Troy, NY. The solidly Republican Rensselaer County Legislature has passed a resolution in support of HR 676 and called on “… federal legislators to work towards its enactment within the current Congress.” The county resolution was introduced by two Republicans and a Democrat. HR 676, sponsored by Congressman John Conyers (D-MI), would implement a national single payer health program covering everyone for all medically necessary care.

The 19 member Rensselaer County Legislature is the first Republican controlled body to endorse HR 676. The vote on Resolution P390 07, which came at the regular July 11, 2007, meeting, was 14-3. All Democrats voted for the measure, but Democrats hold less than a third of the seats in the county legislature. Joseph Bruno, longtime majority leader of the Republican controlled New York State Senate, is a resident of Rensselaer County.

Mike Keenan, President of the Troy Central Labor Council which endorsed HR 676 last year, was one of several community activists who spoke in favor of the endorsement in time allowed for citizen input prior to the meeting.

The County Clerk was instructed to forward copies of the resolution to Senators Clinton and Schumer and to members of the U.S. House, Rep. Kirsten Gillibrand and Rep. Michael McNulty. Currently only McNulty supports HR 676. It is not known if any of the other three has responded.

The full text of the resolution can be found here: http://www.rensselaercounty.org/2007%20Meeting%20Packets/July%202007%20Regular%20Meeting%20Packet.pdf

Other counties that have endorsed HR 676 are: Warren County, TN; Lorain County, OH; Courtland County Legislature, NY; City-County Council of the City of Indianapolis and of Marion County, IN; Alachua County Board of Commissioners, FL; Louisville Metro Council, KY; Boyle County, KY; Allegheny County Council, PA; Wayne County, MI; and Albany County Legislature, NY.