(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

Nearly six months after a Black man experiencing a mental health crisis was asphyxiated while in police custody, the public has learned of his death. Daniel Prude stopped breathing on the cold, wet pavement as he was naked and restrained by officers laughing at him. Mr. Prude’s humanity did not matter to those entrusted with… Continue Reading Statement on Daniel Prude

Dear Neighbor, I hope these challenging times find you in good health and spirits.  If you need assistance with food, housing, childcare or mental health, please call 211 or visit Monroe County’s COVID resource page. I am always available to answer your questions by phone or text at 585-210-3246. You can also send an email… Continue Reading Summer Newsletter

Public can submit comments to FCC until July 22   Stop the Cap!, a consumer advocacy group, and Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart are urging the FCC to reject Charter Communication’s petition to allow data caps on Spectrum’s broadband customers. Charter wants to be released two years early from conditions imposed by the FCC as part… Continue Reading Stop the Cap! and County Legislator Rachel Barnhart Urge FCC to Reject Charter Petition to Allow Data Caps

Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart is calling for a comprehensive plan to deal with the problem of illegal use of fireworks in our neighborhoods.  It is imperative that we address this situation as we approach the July 4 holiday. Over the weekend, media reports indicate a city resident suffered a serious hand injury. Last summer,… Continue Reading Barnhart Calls for Fireworks Plan

County Executive Adam Bello did the right thing in vetoing these unnecessary patronage jobs. My colleagues in the legislature acted irresponsibly when they approved these positions, as the county is facing a massive budget deficit and uncertainty in the months ahead. When the elections commissioners were pressed about why these positions were needed, they revealed… Continue Reading Barnhart Praises Bello’s Veto of Patronage Jobs

Legislator Barnhart issued the following statement on radio show host Kimberly and Beck’s on-air comments: Our country is experiencing a painful reckoning on racism, inequality and oppression. The comments we heard on the Kimberly and Beck show demonstrate why. For too long, iHeartRadio has allowed hate on its Rochester stations. We should be able to talk… Continue Reading On Kimberly and Beck’s Racist Comments

Legislator Barnhart issued the following statement: Judge Ark clearly wants to see Democratic committee members choose our next Board of Elections Commissioner. His directive to allow an election to proceed was a victory for democracy, for the party and for voters. We cannot allow a backroom deal to choose a position of such importance and… Continue Reading Barnhart Statement on Judge’s BOE Decision

If you live in the 21st Legislative District, you might have received a letter about me in the mail. The source did not include a last name or return address. It’s hard to know what to do when things like this happen. Do you respond to set the record straight and risk drawing even more… Continue Reading Barnhart Response to Anonymous Letter

As the COVID-19 crisis deepens at nursing homes, Monroe County Legislator Rachel Barnhart is asking the county to explore doing the following: Disclose the number of COVID-19 cases and fatalities among residents and staff at all nursing home facilities Create a testing program for all residents and staff at nursing homes Encourage nursing home staff… Continue Reading Barnhart Asks for Nursing Home Disclosure, Testing and Staffing Support