Read WXXI’s coverage of the Task Force. Read Minority Reporter’s coverage of the Task Force. Read Rachel’s Master Degree project on Bridging the Digital Divide in Rochester. Rochester, NY – Monroe County Executive Adam Bello is pleased to announce the creation of the Monroe County Advisory Task Force on Broadband. The Task Force will include… Continue Reading County Executive Bello Announces the Creation of Monroe County Advisory Task Force

Legislator Rachel Barnhart issued this statement in response to the closure of the Carlson Metro Center YMCA: “YMCA’s have closed urban locations across the country in recent years. What makes this particularly painful is that the YMCA chose to invest in the most affluent suburbs instead of the city, where its services are needed the… Continue Reading Statement on Closing of Downtown Y

Statement from Legislator Rachel Barnhart: “I am honored to receive the endorsement of the Working Families Party for my re-election to the Monroe County Legislature. The Working Families Party fights for social justice and a New York that works for the many, not the few. As a Working Families candidate, I want you to know… Continue Reading Barnhart Endorsed by Working Families Party

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