January 5, 2010

 

     United States Senator Chuck Schumer is speaking up about some hot topics affecting people locally and nationwide.
     Tuesday, while at Corning Incorporated's Erwin Ceramics Plant in Painted Post to discuss funding for a diesel emissions reduction program, Schumer talked with WENY-TV News about a number of other things.
     One of the hottest issues - health care.

     He also had some new information on local high-speed rail service.
     He says there is a lot of work to be done with both.
     “It’s going to be a tough job like the rest of the whole bill,” Schumer explained when asked about getting Congress to agree on a health care reform bill.
     While the Senate relies on cost cutting and the House plans to raise taxes to offset the new reform expenses, Schumer says the two sides have a lot of negotiating to do.
     He says the fundamental problem is health care costs are going through the roof and something needs to be done.
     “The focus of the Senate bill, which I prefer, is getting those costs down so Medicare will last a much, much longer time, and so people with private insurance are allowed to keep it,” he said. “That's the imperative thing that I think will bring us to get a bill.”
     And from health care to transportation.
     Senator Schumer says upstate New York has submitted an application to bring high-speed railroad service to the region.
     “We're perfectly made for high-speed rail since we have a lot of population in centers that may be too close to fly to,” he said. “You wouldn't get on a plane from Corning/Elmira and go to Rochester, by high-speed rail would be perfect.”
     We’ll know more about the possibility of a high-speed rail after February when applications are due.
     Senator Schumer also talked about the upcoming jobs package.
     He says it’s like a smaller stimulus bill focused on clean energy.
     The bill will be up for a vote in February.