For years, Elizabeth "Betty" Little (R - Warren County), has often represented the interests of her deep-pocketed corporate contributors over the public health and safety of the thousands of constituents that she represents in the North Country.
Two days ago, I wrote a diary detailing Little's opposition to outlawing the importation of toxic fracking waste fluids from surrounding states and requiring the full disclosure of all chemical contents being used in the fluids after she received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from fossil fuel interests. Yesterday, I wrote a diary uncovering Little's opposition to a safe patient handling law which almost unanimously passed the State Senate and would've mandated comprehensive training programs for health care professionals to better handle their patients under care after she received numerous donations from trade groups representing hospitals and the health care industry.
Now, I learned that Betty Little took another position against public health and safety; she was the only legislator on the State Senate's 10-member Environmental Conservation Committee that opposed advancing legislation for a full floor vote that would've banned the use of Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical known to cause heart disease and cancer, from being manufactured or used on receipts and transaction papers at retailers and businesses in New York State (S.4709-A). The legislation had bipartisan support and two of its three co-sponsors were fairly conservative Republicans; Carl Marcellino of Long Island and Mark Grisanti of Buffalo.
Last October, Discover Magazine had an
extensive article revealing the potential risks of the continued use of BPA chemicals on receipts and transaction papers.
From Discover Magazine, October 27, 2014:
"You probably know bisphenol A (BPA) as the controversial chemical in hard plastic food and drink containers, such as baby bottles and Nalgene water bottles. In recent years many companies have voluntarily eliminated BPA from their plastics due to research that shows that it can damage women’s fertility and possibly pose a threat to young children. But another source of BPA is less well known: cash register receipts. And a new study reports that when people handle BPA-coated receipts after sanitizing their hands, they get a rapid spike of BPA in their bloodstream."
"While BPA is commonly found at low levels in peoples’ blood, researchers are concerned that elevated levels may lead to dangerous hormonal and neurological disruptions."
This
YouTube video from Consumer Reports contains an interesting analysis of the dangers of BPA chemicals in receipts and transaction papers:
In recent years, State Senator Little has received numerous campaign contributions from interests that would likely oppose any bans or restrictions on BPA usage in paper products. According to Little's campaign disclosure receipt records at the New York State Board of Elections, since 2011, Little has received $1,200 from International Paper's PAC, $1,600 from Finch Paper and $400 from the American Chemistry Council, an ALEC trade group which has invested millions in lobbying efforts to fight legislation in the state legislatures restricting or banning BPA useage.