Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) was in White Plains today along with several small business owners, calling on Congress to do more to protect small businesses from unfair and deceptive practices by credit card companies.

Irwin Katz, owner of Helicon Records Ltd, a small business in White Plains, says he recently saw the interest rate on his business credit card raised from 15-29% without advance notice and despite having made timely payments. 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey and Congressman Eliot Engel are calling on the House Energy and Commerce Committee to hold hearings on the licensing of what they are calling "High risk nuclear facilities" such as Indian Point, which are located in densely populated areas.  

Engel, a senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee said, "It is time for the NRC to realize that natural disasters and terrorism are all too real. Because of its location it is too inviting a target." He also expressed deep concerns that the plants are built along the Ramapo fault. 

Congresswoman Nita Lowey (D-Westchester/Rockland) today called on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to re-evaluate the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan for all possible threats including terrorism and natural disasters as well as safety and evacuation procedures in determining the re-licensing of the plants. Indian Point is currently awaiting approval for its two plants, whose licensing expires in 2013 and 2015. Their application is still under review and hearings for a 20 year license extension are not expected to begin until next year.

Lowey has penned a letter to NRC Chairman Gregory B. Jaczko which is attached verbatim below:

Dear Chairman Jaczko:

The tragedy in Japan and the threat of meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station shine a new light on the need for the heightened evaluation of nuclear power plants within high-population areas.  Following the Japan tragedy, it is imperative that the NRC evaluate all possible threats, including terrorism, natural disasters, and the challenges that must be met in developing safety standards and evacuation procedures while determining the re-licensing of the Indian Point Nuclear Facility in Buchanan, New York.

Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey was joined by Head Start providers in Mamaroneck to denounce the spending plan passed by House of Representatives Republicans that would result in 3,000 layoffs and 10,000 students being pushed out of the early childhood learning program. "As a mother and grandmother, I know that nothing is more important to a child's development and education than early childhood learning," said Lowey. "It's shocking to me that the Republican spending plan would push thousands of New York children out of this successful program." The spending plan passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2011 would result in 10,000 New York Children being pushed out of the program and the layoffs of some 3,000 educators and other Head Start Staff. Barbara Sommer, Senior Program Director for Family Services of Westchester called Head Start "A critically important program" for children and families in Westchester. "The children in our programs will eventually age into kindergarten and without the opportunity to learn and develop that Head Start provides, they will not be on a level playing field with their peers," said Sommer. The sentiment was echoed by the Executive Director of Head Start Rockland, Ouida Foster Dawson,"Any cuts to the Head Start programs would be devastating. Invest in children now! For every dollaer invested in a child early, you save $7-$9 later."

A couple of new email phishing scams are making the rounds, and Westchester Congresswoman Nita Lowey says they are costing unwitting people hundreds of thousands of dollars a year.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey announced today that the Yonkers Fire Department has been awarded a federal grant of $4,846,034 to re-hire 17 firefighters who had been laid off due to budget shortfalls.

Congresswoman Nita Lowey announced today that the White Plains Fire Bureau will receive a $1.9 million federal grant which can be used to re-hire firefighers who were laid off at the Bureau.

White Plains Public Safety Commissioner David Chong called it "Tremendous news for the City of White Plains and its outstanding Fire Bureau."

Due to budget cuts in the fiscally-strapped city, nine firefighters were recently let go. Lowey says the money will be used to restore their positions.

Said Lowey, "I am thrilled that the White Plains Fire Bureau will benefit from this federal grant, which will help ensure that we have the personnel necessary to keep our community safe. At a time of high unemployment, I am particularly pleased this federal investment will create jobs in our community."

The funding is part of the Department of Homeland Security's Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Program (SAFER), a funding initiative designed to strengthen the nation's ability to respond to fire and fire-related hazards and improve the nation's overall level of preparedness.