not forget Liz Cheney, one of the staunchest conservative representatives, saying she will be voting for his opponent for president.
America needs to wake up and put its anger and hate and partisan politics aside and do what’s right for our country.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
When will Americans finally say to former President Donald Trump, “Have you no sense of decency, sir, at long last?” That was the question asked in 1954 that helped Americans realize they’d had enough of Joe McCarthy. When his lying and manipulations were challenged in the U.S. Senate by lawyer Joseph Welch, and McCarthy was held to account for ruining the lives of the people whom he smeared and slandered.
What will make Americans realize that Trump is far worse than McCarthy? That he is more irresponsible and violent? Isn’t it enough that like an enraged schoolboy Trump defames his opponents and critics as “stupid” and “mentally disabled?”
Isn’t it enough that he smears hard-working immigrants, spreading nonsense that they are criminals, that they steal jobs, that they eat dogs and cats?
Shouldn’t his latest lies about the hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida be the last straw? Trump has tried to score political points with the full-blown nonsense that the Biden administration plays favorites with disaster relief, which is what Trump did when he was president.
His opponent Vice President Kamala Harris asked Trump, “Have you no empathy?”
But isn’t it worse?
When will Americans finally declare that not only does Trump have no empathy but that he also is simply indecent? That he is, to use a favorite word of his, a disgrace.
Published Oct. 21, 2024
