State Of The State

I just got back from the state capitol to meet and greet lawmakers ahead of the State of the State address. It's always an interesting time to visit. Protestors take this day as a day of action and mount up the forces to be there and be heard.

This year they situated the vendors in a way that changed exactly where protestors could be and therefore protestors were put on the other side of the hall- even farther away from where lawmakers walk. They weren't too happy about that- but I'm pretty confident the vendors were. Vendors had prime viewing space to show off their products- in the event a lawmaker was making way to the speech.

As like last year- hydrofracking opponents were the most vocal. They were chanting "hey hey ho ho hydrofrackings gotta go!" They also got creative with their posters and displays of opposition. I'm not sure how many opinions they have changed with this protest- you would hope at least they're being heard but lawmakers don't seem to make it a habit to come out and hang in this area.

Coming up tomorrow I'll tell you about an exciting opportunity I received when I got to spend the day with Season 11 Biggest Loser Winner Olivia Ward, her sister and fellow contestant Hannah Curlee and Olivia's husband Ben. It was so inspiring!

 

State of the State

Heading to the state capitol on State of the State address day is fun. I have been going there to represent Time Warner Cable and YNN for several years now. This appearance is an opportunity to introduce myself to all the new and returning lawmakers and a chance to represent the company on this important day where everyone is all in one building.

Right when you walk in- the first thing you see is a long line of tables with farmers displaying and selling their products. There are so many people in one place and at some tables the sales can be brisk. The bigger goal of this- is for farmers to let lawmakers know their concerns and to have their voices heard. It doesn't hurt that they get to sell all their delicious, fresh foods!

Time Warner sets up a set and allows freshman legislators and some longstanding lawmakers who come back year after year- the opportunity to come in and be interviewed. This year we had Brian Unger from the A&E show "How the States Got Their Shape" do the interviews. He was asking the lawmakers all kinds of questions.

When he wasn't chatting up lawmakers we had a chance to chat. I asked him if he's been to all of our states and he said no. It's expensive to travel to the only two states he hasn't been to- Alaska and Hawaii. It was fun to share with him my knowledge of those two states. I have vacationed in Hawaii and lived in Alaska for 9 years.

It's always inspiring to me to see democracy in action. Protesters always make their way out to the capitol to send their message about the topic they are passionate about. The last two years have proven to be exciting to watch the hydrofracking protesters.

For those of you who don't know Hydraulic Fracturing is the process of drilling deep down into the earth and releasing petroleum or natural gas. Some say it will bring millions of dollars in revenue to the cash strapped state (it has for others that do it) others say that it is a health concern (which people have claimed in those other states that do it).

It is controversial and opponents are very vocal. They wear costumes, gas masks, hold posters and chant chants. As fate would have it my phone died right after I got this one picture of the protesters.

Do they make a difference? I'm not so sure. They are in a very visible place- cordoned off right in the walkway- but the people walking by walk briskly and a lot of them avoid eye contact. No matter where you fall along the lines of the debate- you have to hope at least they are being heard.

This year the governor outlined his priorities- casino gambling, gun control and women's equality are among them. Today on the station in Albany we asked viewers if they were satisfied with the governor's address and a whopping 75% of people said yes, 25% said no. Will he be as successful this year? Time will tell.