News

USAID Training Foreign Workers for English-Speaking Jobs

Apr
23
2012

While the president has been urging “insourcing,” the government has been sending money to the Philippines to train foreign workers for jobs in English-speaking call centers.

According to New York Democratic Rep. Tim Bishop and North Carolina Republican Rep. Walter Jones, this is unacceptable and “shocking.”

The pair are calling on the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to immediately suspend what is known as the Job Enabling English Proficiency (JEEP) program.

According to Jones’ office, in 2010, after the two men compelled USAID to end a similar training program in Sri Lanka, the agency assured the congressmen that they would “conduct a review to ensure the project will not take any jobs away from Americans.”

In a letter...| read more ››

U.S. Suspends Controversial Outsourcing Training Program

Apr
23
2012

Funding stopped for USAID program that trained students in the Philippines to work in offshore, English language call centers serving U.S. companies.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has suspended funding for a program under which Filipino nationals were trained to work in offshore, English language call centers that serve U.S. companies. The program, first reported by InformationWeek, drew heavy criticism from lawmakers who said it posed a threat to American call center workers.

"In response to the concerns you have raised, the Agency is suspending its participation in the English language training project in Mindanao pending further review of the facts," said USAID deputy assistant administrator Barbara Feinstein, in a letter Monday to Congressman Tim Bishop (D-N.Y.). "Furthermore, the...| read more ››

Delayed Response in Moldy Money Swap is Water Under the Bridge

Apr
18
2012

An elderly couple recently had the opportunity to reclaim part of their life savings after a leak in their basement, where the cash was kept in a strong box, left tens of thousands of dollars moldy.

"It was kind of — it looked like it was dirty," said Donna DeSantis, the daughter of the Ridge couple who kept $37,000 locked up in their basement. She said the box was flooded when her parents' water meter broke. "The cashbox got wet, but no one ever thought anything would happen."

DeSantis said she and her parents, who wished to remain anonymous, took the money to several banks to exchange it but were turned away. Eventually, DeSantis and her family traveled to Washington,...| read more ››

Bellone budget cuts capital projects 21%

Apr
17
2012

Spending for construction and other capital projects would decline by 21 percent next year under a budget proposed Tuesday by County Executive Steve Bellone.

Unveiling his three-year capital program, Bellone said roads and bridges still would be rehabbed and public safety vehicles replaced, but that the county's fiscal crisis requires a "leaner" plan than lawmakers have approved in recent years.| read more ››

Communities campaign against plastic bags

Apr
12
2012

The next time you are in Huntington, Northport Village or Port Jefferson, officials want you to B.Y.O.B.

As in: bring your own bag.

The Citizens Campaign for the Environment on Thursday kicked off a campaign in the three communities to help protect local waters by encouraging business owners and shoppers to rely on reusable bags and drop the plastic bag habit.

"A reusable bag is sustainable, it's clean, it makes sense and it's easy," said Adrienne Esposito, the group's executive director.

Esposito said the group picked the three communities because of their proximity to Long Island Sound.

Citizens campaign, with 80,000 members and offices in New York and Connecticut, will recruit businesses to put up signs encouraging sustainable bag use...| read more ››

Suffolk County Majority Leader DuWayne Gregory: "Compassionate Efficiency"

DuWayne Gregory - Suffolk County Legislative Majority Leader - Legislator 15th District
Apr
12
2012

As you know by now, County finances are in a very difficult way. Sadly, this is the fate many local governments have experienced in the wake on the Great Recession and slow recovery. While each municipality’s circumstances differ slightly, the precipitants of our collective dilemmas is very similar. An increase in demand in services—from those still affected the most by the recession—and the ever increasing cost of providing those (and all) services. While both those reasons are not caused by the County, we nonetheless must find a way to mitigate them.| read more ››

Bellone Says ‘Fire Largely Contained’

County Executive Bellone and Gov. Cuomo discuss the brush fires with the media
Apr
10
2012

County Executive Steve Bellone announced Tuesday afternoon that the brush fires in Suffolk have been largely contained. Both Bellone and Governor Andrew Cuomo thanked firefighters for their efforts in battling the blaze, which they said could have been “a lot worse.” The Governor also declared a state of emergency for Suffolk County in order to put it in a position to receive financial assistance.| read more ››

Bishop Statement on 25th Consecutive Month of Private Sector Job Growth, 120,000 Jobs Added in March.

Apr
6
2012

The addition of 120,000 jobs to America's economy in March marks the twenty-fifth straight month of increased private sector employment despite the unwillingness of House Republicans to work across the aisle on a Transportation Bill and other substantive efforts to encourage economic growth, Congressman Tim Bishop said today.

The national jobs number follows a recent report from the NY State Labor Department that Long Island’s private sector added 20,800 jobs in February compared with February 2011, the strongest monthly job increase since 2007. The strongest growth occurred in the professional and business-services category, which gained 9,800 jobs in February. The biggest decline came in the construction sector, which shed 1,600 jobs.

Last month, Bishop introduced the MAP-21 transportation plan, which...| read more ››