“Makau, Gary and Sam are consummate professionals whose years of expertise as leaders in the academia, business and public service sectors will help us create jobs and grow the local economy,” said Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Kenneth Adams. “I look forward to putting their extensive credentials to work for the people of Western New York as key members of our economic development team.” Makau Mutua said, “The work that ECHDC has done is changing perceptions about Buffalo, and I look forward to building on the progress that has already been achieved. I hope to collaborate with the board and staff to develop a waterfront that will offer something for all of the citizens of our community. I thank Governor Cuomo for this opportunity.” Gary L. Ginsberg said, “I am grateful for this appointment and honored that Governor Cuomo has asked me to be part of this team. As a native son, I have long believed that Buffalo’s future is tied to its waterfront, and I am excited to use my private sector experience in marketing and communications to assist ECHDC with their efforts to transform Western New York’s greatest asset.” Sam Hoyt said, “ECHDC has reached a tipping point with seven active construction projects, unprecedented visitors to Canalside and public involvement at every step. In recent years we have laid the groundwork that has made Canalside a destination for the public. Now the private sector is expressing genuine interest in investing on the waterfront. ECHDC has pursued a course that is consistent with Governor Cuomo’s public/private model of economic development and job creation.” Mr. Mutua is a SUNY Distinguished Professor and the Floyd H. & Hilda L. Hurst Faculty Scholar. In addition to his duties as Dean, he teaches international human rights, international business transactions and international law and has conducted numerous human rights, diplomatic and rule of law missions to countries in Africa, Latin America and Europe. He serves as the Chairman of the Kenya Human Rights Commission and was a delegate to the Kenyan National Constitutional Conference. A frequent commentator on politics, human rights, law and current affairs in the print and electronic media, he was educated at the University of Nairobi, the University of Dar-es-Salaam and at Harvard Law School, where he obtained a Doctorate of Juridical Science in 1987. He has authored human rights reports for the United Nations and is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Gary L. Ginsberg is the Executive Vice President of Corporate Marketing and Communications at Time Warner Inc. Before joining Time Warner, Mr. Ginsberg was the Executive Vice President of Global Marketing and Corporate Affairs at News Corporation where he coordinated and executed the Company’s global marketing and investor relations programs, as well as its corporate affairs, strategic communications and philanthropic efforts. Previously, he was a senior editor and counsel at George, the monthly political magazine, and a former Assistant Counsel to President Clinton. He is a graduate of the Columbia University School of Law and received his undergraduate degree magna cum laude from Brown University. Mr. Ginsberg is a member of the Board of Directors of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation; the Newseum, the national news museum; New Visions for Public Schools; and New York Cares. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Sam Hoyt oversees efforts to recruit new business, as well as support existing business, for the western region of New York State. Prior to joining Empire State Development, Mr. Hoyt served for almost 20 years as the Assembly representative for the 144th Assembly District located in Western New York. Mr. Hoyt’s career in public service is marked by a commitment to community-centric change centering on four guiding goals: making state and local governments more efficient and accountable to taxpayers, revitalizing neighborhoods, increasing economic opportunity and developing waterfront. He currently serves as Chair of the Buffalo and Fort Erie Peace Bridge Authority. “During the past several months, ECHDC has reached critical mass in terms of public engagement and real construction,” said ECHDC President Thomas P. Dee. “Our new board members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve our community well. I look forward to working with them on the revitalization of Western New York’s waterfront.” Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation is a subsidiary agency of Empire State Development Corporation whose vision is to revitalize Western New York’s waterfront and restore economic growth to Buffalo based on the region’s legacy of pride, urban significance and natural beauty.]]>
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‘Nightmare scenario’: Analysis warns Supreme Court may ‘clear path’ for one-party rule
A Democratic voting rights group was "sounding the alarm" Wednesday, warning of a "nightmare scenario" wherein the U.S. Supreme Court could "clear the path for a one-party system" and give Republicans control of Congress.
The high court is slated to rehear Louisiana v. Callais on Oct. 15, and in a new Politico report, Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund signal that removing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act could give Republicans a path to redraw up to 19 House seats to benefit their party.
The Voting Rights Act — the landmark Civil Rights-era legislation — has been targeted by Republicans, aiming to remove this particular section, Politico reports.
The move would "clear the path for a one-party system where power serves the powerful and silences the people,” Black Voters Matter Fund co-founder LaTosha Brown said in a statement.
The ruling could also ultimately remove 30% of Congressional Black Caucus seats and 11% of Congressional Hispanic Caucus seats, according to Salon.
This could leave limited options for Democrats.
"Democrats could also find ways to use any changes to the VRA to their benefit. The party could redraw maps in heavily-blue areas with VRA protections to try and expand their margins, but there will be fewer opportunities," Politico reports.
The law has been used to offer protections against racial gerrymandering in redistricting, a topic that's become a key move ahead of midterm elections amid President Donald Trump's push to maintain GOP control in Congress, putting pressure on Republicans to redraw district lines and saying "there could very well be consequences" if they don't take action.
