Rachel Barnhart
@rachbarnhart.com
Former journalist. Current Monroe County Legislator. Posts are personal views unless noted as official. Not allowed: threats, defamation, obscenity, harassment or spam. Rochester, N.Y.
Thank you, Reconnect Rochester, for raising important safety and accountability concerns.
Advocates call for a cautious approach to autonomous vehicles in New York
In her budget proposal for the next fiscal year, Gov. Kathy Hochul included language that would clear the way for autonomous vehicles outside of New York City.
www.wxxinews.org
February 11, 2026 at 4:38 AM
Thank you, Reconnect Rochester, for raising important safety and accountability concerns.
If I wasn’t out with a friend visiting from NYC who demanded artichokes French, which he can’t get there, I would be writing a Substack: Why I was the Only Legislator to Vote No on Stadium Naming Rights.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
February 11, 2026 at 1:46 AM
If I wasn’t out with a friend visiting from NYC who demanded artichokes French, which he can’t get there, I would be writing a Substack: Why I was the Only Legislator to Vote No on Stadium Naming Rights.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
I think you’ll understand why. Early tomorrow morning.
The legislature is actually not voting on any deal that specifies terms with ESL. We are voting to trust the County Executive to do the deal they say they'll do. (I have more questions ... stay tuned.)
February 10, 2026 at 6:34 PM
The legislature is actually not voting on any deal that specifies terms with ESL. We are voting to trust the County Executive to do the deal they say they'll do. (I have more questions ... stay tuned.)
I tentatively agree.
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
February 10, 2026 at 6:10 PM
I tentatively agree.
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
The deal sounds a little too good. I have less than a day to review legislation for a potentially 30-year deal.
rbj.net/2026/02/10/e...
I really appreciate President Melendez's focus on homelessness. I am not sure what new was added with the report, especially without social services involved.
Peace Village was supposed to be better. Three years later, it's in snow-covered storage
Completing the project is the top recommendation of an extensive report on homelessness released Monday by City Council President Miguel Meléndez.
www.wxxinews.org
February 10, 2026 at 3:43 PM
I really appreciate President Melendez's focus on homelessness. I am not sure what new was added with the report, especially without social services involved.
Slate of Dems endorsed by party.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
February 9, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Slate of Dems endorsed by party.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Barz is Bello's spokesperson and attack dog, frequently misleading press & public.
Not sure what choice Irondequoit residents will have here, but he won't be any kind of independent rep.
Why wasn't Baxter included?
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
www.rochesterfirst.com
February 9, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Why wasn't Baxter included?
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Also, Hochul's proposal is like the bare minimum and wouldn't impact much in Monroe County.
Legislators were just invited to the 10 a.m. presser.
PR > good governance
PR > good governance
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Legislators were just invited to the 10 a.m. presser.
PR > good governance
PR > good governance
Reposted by Rachel Barnhart
Over the past three weeks, the "nightmare scenario" for November's midterms has grown more plausible www.vox.com/politics/478...
February 9, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Over the past three weeks, the "nightmare scenario" for November's midterms has grown more plausible www.vox.com/politics/478...
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Good news: The Red Wings have reached a long term deal for naming rights of the county-owned stadium.
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
Bad news: The legislature votes tomorrow on the contract, which we're not going to see until after the press conference announcing the sponsor. 1/
They’re putting menstruating women in diapers.
Former ICE Facility Worker 'saw people laying in feces' at Baltimore Detention Center
Whistleblower provides internal documents alleging severe overcrowding, mistreatment months before viral video sparked national outrage
www.wusa9.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:04 PM
They’re putting menstruating women in diapers.
“Moms told me that their kids had lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping on the facility’s hard metal bunk beds in rooms shared by at least a dozen other people, and were constantly sick.”
NEW: ProPublica went inside the detention center for immigrant families in Dilley, Texas.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of what comes next.
The Kids Trump Sent to ICE’s Dilley Detention Center
ProPublica went inside the immigrant detention center for families in Dilley, Texas. Children held there told us about the anguish of being ripped from their lives in the United States and the fear of...
www.propublica.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:44 PM
“Moms told me that their kids had lost their appetites after finding worms and mold on their food, had trouble sleeping on the facility’s hard metal bunk beds in rooms shared by at least a dozen other people, and were constantly sick.”
One project had 12 different sources of funding. Affordable housing is really complicated to build right now.
Rochester leads upstate NY in affordable housing construction. Yet the need persists
What does it say about the larger effort of solving the housing crisis if a community with such capacity to address the problem still struggles?
www.wxxinews.org
February 9, 2026 at 12:30 PM
One project had 12 different sources of funding. Affordable housing is really complicated to build right now.
Bad Bunny’s show was beautiful. What a gorgeous tribute to Puerto Rico.
It can’t be lost on anyone that the performers are the ones being brutalized while forced to prove they belong here.
It can’t be lost on anyone that the performers are the ones being brutalized while forced to prove they belong here.
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
Bad Bunny’s show was beautiful. What a gorgeous tribute to Puerto Rico.
It can’t be lost on anyone that the performers are the ones being brutalized while forced to prove they belong here.
It can’t be lost on anyone that the performers are the ones being brutalized while forced to prove they belong here.
Prudy is enjoying the Puppy Bowl
February 8, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Prudy is enjoying the Puppy Bowl
Great idea ⛷️
Bring the Winter Olympics back to New York, state lawmaker says
The plan would split the Winter Games between Lake Placid in the Adirondacks and New York City.
www.wxxinews.org
February 8, 2026 at 2:22 PM
Great idea ⛷️
Rochester guy
U.S. Olympian Chris Lillis: "I feel heartbroken about what's happened in the United States when it comes to ICE and the protests…As a country we need to focus on respecting everybody's rights and making sure we're treating our citizens as well as anybody with love and respect."
February 8, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Rochester guy
Also in this post, I spill the tea on how the Bello administration was represented at the Conservative Party dinner.
The same day he puts out a statement condemning Trump's racism, his crew shows up to support a Trump-loving party.
The same day he puts out a statement condemning Trump's racism, his crew shows up to support a Trump-loving party.
We’re Paying Nursing Homes to Take Patients
This was never clearly presented as such to the public and legislature.
rachbarnhart.substack.com
February 7, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Also in this post, I spill the tea on how the Bello administration was represented at the Conservative Party dinner.
The same day he puts out a statement condemning Trump's racism, his crew shows up to support a Trump-loving party.
The same day he puts out a statement condemning Trump's racism, his crew shows up to support a Trump-loving party.
The Monroe County Legislature has approved millions for the Complex Care program. Until recently, the county has not described the program in clear terms.
We are paying nursing homes to take patients with complex needs.
1/
We are paying nursing homes to take patients with complex needs.
1/
February 7, 2026 at 6:10 PM
The Monroe County Legislature has approved millions for the Complex Care program. Until recently, the county has not described the program in clear terms.
We are paying nursing homes to take patients with complex needs.
1/
We are paying nursing homes to take patients with complex needs.
1/
My god, Bruce Blakeman is the speaker.
Bello admin solidly rep’d.
Bello admin solidly rep’d.
No Democrat should be at the Conservative Party dinner.
None.
Shame on all of you.
None.
Shame on all of you.
February 7, 2026 at 12:25 AM
My god, Bruce Blakeman is the speaker.
Bello admin solidly rep’d.
Bello admin solidly rep’d.
No Democrat should be at the Conservative Party dinner.
None.
Shame on all of you.
None.
Shame on all of you.
February 6, 2026 at 11:45 PM
No Democrat should be at the Conservative Party dinner.
None.
Shame on all of you.
None.
Shame on all of you.
Of note - the ads against the second-place candidate focused on his past support for ICE funding.
Steve Kornacki: Democratic primary season kicks off with an anti-establishment earthquake
New Jersey’s special House primary is too close to call, but the results still sent a message about what forces are rising and falling in the Democratic Party.
www.nbcnews.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:36 PM
Of note - the ads against the second-place candidate focused on his past support for ICE funding.
I hope this recruitment effort is successful. This facility needs a permanent veterinarian. They need pay what they need to pay for these animals.
Rochester's struggle to find a veterinarian prompts $30,000 recruitment effort
After three years, the city has still not received a single viable applicant to be its shelter veterinarian.
www.wxxinews.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:28 PM
I hope this recruitment effort is successful. This facility needs a permanent veterinarian. They need pay what they need to pay for these animals.
I think it's weird not one reporter has gotten Sheriff Baxter on the record yet about ICE.
He's an elected official.
Hold him accountable.
Do his views line up with the general public?
He's an elected official.
Hold him accountable.
Do his views line up with the general public?
February 6, 2026 at 1:25 PM
I think it's weird not one reporter has gotten Sheriff Baxter on the record yet about ICE.
He's an elected official.
Hold him accountable.
Do his views line up with the general public?
He's an elected official.
Hold him accountable.
Do his views line up with the general public?