New York Now with Susan Arbetter

Okay, Nostradamus has nothing to do with it, but who doesn't like a little alliteration?

Matt Ryan (new producer) and I traveled down to NYC yesterday to attend a hearing at 250 Broadway. It was called by the Assembly Committee on Corporations, Authorities & Commissions, chaired by Richard Brodsky.

They are pushing for an omnibus telecommunications act that they say would ensure networks (like Verizon & AT&T) exist with no restrictions on the types of speech permitted on them.

Here's what happened to make this issue a biggie (and this hearing well-attended):

This morning, visited the Muddy Cup, an internet cafe & coffee shop in Albany. Most of the people there had heard of an issue called 'net neutrality', but weren't quite sure what it is.

On Wednesday, I'll tell you. Tomorrow Assemblyman Richard Brodsky is holding a hearing in Manhattan about this issue -- it's not the first time he's brought this topic up. He tried last year too; and for good reason: Any threat to 'net neutrality has free speech advocates very angry.

Matt & I are off to the Big Apple!

For the last 3 months while Troopergate raged around him, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith has laid very low at the State Capitol. In fact, the last time I saw him was the day the Senate Democrats didn't do much with Congestion Pricing. That was July.

Now he's entered the fray, but from the wrong door. He's apparently apologized to Senator Bruno for participating in an on-going conversation about whether to alert the IRS to Bruno's tax debts from private plane use. Smith says his staff was in on the talks, along with the Governor's staff.

This has Bruno furious, and saying the word "despicable" a lot.

The Spitzer administration says it's done nothing wrong.

Spoke with Assemblymember Susan John this morning (D-Rochester). She wanted me to remind people that October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

If you're interested in a free breast cancer screening, check this out (from the NYS Department of Health).

New York's statewide network of 54 community-based breast and cervical cancer screening projects, called Cancer Services Program Partnerships, are providing low-income, uninsured or under-insured women with annual comprehensive screening examinations and follow-up services. Each year, 60,000 women are screened through the program.

Visit this link to find out more...

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/cancer/center/partnerships.htm

WAMC just finished an incredible $800,000 funddrive in just over 5 days. I have to say I'm thrilled for my old alma mater. The people who listen to WAMC are PASSIONATE about it. And of course, my best friends work there. Mazel Tov.

That said, I want people who watch WMHT to be just as passionate about this station. It's a remarkable place -- in fact ANY place where the bottom line doesn't have the final word, is a remarkable, and *endangered* place. Non-profits NEED regular people like you and me.

FOR profits do not.

Although WMHT doesn't have the same esprit du corps that WAMC has, it does have a staff and membership that feel passionate about the work. Let me explain what I mean: