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OPINION: Inflation still running hot, real incomes down
Congressional Democrats run out of time Inflation continued to run hot into September, with consumer inflation still up 8.2 percent annualized and producer inflation at 8.5 percent annualized, according to the latest data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The post-COVID supply crunch is continuing, and the economy overheats, now with demand on the downturn as […]
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Congressional Democrats run out of time
Inflation continued to run hot into September, with consumer inflation still up 8.2 percent annualized and producer inflation at 8.5 percent annualized, according to the latest data by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The post-COVID supply crunch is continuing, and the economy overheats, now with demand on the downturn as OPEC curtails oil production and another apparent global recession is imminent, emanating from Europe as energy costs remain extremely elevated especially for natural gas.
As these are the last two inflation reports before the November Congressional midterms, voters only have but one attitude to express about prices: they’re high and they continue getting higher. This is undoubtedly bad news for Democratic leaders including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Senate Majority Leader (D-N.Y.) who are hoping to retain control of slim majorities in Congress. A swing of six seats in the House and just one seat in the Senate is all that is needed to put Republicans back into majorities.
If 2022 is a referendum on cash-strapped household budgets, there can only be one outcome at the polls.
Food prices are up 11.2 percent compared to a year ago. Energy, all told, has risen 19.8 percent. Gasoline, even coming off its highs, is still up 18.2 percent compared to last year. Fuel oil is up 58.1 percent. Electricity is up 15.5 percent and utility piped gas service has risen 33.1 percent.
New car prices are up 9.4 percent and used cars are up 7.2 percent. Transportation services have increased 14.6 percent.
Shelter is up 6.6 percent and medical services are 6.5 percent higher.
In the meantime, real incomes continue to take a huge hit, with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reporting, “From September 2021 to September 2022, real average hourly earnings decreased 2.5 percent, seasonally adjusted.” That is the American people’s wages, on a real basis, being cut just as prices are increasing.
And interest rates are way up, too, with 30-year mortgages now up to 6.66 percent, according to Freddie Mac data, as banks demand more in return for lending.
As a result, revolving consumer credit owned and securitized has skyrocketed 15.3 percent annualized, according to data compiled by the Federal Reserve, as households resort to plastic to settle payments on all the goods and services that cost so much more now. That should continue until households on balance curtail spending, which will contribute to the recession that looks to be ongoing into the new year.
Politically, it is hard for Americans not to look to their elected representatives and the policies they are pursuing for an explanation for the crunch we are in.
COVID lockdowns dramatically collapsed global production, but when the economy reopened sooner than expected, producers could not catch up. Meanwhile, Congress and the Federal Reserve borrowed and printed $6 trillion to shore up the economy during the pandemic as the M2 money supply exploded.
As far as energy goes, environment, social and governance (ESG) investing has successfully reduced the growth of America’s oil production, which is still below pre-COVID levels, and Congress has invested heavily in more expensive green energy.
Combine those policies with a botched foreign policy toward Saudi Arabia — President Joe Biden has been favoring a nuclear deal with Iran at the expense of Riyadh — where Biden requested expanded production and instead received reduced production from OPEC. So. prices had nowhere to go but up.
And then there’s the war in Europe, which appears to be entering its most- dangerous phase yet after the sabotage of the Nord Stream gas pipelines from Russia to Germany and the Russian annexation of Donetsk, Luhansk, and other areas in eastern Ukraine. And now the presidents of Russia, Ukraine, and the United States are all talking about a nuclear war. If nothing else, assuming there is no wider war, the supply crunch for Europe is real and will be ongoing, where inflation is far worse than here.
But telling voters: “It could be worse” is the same thing as telling them: “It could get worse.” That’s likely not a winning formula for Pelosi and Schumer, who may be watching their paper-thin majorities evaporate in a hurry without too much to show for it in the way of legislation. Certainly, there has been no true inflation reduction for households as prices continue rising — and that may be all that matters at the end of the day on Nov. 8.
Robert Romano is the VP of public policy at Americans for Limited Government (ALG). The organization says it is a “non-partisan, nationwide network committed to advancing free-market reforms, private property rights, and core American liberties.”

CHENG CHENG recently joined Syracuse University Libraries as the collection development and analysis librarian. In this role, he will be responsible for analyzing usage and selecting and deselecting library resources. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Cheng was the collection-strategy librarian at San Jose State University and the acquisition and e-resources librarian at SUNY College at
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CHENG CHENG recently joined Syracuse University Libraries as the collection development and analysis librarian. In this role, he will be responsible for analyzing usage and selecting and deselecting library resources. Prior to joining Syracuse University, Cheng was the collection-strategy librarian at San Jose State University and the acquisition and e-resources librarian at SUNY College at Oneonta. Cheng obtained his master’s degree in library science from the University at Buffalo and his bachelor’s degree from Lingnan University in Hong Kong.
Herkimer County Community College
Herkimer County Community College recently announced three staff appointments. SKYLAR KAELIN, of Stittville, has been appointed to the position of athletic trainer for the Herkimer Generals athletic program. Kaelin brings experience from Upstate Bone and Joint Center, where she administered acute emergency football care and rehabilitation services to injured athletes for Syracuse University football. Kaelin
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Herkimer County Community College recently announced three staff appointments.
SKYLAR KAELIN, of Stittville, has been appointed to the position of athletic trainer for the Herkimer Generals athletic program. Kaelin brings experience from Upstate Bone and Joint Center, where she administered acute emergency football care and rehabilitation services to injured athletes for Syracuse University football. Kaelin holds a bachelor’s degree in athletic training from SUNY Cortland and an American Heart Association Basic Life Support CPR/AED certification.
KATHLEEN NETTI, of Herkimer, has been appointed coordinator for accessibility services. She has worked at Herkimer College since 1993 in various roles including technical assistant for the Academic Support Center. In this role, Netti assumed the responsibilities of supporting students with disabilities by maintaining records and documentation pertinent to each case, researching case histories, coordinating, and providing all test accommodations.
MADELINE SNYDER, of Whitesboro, has been appointed to the part-time position of collegiate recovery program coordinator. She is a chemical-dependency counselor at Crouse Addiction Treatment Center and the Beacon Center. Snyder also previously served as the college prevention coordinator at Herkimer College, responsible for prevention and awareness of substance abuse. Snyder holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a minor in psychology from Virginia Wesleyan University, and a master’s degree in criminal justice with a concentration in child protection and juvenile justice from Nova Southeastern University.

NICHOLAS RUNEARE, M.D. has been promoted by Oswego Health to be the new hospitalist medical director at Oswego Hospital. In this role, Dr. Runeare will be responsible for the oversight of all delivery and coordination of care to hospitalist medicine patients, including overseeing the quality of care and serving as the principal clinical liaison with
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NICHOLAS RUNEARE, M.D. has been promoted by Oswego Health to be the new hospitalist medical director at Oswego Hospital. In this role, Dr. Runeare will be responsible for the oversight of all delivery and coordination of care to hospitalist medicine patients, including overseeing the quality of care and serving as the principal clinical liaison with the members of the delivery system. Hospitalists coordinate consultations, order tests, and procedures, and provide patients with care throughout their hospital stay. Runeare, a Fulton native, returned to his hometown roots in 2021 as a hospitalist at Oswego Hospital. He earned his medical degree in 2017 from SUNY Upstate Medical University. There, he completed his residency in internal medicine in 2020 and his chief residency in quality and safety at the Syracuse VA Medical Center in 2021. Before joining Oswego Health, Dr. Runeare previously worked as an internal-medicine nocturnist for the Upstate University Hospital downtown and Community campuses and the Syracuse VA Medical Center.
ROBERT BEAUMONT, a board-certified family nurse practitioner, has joined Oswego Health, providing comprehensive cardiac care at the Center for Cardiology. Beaumont is now part of the 103 physicians and advanced practice providers employed by Oswego Health and the 270 providers on the medical staff representing multiple specialty services across the community. Beaumont earned his master’s degree in nursing in 2015 from SUNY Upstate Medical University and his bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2011 from Keuka College. Beaumont has more than 20 years of experience, including all aspects of emergency care. He served as a family nurse practitioner for Auburn Community Medical Services in an urgent-care setting, CNY Spine and Pain Medicine in Liverpool, and NY Spine and Wellness Center in North Syracuse.

CHRISTOPHER FISHER has been named Finger Lakes Health’s new maintenance manager. He previously was employed through Sodexo as director of maintenance at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons, With more than 30 years of experience in facilities maintenance, carpentry, landscaping, and leadership positions, Fisher is responsible for providing operational management of a comprehensive maintenance-management
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CHRISTOPHER FISHER has been named Finger Lakes Health’s new maintenance manager. He previously was employed through Sodexo as director of maintenance at the Wayne County Nursing Home in Lyons, With more than 30 years of experience in facilities maintenance, carpentry, landscaping, and leadership positions, Fisher is responsible for providing operational management of a comprehensive maintenance-management program at Finger Lakes Health. Fisher holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Finger Lakes Community College.

Binghamton–based Bates Troy Healthcare Linen has promoted JENNIFER STARCHOCK from billing analyst to account analyst. She has been with Bates Troy almost four years and previously had a successful career in banking. Starchock has demonstrated excellent quantitative and financial analytical skills, the company said.
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Binghamton–based Bates Troy Healthcare Linen has promoted JENNIFER STARCHOCK from billing analyst to account analyst. She has been with Bates Troy almost four years and previously had a successful career in banking. Starchock has demonstrated excellent quantitative and financial analytical skills, the company said.

The Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE) at Syracuse University has announced the hiring of JEFF FUCHSBERG as director. In this role, Fuchsberg will contribute to the center’s strategic plan, oversee the implementation of goals and provide leadership and management of CASE’s day-to-day operations. Fuchsberg’s career experience has focused on the intersection of technology,
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The Center for Advanced Systems and Engineering (CASE) at Syracuse University has announced the hiring of JEFF FUCHSBERG as director. In this role, Fuchsberg will contribute to the center’s strategic plan, oversee the implementation of goals and provide leadership and management of CASE’s day-to-day operations. Fuchsberg’s career experience has focused on the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, having most recently served as VP of innovation and entrepreneurship at CenterState CEO. In his role, he was primarily responsible for the Tech Garden incubator in downtown Syracuse, leadership in Central New York’s technology-based economic-development initiatives, and oversight of some of New York State’s premier startup attraction, investment, and support programs, including GENIUS NY, where he previously served as director. Fuchsberg credits CASE with providing foundational early-career opportunities while a student at the College of Law, having been supported by the CASE Co-op Program in 2008, while working for a subsidiary of Welch Allyn housed in the CASE incubator. He then joined the company post-graduation, continuing his work with CASE in a role focused on university-sponsored research and technology commercialization, while leveraging skills developed at the Syracuse University Innovation Law Center.

MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, has added COLLEEN BLAGG as manager of apprenticeship & workforce development. In this role, she will work on an array of grants to expand registered apprenticeship programs throughout New York State. Blagg will utilize her vast knowledge and experience working with underrepresented populations, especially youth, to assist with MACNY’s Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
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MACNY, The Manufacturers Association, has added COLLEEN BLAGG as manager of apprenticeship & workforce development. In this role, she will work on an array of grants to expand registered apprenticeship programs throughout New York State. Blagg will utilize her vast knowledge and experience working with underrepresented populations, especially youth, to assist with MACNY’s Youth Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Blagg is an accomplished workforce-development professional with more than 12 years of experience. Prior to joining MACNY, she was the youth-workforce manager at CNY Works, where she managed youth-workforce services, instituted a work-readiness curriculum, and implemented several projects in partnership with other local organizations. Earlier in her career, Blagg also worked for Patriot Enterprises/AFSC as a career-readiness counselor, Northwestern Workforce Development Board as a youth training & employment specialist, and Workforce Alliance as a career consultant. Blagg holds a bachelor’s degree in international affairs from Florida State University.

Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) announced the recent promotion of MICHAEL WALLS to patient survey operations quality specialist. As an integral member of the RMS survey operations team, Walls’ primary responsibility is to ensure the quality of work being distributed from RMS. His growth of professional scope and his record for excellence makes this
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Research & Marketing Strategies, Inc. (RMS) announced the recent promotion of MICHAEL WALLS to patient survey operations quality specialist. As an integral member of the RMS survey operations team, Walls’ primary responsibility is to ensure the quality of work being distributed from RMS. His growth of professional scope and his record for excellence makes this advancement a natural move for both Walls and RMS, the company said. Walls is responsible for maintaining strict quality adherence to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines in preparation and management of survey mailing operations, managing data entry, and conducting survey distribution and data collection. In addition, his duties include assisting with client onboarding, addressing existing client needs, as well as conducting sampling for various Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) lines of business while strictly adhering to all project planning deadlines and CMS mandated sampling protocol.

Workers end strike at Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney
SIDNEY, N.Y. — About 700 employees at Amphenol Aerospace in Sidney on Wednesday approved a new contract deal with the manufacturer and ended a strike
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