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News from BALCONY

New York State Labor Chief Is Confirmed to Federal Post

February 5th, 2010
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By Steven Greenhouse

The Senate voted 60 to 37 on Thursday to confirm M. Patricia Smith, the New York State labor commissioner, for the Labor Department’s No. 3 post.

Gov. Paterson authorizes $6M loan to cash-strapped St. Vincent's Hospital

February 2nd, 2010


By Kenneth Lovett
DAILY NEWS ALBANY BUREAU CHIEF

ALBANY - Gov. Paterson has authorized a $6 million loan to St. Vincent's Hospital to help the cash-strapped hospital make payroll, the Daily News has learned.

  

"This is a dire situation, but I don't want to see this hospital close unless every available means has been employed," he said.

BALCONY URGES NEW YORK STATE TO SAVE ST. VINCENT’S HOSPITAL

January 27th, 2010
For release Thursday January 28, 2010

“The possible closure of St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village will tear a huge hole in New York’s Health Care Safety Net,” charged BALCONY Director Lou Gordon as the Business and Labor Coalition of New York urged the New York State Department of Health to provide immediate assistance to maintain the hospital.

Statements on the proposed NYS budget

January 21st, 2010


State Budget: Governor’s proposal would hurt kids, taxpayers NYSUT Media Relations

January 19, 2010 ALBANY, N.Y. January 19, 2010 – New York State United Teachers today said massive cuts proposed for education would force schools to cut teachers and programs, jeopardizing student progress while stalling the state’s ability to create jobs and revitalize the economy.




Statement of CSEA President Danny Donohue on Gov. David Paterson’s proposed state budget.

“Gov. David Paterson’s unwillingness to address the misuse of $62 million in taxpayer money on temporary state workers should be evidence that there are still better budget choices to be made. Hiring and shortchanging temporary workers in dozens of state agencies for years on end is a misguided priority and a violation of the law..."




New York State Nurses Association statement: Executive Budget relating to health care LATHAM, NY – Jan. 19, 2010

The New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) warns that the Governor’s proposed $1 billion in healthcare provider cuts is a number so large that its impact on facilities will be devastating.


Albany - The governor’s proposed 2010-11 budget calls for a quarter of a billion dollars in negotiated give-backs from state employees, when the savings could easily be achieved by reducing the state’s reliance on costly private consultants, instead.

"HOT CRIPPLE" BY HOGAN GORMAN SET FOR FEBRUARY

January 21st, 2010
Hot Cripple I am doing my one woman show "Hot Cripple" again in February... It seems like the perfect time, considering the recent debate over health care in this country... For tickets and information go to http://hotcripple.com .

Tickets are only available online.

Here's what the critics and others say about the show...

Paterson Seeks Huge Cuts and $1 Billion in Taxes and Fees

January 20th, 2010
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By DANNY HAKIM and NICHOLAS CONFESSORE



ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson proposed on Tuesday what would be the largest cut to school aid in more than two decades and nearly $1 billion in new or increased taxes and fees as he unveiled his budget, a plan that is likely to be the first chapter in a prolonged battle with the Legislature.

Searching for new sources of tax revenue amid a fiscal crisis, the governor proposed legalizing mixed martial arts, allowing the sale of wine in grocery stores, taxing bottled soft drinks, taxing cigarette sales on Indian reservations and deploying speed-enforcement cameras in highway work zones.

BALCONY MAKES A DIFFERENCE

January 18th, 2010



Labor working together as we confront the challenges of our turbulent times. BALCONY provides New Yorkers with a framework for collaborative solutions to the challenges of a fair budget, affordable health care, infrastructure investment, education equity, small business growth, and job creation.

Since 2007 under the leadership of Co-Chairs Alan Lubin and Bruce Ventimiglia BALCONY has grown to be a coalition representing more than 1000 prominent businesses, trade associations, labor unions, non profits, and chambers of commerce throughout New York.

Click here for details: BALCONY MAKES A DIFFERENCE.

State of the State 2010

January 8th, 2010
State of the State Address 2010
David A. Paterson, Governor


Click here to view the presentation by Gov. Paterson.


A Time to Rebuild



Read the Full Text of the speech.


News from BALCONY Archives
News from our Members

Paterson Gives St. Vincent’s Hospital Another Loan

February 8th, 2010
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By Anemona Hartocollis

Gov. David A. Paterson provided the second cash infusion in a week Sunday to St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan in Greenwich Village, but said concessions from unions and physicians would be needed to keep the hospital open.

Hospital Network Withdraws Proposal to Take Over St. Vincent’s

February 5th, 2010
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By Anemona Hartocollis

A large hospital network that had offered to take over the nearly bankrupt St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan in Greenwich Village has formally withdrawn its offer, further clouding the hospital’s prospects for survival.

The Decline of St. Vincent’s Hospital

February 5th, 2010
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By Anemona Hartocollis

For more than 150 years, St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan has been a beacon in Greenwich Village, serving poets, writers, artists, winos, the poor and the working-class, and gay people.

St. Vincent’s Gets Loans for a Four-Week Reprieve

February 5th, 2010
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By Anemona Hartocollis

The financially ailing St. Vincent’s Hospital Manhattan in Greenwich Village got a month’s reprieve on Wednesday, as Gov. David A. Paterson met with hospital officials, elected officials and others to try to keep the hospital from closing.

Offer to Take Over Ailing Hospital Stirs Outcry

January 27th, 2010
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By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS

One of New York City’s largest hospital systems has made an offer to take over the financially struggling St. Vincent’s Hospital in Greenwich Village, provoking opposition from elected officials who fear the loss of critical medical services, especially emergency care, for tens of thousands of patients who could be sent elsewhere.
News from our Members Archives
BALCONY Issues in the News

St. Vincent’s RNs to protest acquisition by Beth Israel & Continuum Health Nurses will protest outside the hospital on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 11 a.m.

January 26th, 2010


NEW YORK, Jan. 26, 2010 – The 800 registered nurses who work at St. Vincent’s Catholic Medical Center in Greenwich Village fervently oppose the proposed takeover of the 727-bed facility by Beth Israel Medical Center and its parent Corporation, Continuum Health Partners. Within 60 to 90 days of the takeover, all acute care, surgical units, and emergency services would be shut down.

Don't Close St. Vincent's Emergency Room and Trauma Center

January 26th, 2010
Statement by NYS Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard N. Gottfried

"After 9/11, St. Vincent's was the primary admitting hospital for the injured survivors," said Assembly Health Committee chair Richard N. Gottfried. Read more...

Most U.S. Union Members Are Working for the Government, New Data Shows

January 24th, 2010
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by Steven Greeenhouse

For the first time in American history, a majority of union members are government workers rather than private-sector employees, the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced on Friday.

Voting 45-1, Council Rejects $310 Million Plan for Mall at Bronx Armory

December 15th, 2009
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by Sam Dolnick

Bronx advocates said that the City Council vote on Monday to reject a $310 million project to build a mall inside the Kingsbridge Armory provided an opportunity to come up with a more community-oriented plan for the massive red-brick castle.

Paterson Trims Aid to Schools and Localities

December 14th, 2009
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by Kareem Fahim

Gov. David A. Paterson announced on Sunday that he would unilaterally withhold $750 million in scheduled payments to schools and local governments, saying that strong action was necessary to protect New York State from insolvency.
BALCONY Issues in the News Archives