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With residents of New
York’s 20th Congressional lacking a representative in
Washington, the district may be losing out on federal aid supplied
by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.
Although politicians
in Albany are largely responsible for distributing the stimulus
monies, members of Congress play a critical role in lobbying for
funds in their districts. House members help bring in funds for
energy, agriculture and economic development.
Rural Coalition
executive director Lorette Picciano says representatives in
Washington are the critical link between policy making and the
federal government.
“You do want to have
a representative there,” she said. “It’s a tough time for rural
communities and you do need that leadership.”
Members of Congress
are generally the first line of contact with the federal government
for communities like those located in the 20th
Congressional. Picciano says there is an unprecedented amount of
money in the stimulus bill set aside for rural areas.
“Sometimes, members
of Congress can help with networking and other kinds of things as
the communities look at what their needs are for that money,”
Picciano said.
The latest numbers
from March 31’s special election show Scott Murphy with a slight
35-vote edge over Jim Tedisco. Two counties have yet to report, and
the state Board of Elections only has partial votes for several
other counties.
Only on of U.S.
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand’s New York offices is operating right
now. The Saratoga Springs office has received a few calls since the
election, but is mostly empty.
-Chris Morris and AP,
4-13-09 |