Latest news with #Cortese
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
The Rome less travelled? I visited the super-popular Italian capital, full of iconic sights, to explore its quieter corners
The swift current of late-morning foot traffic is moving steadily over the cobblestones of Via dei Condotti. It streams down the iconic Spanish Steps, then flows past all the glamorous storefronts along one of Rome's most famous shopping streets. You know the names: Prada, Valentino, Gucci. But my tour guide Dario Cortese, steering us around in a golf cart, takes me just one block beyond this busy scene, to a tucked-away lane, Via Margutta . 'Can you smell the jasmine?' he asks, then goes silent for a moment, in deference to a nearby fountain. 'Can you hear the water flowing?' Yes, indeed, to both. It's a surprise urban oasis. Almost as an afterthought, Cortese points out Pablo Picasso's former apartment, where his two-month stay in 1917 is now marked by a discreet plaque. This quiet street was once a hub of artist studios. This is also where the character Joe Bradley, played by Gregory Peck, lived in 'Roman Holiday.' Scenes from the 1953 rom-com were filmed on this block. 'Nobody knows about this street,' claims Cortese, as we scoot to the next stop. 'But you can find a place like this around every corner in Rome.' Today's itinerary is a custom tour with Access Italy , a family-run company that promises to 'unlock the Italia less travelled,' taking visitors to less obvious sights. Via Margutta, a quiet street whose famous former residents include Pablo Picasso, feels like a surprise urban oasis in the heart of Rome. Italy's ancient capital is, of course, one of Europe's most popular travel destinations. And this year, for a (probably) record-breaking number of visitors, all roads lead to Rome. Tourism is set to soar due to excitement over the newly elected pope, Leo XIV, coupled with the fact that this is a much-anticipated Jubilee year . The holy occasion is expected to draw 35 million pilgrims to the Vatican over the course of 2025. But even amid the exhilarating busyness, the Eternal City has lesser-known corners that reveal the spirit of this place in a quieter way, as I learn on this trip in May, my eighth visit to the destination. 'There's a whole hidden side of Rome,' says Roberto Wirth, soon after my arrival at the storied Hotel Hassler Roma , a landmark property that's been in his family for generations. (He co-owns the Hassler with his twin sister, Veruschka.) Perched at the crest of the Spanish Steps, the hotel's open-air, top-floor patio restaurant is a perfect place to get a lay of the land. The noontime cannon, across the way at Janiculum Hill, fires moments after I step onto the terrace, a puff of smoke rising above the trees. I spot the Monument to Victor Emanuele II (a.k.a. 'the typewriter') over to the left. The dome of St. Peter's Basilica stands soaring straight ahead. I can picture the fumata bianca that was rising over it just a few weeks before my trip, signalling the end of the Papal conclave, and the selection of a new Holy Father. After lunch, I follow the advice of the Wirth twins, who recommend I explore Rome by simply finding some shade and room to walk. I take a short stroll over to the huge hilltop park surrounding the Villa Borghese, where rambling paths offer shelter from the baking sun. The next day, I'm happy to trade my walking shoes for a golf cart ride, settling into the front seat next to Cortese. One of the stops on his guided tour takes me to meet an artist, an eccentric and well-known local character, at his al fresco 'workspace,' near Piazza Navona. Dario Cortese is a tour guide with Access Italy, a family-run company that takes travellers to less obvious sights. 'These are all made here, on the street,' says Giancarlino Benedetti Corcos, bringing out a series of his contemporary paintings, which he creates at a little table two steps away. One, appropriately enough, is his abstract take on a map of Rome. While Corcos shows me his art in the little lane, where he's been working for 20-some years, people push through on Vespas and bicycles. A stylish woman with a leather jacket and oversized sunglasses chatters away to us in Italian (which nobody ever interprets). The scene all feels a bit chaotic, and very Roman. Almost lost amid the other sites — we also swing past the Colosseum and the uber-trendy Trastevere district — is Cortese's advice to visit a small church, the Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo . 'You can see the most beautiful artworks,' he says, 'for free.' Following his counsel to double-check the church's often limited schedule, I breathe a sigh of relief to see the door open. Most people apparently come to Santa Maria to pray, evidenced by rows of the faithful seated in the pews. But a smaller group, less than a dozen visitors, has clustered in a chapel to the left of the altar. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Popolo is home to beautiful artworks, including paintings by Caravaggio. Joining them in the corner are two large paintings by Michelangelo Merisi, the master better known as Caravaggio. One depicts a young Saul, who would become St. Paul, in the throes of a dramatic and divine intervention, knocked from his horse and blinded by heavenly light. Normally, paintings like these would draw a lot more art lovers, but these are a little hidden — and sometimes even literally shrouded in darkness. The light overhead goes out after a few moments. Turns out, there's no fee to enter the church. But lighting up the artwork for perhaps three minutes? That'll set you back two euros. The light is activated by dropping coins through a slot. Soon, someone rattles a couple of coins out of their pocket to illuminate the chapel again. When the light goes out a second time, then a third, it's time to leave the hushed silence. It seems like my time to kick in, but I only have bills on hand. So I head back out to the crush of the square out front, eager to search out more of the city's hidden corners. Tim Johnson received accommodation from Hotel Hassler Roma and a guided tour from Access Italy; neither reviewed nor approved this article.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats support bills guaranteeing cash for low-income
(NewsNation) — A group of Democratic lawmakers from 17 states is hoping to garner support for legislation that would provide recurring cash payments to low-income residents as a way of alleviating poverty in the United States. The group of 20 Democrats launched 'Legislators for a Guaranteed Income' this week. The newly formed group will partner with a network of 245 mayors and local officials who have attempted to introduce similar pilot programs around the country, according to a news release issued by the group. The organization said that there are 25 proposed bills across 11 states that are seeking to establish some sort of guaranteed payments to low-income residents. Proposed legislation has been introduced in California, Illinois, Tennessee and North Carolina. Where do the DOGE stimulus checks stand? The California bill, introduced by State Sen. Dave Cortese, would provide recurring guaranteed cash payments to homeless teens as they transition into adulthood. The Tennessee bill, which is sponsored by State Rep. Justin Pearson, would offer eligible residents $3,000 per year. Under the California bill, eligible teens would receive four monthly $1,000 payments as part of a program that would cost $40 million to $50 million, reported. Despite the cost, Democrats see value in the investment. Cortese said he believes homeless teens deserve more than a chance to survive, but instead 'a real chance to thrive,' Cortese said in a statement issued by the organization. Other Democrats agreed that those in need would benefit from legislation aimed at cutting down on poverty. 'We need leaders of moral courage who see the world as it is and are ready to fight for a vision of what it can be,' Pearson, the Tennessee Democrat, said in a released statement. 'The call for guaranteed income that Dr. (Martin Luther) King put out is being answered today by hundreds of cities and counties across the nation, and I'm proud to expand the movement by joining Legislators for a Guaranteed Income.' How Karen Read's past media interviews could hurt her at trial The mayor's group claims that more Americans are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living continues to rise. Many of those work multiple jobs, the organization said, and yet more than one in three Americans are considered to be part of the working poor. In addition, 63% of working Americans do not have enough money saved to cover a $500 emergency if needed. The push for guaranteed income arose after a 2019 experiment in Northern California, where 125 residents received $500 per month for two months. Researchers found that participants saw their financial stability increase after being assisted through the pilot program, reported. 'The work-around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states,' Michael Tubbs, the former mayor of Stockton, Calif., where the experiment took place, told the online news organization. 'We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse.' Yet, as Democrats push to gain support for more legislation to assist low-income residents, Republicans argue that those types of legislation encourage those people not to work. 'If you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away,' former South Dakota Republican State Sen. John Wiik told Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State lawmakers launch group to spur 'guaranteed income' cash to residents
Apr. 29—To California Democratic state Sen. David Cortese, the idea of gaining Republican support for a bill to provide cash to certain residents would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. But his proposed legislation to offer $1,000 per month to homeless youth has so far received bipartisan support in the state Senate. "It's being embraced," said Cortese. "This was not even considered possible five years ago." Cortese is among more than 20 Democratic lawmakers from 17 states launching Legislators for a Guaranteed Income on Tuesday to advocate for programs that provide direct, regular cash payments to lower-income residents to help alleviate poverty. They join a network of more than 245 mayors and county officials who have pursued dozens of basic income pilot projects across the country. The lawmakers want to see states play a larger role in guaranteed income programs, which aim to help residents in need by handing out no-strings-attached cash. The concept of basic income programs took off following a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month for two years, which researchers found improved their financial stability and health. Michael Tubbs, the former Democratic mayor of Stockton and current executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, said these kinds of efforts are more important now as economic uncertainty and high prices squeeze the most vulnerable people. "The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states," he said. "We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse." While the concept has gained traction across the country, Republican state lawmakers have pushed bills to ban basic income programs, arguing they disincentivize work. Last year, then-state Sen. John Wiik sponsored successful legislation banning South Dakota localities from launching basic income programs. At the time, the Republican said he was worried about people growing dependent upon the government. "So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away," he told Stateline. Legislators for a Guaranteed Income says its 23 members have so far introduced 25 bills across 11 states. The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states. — Michael Tubbs, executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Those include Cortese's proposed legislation in California to create a new program to help homeless youth transition out of high school. Eligible students would receive four monthly payments of $1,000 each beginning in May. That bill, expected to cost $40 million to $50 million, has passed through two state Senate committees. Cortese previously advocated for a 2023 California program that was the nation's first state-funded pilot of a basic income program targeting former foster youth. He pointed to research showing basic income programs supplement, rather than replace, the need for work. And he said growing these programs can eventually reduce costs for other social safety net programs. "I'm so pleased to see the proliferation that we've seen so far," he said. "I think that it will become ubiquitous as a way of doing things and that's going to outlast me and my career." In Pennsylvania, Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said he's still exploring details on legislation for a basic income program there. He said pilot projects across the country have proven that people pay rent, buy groceries and invest in small businesses when they have more financial freedom. "So, this isn't really some big experiment," he said. "It is a proven way to reduce poverty, improve health care, boost our local economies and really get a real return on that investment." Kenyatta said so-called trickle-down policies that aim to boost business interests and high earners have failed many ordinary people. "But basic income really flips that equation on its head," he said. "It's not about charity. It's about power, and about giving people the power and the resources to breathe." Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at [email protected]. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State lawmakers launch group to spur ‘guaranteed income' cash to residents
A father plays outside with his son in Mount Vernon, N.Y. State lawmakers across the country are joining forces to pursue legislation for basic income programs to help reduce poverty. () To California Democratic state Sen. David Cortese, the idea of gaining Republican support for a bill to provide cash to certain residents would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. But his proposed legislation to offer $1,000 per month to homeless youth has so far received bipartisan support in the state Senate. 'It's being embraced,' said Cortese. 'This was not even considered possible five years ago.' Cortese is among more than 20 Democratic lawmakers from 17 states launching Legislators for a Guaranteed Income on Tuesday to advocate for programs that provide direct, regular cash payments to lower-income residents to help alleviate poverty. They join a network of more than 245 mayors and county officials who have pursued dozens of basic income pilot projects across the country. The lawmakers want to see states play a larger role in guaranteed income programs, which aim to help residents in need by handing out no-strings-attached cash. Red states fight growing efforts to give 'basic income' cash to residents The concept of basic income programs took off following a 2019 experiment in Stockton, California. There, 125 individuals received $500 per month for two years, which researchers found improved their financial stability and health. Michael Tubbs, the former Democratic mayor of Stockton and current executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income, said these kinds of efforts are more important now as economic uncertainty and high prices squeeze the most vulnerable people. 'The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states,' he said. 'We're going to be organizing state officials across the country who see what we all see: that affordability is an issue, that the Trump tariffs and gross mismanagement of the economy has made the problem even worse.' While the concept has gained traction across the country, Republican state lawmakers have pushed bills to ban basic income programs, arguing they disincentivize work. Last year, then-state Sen. John Wiik sponsored successful legislation banning South Dakota localities from launching basic income programs. At the time, the Republican said he was worried about people growing dependent upon the government. 'So, if you get people addicted to just getting a check from the government, it's going to be really hard to take that away,' he told Stateline. Legislators for a Guaranteed Income says its 23 members have so far introduced 25 bills across 11 states. The work around guaranteed income is moving from cities and counties to states. – Michael Tubbs, executive chairman of Mayors for a Guaranteed Income Those include Cortese's proposed legislation in California to create a new program to help homeless youth transition out of high school. Eligible students would receive four monthly payments of $1,000 each beginning in May. That bill, expected to cost $40 million to $50 million, has passed through two state Senate committees. Cortese previously advocated for a 2023 California program that was the nation's first state-funded pilot of a basic income program targeting former foster youth. He pointed to research showing basic income programs supplement, rather than replace, the need for work. And he said growing these programs can eventually reduce costs for other social safety net programs. 'I'm so pleased to see the proliferation that we've seen so far,' he said. 'I think that it will become ubiquitous as a way of doing things and that's going to outlast me and my career.' Child tax credits, long a liberal priority, find favor in Republican states In Pennsylvania, Democratic state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta said he's still exploring details on legislation for a basic income program there. He said pilot projects across the country have proven that people pay rent, buy groceries and invest in small businesses when they have more financial freedom. 'So, this isn't really some big experiment,' he said. 'It is a proven way to reduce poverty, improve health care, boost our local economies and really get a real return on that investment.' Kenyatta said so-called trickle-down policies that aim to boost business interests and high earners have failed many ordinary people. 'But basic income really flips that equation on its head,' he said. 'It's not about charity. It's about power, and about giving people the power and the resources to breathe.' Stateline reporter Kevin Hardy can be reached at khardy@ SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
CBS News
24-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Proposal seeks to improve cleanup of abandoned shopping carts in California
A proposal brought on by Northern California lawmaker is seeking to improve the process of cleaning up abandoned shopping carts in the state, which are often a source of blight on streets and waterways. State Sen. Dave Cortese (D-San Jose) announced Monday that he introduced Senate Bill 753, a measure that is also being backed by officials in the Bay Area's largest city, including Mayor Matt Mahan. "My bill eliminates blight and creates incentives for retailers to work collaboratively with local governments," Cortese said in a statement . Under SB753, the measure would make multiple changes to the state's current laws on abandoned shopping carts, which his office said were "ineffective" at preventing carts from being abandoned and incentivizing proper recovery. Currently, cities are required to store carts at an impound lot and wait for retailers to pick them up. If approved, cities would be able to return abandoned carts directly to retailers, instead of impounding them. Cities would also be able to recover costs by billing stores for retrieval services. Other provisions of the proposal include cities and counties being able to set their own fines, which are currently capped at $50. Violations would also be re-defined, according to Cortese's office, to "each instance where a retailer fails to retrieve a cart within three business days after being notified by the city or county, rather than being based on a single day's collection of carts under the current law." "I am sick and tired of seeing shopping carts litter our streets and waterways, and I know I'm not alone," Mahan said. "I appreciate Senator Cortese's shared urgency — letting cities return stolen carts immediately and creating avenues to recover costs keeps them where they belong — in stores, not on our streets." It was not immediately known when the measure would be considered in the legislature.
