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The Monroe County Legislature passed a plan to provide inmates at the Monroe County Jail a limited number of free phone calls per week. Inmates will receive 75 minutes of calls at no cost. This came about after Legislator Barnhart asked the Sheriff’s Office to use revenue from past calls to offer free calls. The… Continue Reading Legislature Passes Jail Phone Call Plan

Monroe County would opt out of state law permitting sales of sparkling devices Broader effort needed to curb usage In advance of the summer season, Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart submitted legislation to ban the sale of sparkling devices.  “Not only do fireworks create a safety hazard, they diminish the quality of life for everyone,… Continue Reading Barnhart Submits Legislation to Ban Fireworks Sales

The press release below was issued by Monroe County. ROCHESTER, NY – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello announced today that he has issued an Emergency Order limiting the fees third-party delivery services may charge local restaurants. COVID-19 guidelines have placed restrictions and limits on indoor dining in restaurants throughout Monroe County, leaving many to rely on… Continue Reading Monroe County Executive Signs Emergency Order to Cap Third-Party Delivery Fees

Statement from Legislator Barnhart: Thank goodness I didn’t take a nap or go for a walk after work yesterday. At 5:03 p.m., legislators received notice that there would be a Zoom meeting at 5:15 p.m. to override the County Executive’s vetoes of budget amendments. I’m not surprised the Legislature Majority did not want anyone to know what… Continue Reading Barnhart Opposes Slush Fund

Statement from Legislator Barnhart: Sometimes, it’s important to ask. Sheriff Todd Baxter announced that the Monroe County Jail will offer all inmates two 15-minute phone calls and one 30-minute video call at no charge. This is a savings of $24 a month to inmates and their families. The compassionate move comes as Covid-19 spreads among inmates and staff. It also… Continue Reading Working to help Monroe County Jail inmates and their families stay connected

Without discussion or debate, Republicans on the Monroe County Legislature tabled legislation that would provide relief to struggling restaurants. The move happened during Monday’s Agenda Charter Committee meeting, on a day hundreds of restaurants learned their indoor dining rooms would close indefinitely. Legislator Rachel Barnhart introduced the measure to cap third-party food delivery service fees… Continue Reading On Dark Day for Restaurants, Republicans Turn Their Backs

Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart has introduced legislation to temporarily cap the commission fees charged to restaurants by third-party food delivery services, including GrubHub, DoorDash and UberEats. These fees can reach 30 percent or more of the purchase price. The pandemic has placed an enormous financial strain on restaurants. Delivery and takeout options are critical… Continue Reading Barnhart Introduces Legislation to Cap Food Delivery App Fees

Statement from County Legislator Rachel Barnhart: The Covid-19 crisis has exposed the need for high speed, affordable broadband. This is especially true for students who are learning remotely. That’s why I am excited to share some important news. As the school year began, Rochester City School District teachers and families complained that Mi-Fi devices, secured… Continue Reading Funding for RCSD student internet access announced

(September 15, 2020) – Rochester City Councilmember Mary Lupien (D, East District) and Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart (D, 21) are asking the Department of Justice for a civil rights investigation into how law enforcement has responded to protests over Daniel Prude. They have sent a letter to Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric Dreiband, who leads… Continue Reading Lupien, Barnhart ask for DOJ probe into Rochester protests