First hour: How Rochester is assisting with recovery efforts in Puerto Rico
Second hour: Philanthropist Tom Golisano on the property tax assessment system
Six weeks after Hurricane Maria ravaged Puerto Rico, 70 percent of the island is still without power. When Governor Andrew Cuomo visited last week, he was critical of the federal response to the crisis, calling the situation deplorable and “wholly, wholly unacceptable.” Cuomo isn’t the only leader reacting this way. United Nations experts called the United States’ response to the storm ineffective and lagging far behind the support provided for states affected by hurricanes on the mainland. In Rochester, community members are uniting to help with recovery efforts, both for people on the island and those moving from Puerto Rico to Rochester. We’ll talk about current conditions on the island, the response in New York, and we’ll tell you how you can help assist hurricane victims. Our guests:
- Hilda Rosario Escher, president of the Ibero American Action League
- Patricia Cruz-Irving, director of development and communications, Ibero American Action League
- Annette Ramos, founder and executive director, Rochester Latino Theatre Company
- Irene Sánchez, founder and president of PR Unidos en la Distancia (United in the Distance)
- Jeremias Maneiro, vice-president of PR Unidos en la Distancia (United in the Distance)
Then in our second hour, Paychex founder and local philanthropist Tom Golisano is calling for changes to the property tax assessment system. This comes after he challenged the assessment of one of his properties on Canandaigua Lake last month. He’s hoping to organize a more formal effort to change the system to help other property owners. He joins us in studio to discuss his concerns.
