Covering the politics, policies and people of New York State government.
I just spent half a year advocating for the Child Victims Act alongside a group of dedicated and courageous survivors and supporters. We went wherever we could to be seen and heard. We spoke of our own experiences in order to show how children of today and tomorrow would be […]
New Yorkers will vote on a Constitutional Convention this fall. Before they head to the polls, they should consider one very basic question: Is New York state government working for you? Those who would answer “Yes” can stop reading. But those who would answer “No” likely believe we can do […]
Full court press is on for the passage of laws permitting physician assisted suicide in New York state. Spokespeople in the media proclaim that only the individual should have the choice as to when to die. The slogan in circulation is that people have, “a right to die” as though […]
The Serviceman’s Readjustment Act of 1944 — better known as the G. I. Bill — was intended to provide World War II veterans with funds for housing and unemployment, but especially resources for education. At its core, the bill aimed to help veterans adjust to civilian life. This objective, it […]
“An oft-quoted African proverb tells us, “It takes a village to raise a child.” This concept becomes even more affecting when the “child” in question has an Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this case, the “villagers” also include doctors, counselors, therapists, other medical professionals, specialists and agency administrators as parents […]
New York state has made significant strides in recent years to improve our business climate. From voluntary adherence to a two-percent spending cap, to the enactment of the tremendously successful property tax cap, lawmakers and the governor have shown a recognition that we need to make significant changes to […]
Legislative column by Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino, R-Sayville Gov. Cuomo has proposed a $152.3 billion state budget, a spending plan that I believe needs improvement. Considering that the state is funded by the hard-earned dollars of New York residents, the state needs to be better stewards of these funds. More must […]
State Senate Majority Leader John J. Flanagan If the recently-concluded legislative session is remembered for one thing, it should be this: 2016 was the year the Legislature and Governor took significant steps to improve the overall quality-of-life for all of our residents. Let’s start with passage of the […]