By flickr user sm3287
ISSUES
Keystone XL failed in the Senate yesterday. But Mitch McConnell says his new Republican majority will promptly pass it next year. Associated Press
–Our Senators Gillibrand and Schumer voted against KXL. Share this image on Facebook to thank them.
–Want more on KXL? Here’s the NYT’s primer: New York Times
With opposition to Keystone XL fading, TransCanada Corp. is pushing for alternatives. They’ve hired Edelman, the world’s largest PR firm, to help them push for Energy East – a pipeline that would go across Canada to it’s East coast, also a controversial idea. There’s a West coast version too. Mother Jones
Groups and elected leaders rallied for rent affordability yesterday. “… Alliance for Tenant Power, said 2.5 million people live in rent regulated housing in New York City and that while rent is rising, affordability is shrinking…” CBS New York + Daily News
Suspensions in Rochester need reform. Previewed yesterday, a new report shows Rochester students of color are being suspended as massively disproportionate rates and for nonviolent actions. More than 100 people attended the press conference yesterday afternoon. You can read the report here: Rochester City News
We want a minimum wage increase, regardless of what Skelos says. “Minimum wage workers can’t afford to put food on table,” Scharff said. “There’s really no excuse for the Senate Republicans to keep blocking a raise in the minimum wage.” NPR
For oil train safety, call for rail bridge inspections. With increased oil train traffic, Riverkeeper is calling for all of New York’s railroad bridges to be inspected. Democrat & Chronicle
What would the TPP really mean? This Politico Magazine piece includes the perspectives of a number of leaders, including Sierra Club’s Michael Brune arguing that TPP would result in “a (bigger) fracking boom.” Politico
OTHER NEWS
Massive evictions on tap for Detroit. 142,000 Detroit residents could be evicted due to three consecutive years of unpaid property taxes. The homes will be auctioned with starting prices of a few hundred dollars. The Atlantic
Make Election Day a holiday. “The nation’s most populous states, all of which had full federal and state ballots, saw dismal turnout: 28.5 percent in Texas, 28.8 percent in New York, 31.8 percent in California… In contrast, elections in Germany regularly see turnout in excess of 70 percent, in Scandinavia above 80 percent, in Belgium above 90 percent.” The Nation
Schneiderman gets $500K settlement from developer. “In the Brooklyn case, 150 Fourth Avenue LLC was able to save $322,000 in taxes by agreeing in 2011 to pay building workers like doormen and porters prevailing wages. Schneiderman says workers got no benefits and about half the pay they were supposed to get.” Daily News
SNOW near Buffalo! Stay safe, Western New York friends. Associated Press
De Blasio has raised $10M for covention bid. “The mayor has committed to raising $100 million over the next two years from private donations as he attempts to convince the Democratic National Committee to hold the convention at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn.” Capital New York
Republicans are looking for ways to block Obama on immigration, other than a government shutdown. New York Times
Arrests in Rochester suburbs are disproportionately higher for Black people. Democrat & Chronicle
ELECTIONS
A close look at Cuomo’s election numbers. He beat Astorino by 13%, but by a number of other measures, didn’t do very well. Capital New York
OPINION PAGES
New York Times Op-Ed by Lori Tharps – The case for capitalizing Black.
Buffalo News Op-Ed by Steve Levy – Stores should be closed on Thanksgiving so workers can spend time with their families.
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