The gift that keeps on giving

This NY Post article by Fred Dicker outlines some interesting back room maneuvering in the continuing saga of "Troopergate."
http://www.nypost.com/seven/12312007/news/columnists/spitzer_probe_boss_in_vacation_uproar_906744.htm

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Troopergate, Teachers and Taxes

Newsday's James Madore looks at where we are right now with the various Troopergate investigations and how the on-going scandal will impact the legislative session due to start in three weeks.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stchop195507069dec19,0,5340658.story

This NY Daily News article by Carrie Melago reveals opposition among some teachers to controversial bonus plan in NYC schools.
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/education/2007/12/19/2007-12-19_teachers_split_on_test_bonus-2.html

This article by legislative Gazette reporter Kelly Chase says NYS Association of Counties will push for relief from costs of Pre-school Special Education and Medicaid.
http://www.legislativegazette.com/read_more.php?story=2751

Special Ed Fight

The NY Times article at the link below says NYC Schools are being more aggressive in fighting placements of Special Education students in private schools.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/12/12/nyregion/12consultants.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&oref=slogin&ref=nyregion&adxnnlx=1197482869-lXsZzMlLzKe/sm1TzDeGfQ

Albany views

This Elizabeth Benjamin Blog entry details how the retirement of a NYS Senator could make the political mess in Albany even worse.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/

This Bill Hammond Column in the NY Daily News offers little comfort for New Yorkers.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/12/11/2007-12-11_albanys_grinches_at_it_again.html

Raises, economy and taxes, oh my

This NY Sun Editorial blasts Governor Spitzer for even considering support for a pay raise for legislators.
http://www.nysun.com/article/67241

Here is another interesting, and easy, idea on how to improve Upstate economy
http://www.eldiariony.com/noticias/detail.aspx?section=25&desc=Editorial&id=1764243

Senator Bruno is against new taxes and for maintaining a large state workforce, according to the Jacob Gershman NY Sun article below.
http://www.nysun.com/article/67162?page_no=1

The articles linked to this page are provided as a public service by CP of NYS, and do not necessarily reflect the views of CP of NYS, its Board of Directors and staff, or of the CP of NYS Affiliates.

Education and music

NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg has a plan for ridding the public schools of bad teachers. If it works in NYC, will it spread to other districts? Stay tuned.
http://www.observer.com/2007/it-s-time-give-boot-bad-teachers

The 2-minute happy feeling below is provided in the spirit of Thanksgiving; by a Yankee Fan.
Just another reason why I love Boston!

Monday musings

This opinion piece on philanthropy in Newsday was authored by Marsha Gittleman, UCP Suffolk's Director of Development and Public Relations. It offers an opportunity for fundraising professionals, and potential donors, to think about why and how to give.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opgit185465287nov18,0,495515.story

This opinion piece in Newsday says, let's stop spending so much time and money on Troopergate.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/newyork/ny-nysher195467767nov19,0,5909903.column

This NY Times Editorial calls on the Feds to back off on plans to force NYS to have all new, untried and untested voting machines in place by next fall and to concentrate on providing greater access to the polls for people with disabilities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/18/opinion/nyregionopinions/CIvoting.html?ref=nyregionopinions

No good news here

The article below illustrates that there continues to be lots of talk, but little action regarding "Brain Drain" in upstate NY and its economic and social impact.
http://www.theithacajournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071106/OPINION03/711060318/1014/OPINION

This Newsday article continues the trend of doom and gloom predictions regarding next year's state budget
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stbudg065448524nov06,0,5406217.story

Another opinion on one reason health insurance and health care is so expensive in NYS. A hint, what many view as the nation's most dysfunctional state legislature is to blame.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/11/06/2007-11-06_end_albanys_medical_meddling.html

Budgets and politics

Jacob Gershman takes a look at how a downturn in the housing market and lower profits on Wall Street will impact next year’s state budget.
http://www.nysun.com/article/65552

Meanwhile,

Tom Precious of the Buffalo news reports that Governor Spitzer will postpone fulfilling a campaign promise to collect sales tax on the sale of cigarettes and gasoline by retailers on Indian Reservations in the state.
http://www.buffalonews.com/home/story/196055.html

And Precious takes time to ask the Governor about his confrontations with rivals in Albany.
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/196048.html

Health care news

Health care experts tell State lawmakers to spend more on primary care.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/NEWS01/710300328/1006

Onondaga County to join three other central New York counties in cost-saving drug prescription plan for uninsured residents.
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-12/1193734516100811.xml&coll=1

Health and Politics

This Newsday editorial calls for continued pressure to pass expanded SCHIP.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpschp095406820oct09,0,4458735.story

NY Daily News Columnist Bill Hammond points out what should probably be the real focus of "Troopergate" in this opinion piece.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/10/09/2007-10-09_air_bruno_is_the_real_scandal.html

Wealth shift and Medicaid shift on today's menu

This Christian Science Monitor story reveals a shift in wealth and a shift in perceptions among the American people.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1003/p09s01-coop.html

This Jay Gallagher story in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle shows that counties are saving money as a result of Medicaid Cap.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071003/NEWS01/710030340/1002/NEWS

Health care will be major election issue

This Poughkeepsie Journal Editorial talks about some serious health care issues.

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070930/OPINION01/709300316/1031

This Binghamton Press and Sun-Bulletin Editorial calls on President Bush to go along with Congress and increase the number of children who have health insurance.

http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070930/OPINION/709300327/1005/OPINION

This Albany Times-Union Blog entry explains that NY and several other states are going to court to try to force the Federal Government to increase the number of children covered under SCHIP.

http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/

Same old same old

This transcript of a broadcast report by Capitol Reporter Karen DeWitt indicates that the problems in state government have not improved since Eliot Spitzer moved into the Governor's Mansion.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxxi/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1151049&sectionID=1

The story below seems to indicate that things may get worse before they get better.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=623427&category=STATE&newsdate=9/20/2007

Travel and Politics

NY is working with air, rail and auto companies to offer discounts to beef up travel to Upstate.
http://albany.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2007/09/17/daily20.html?jst=b_ln_hl

Now there's an interesting thought.
http://www.nysun.com/article/62973

This 'n That

Spitzer, Schwarzenegger in fight with Feds over health care coverage for children.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--childrensinsuran0917sep17,0,5014310.story

Green house effect
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=622902&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=9/18/2007

This article in Buffalo's Business First warns of big hike in health insurance costs for employers.
http://www.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2007/09/10/daily45.html?surround=lfn

Spitzer launches health care fight with Feds

Governor Spitzer and the NY Congressional Delegation are stepping up pressure on the Bush Administration to allow NY to increase health care coverage for children.
http://swnsonline.com/?p=513

This Newsday Editorial agrees with Spitzer and the NY Delegation. http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpschp115369238sep11,0,4655342.story

Health Care in NY

Several articles appeared in papers across the state today highlighting the state of health care at hospitals and HMO's.

The Albany Times-Union reports on a report card on hospitals and HMOs recently issued.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=620038&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=9/7/2007

The Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin (here http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070907/NEWS01/709070358/1006) and Syracuse Post Standard
(here http://www.syracuse.com/articles/business/index.ssf?/base/business-10/1189156156185390.xml&coll=1) also examined the issue on with a local slant.

Spitzer may sue Feds

The NY Sun article at the link below says that NY Governor Eliot Spitzer is prepared to sue the federal government over health care coverage eligibility for the state's children.
http://www.nysun.com/article/61424

Interesting stuff

Report says NYS budget gap will grow, according to this James Odato article in the Albany Times-Union.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=610417&category=STATE&BCCode=&newsdate=7/31/2007

The report sited in this Times-Union article by Ryan Hutchins may create additional scrutiny of day care providers in NYS.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=610411&category=STATE&BCCode=&newsdate=7/31/2007

This Associated Press story is here just to make you feel good.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=610252&category=New%20York%20State&BCCode=&newsdate=7/31/2007

Politicians too far removed?

This Newsday articles suggests that deals between Governor Spitzer and State Senate Majority Leader Bruno my have fallen apart during their very public brawl.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stchop295311987jul29,0,6843420.story?coll=ny-statenews-headlines

This NY Post story by Ginger Adams Otis offers a real-life example of why government leaders should consider travelling like regular folks.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07292007/news/regionalnews/bruno_trip_a_train_ing_mission_regionalnews_ginger_adams_otis.htm

This newspaper agrees. Make it a law that public servants (read spoiled politicians) should travel like the rest of us.
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070730/NEWS05/707300337/1013

What others say

This NY Times article talks about the unusual nature of the questions in the most recent Presidential "debate".
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Democrats-Debate.html

This Jacob Gershman article in the NY Sun suggests that, despite disciplining two top aides, the Governor may face tough scrutiny by the NY State Senate regarding staff conduct.
http://www.nysun.com/article/58958

A Times Herald-Record opinion piece posted on the Knickerbocker Blog, takes a wait and see attitude towards the reforms passed in Albany.
http://www.upstateblog.net/

Views from around the state

This Jamestown Post-Journal story points out the negative effects of a drop in population on the Upstate economy.
http://post-journal.com/articles.asp?articleID=17522

Our friends at The Knickerbocker blog (upstateblog.com) put us on to this commentary about the decisions that must be made regarding health care coverage in NYS.
http://www.wamc.org/comward.html

This Buffalo News opinion piece by Mitchell Moss offers strong reasons for action by state government to support the Upstate economy.
http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/anothervoice/story/118524.html

Time winding down in Albany

This Albany Times-Union Blog entry is another indication of the problems being faced by the state as it attempts to implement the Berger Commissions mandates.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=598735&category=STATE&newsdate=6/18/2007

The Elmira Star Gazette ran this article on how NYS legislators from their region voted on recent legislation.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070618/NEWS01/706180318/1001/NEWS

Brendan Scott of the Times Herald-Record takes a critical look at Albany Politics.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070618/NEWS/706180319

Education and the flight of the educated

This Elmira Star Gazette article takes a look at the uneven effects of No child Left Behind.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070611/NEWS01/706110306/1001/NEWS

This editorial and some reader responses, examines some critical elements of the very real problem of the flight of New York's young people.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18403903&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=82701&rfi=6

Exploring some issues

This Release from the Business Council of New York urges reform of Scaffold Law
http://www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/2007/060507-scaffoldlaw2.htm

Reporter Cara Matthews of the Journal News says that governor Spitzer plans to veto bill to change the way state inmates with mental health issues are treated.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070608/NEWS05/706080385/1021

NY Sun reporter Grace Rauh reports on the booming lobbying industry in New York City.
http://www.nysun.com/article/56192

Health care issues heating up

Brendan Scott, of the Times Herald-Record, takes a look at the effects of the Governor's proposal to provide up to 12 weeks of paid family leave.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070606/NEWS/706060349

Syracuse Post Standard reporter James Mulder says that four unions are combining to try to prevent the merger of two Syracuse hospitals. This on the same day doctors at a Schenectady County hospital announced that they are launching a public relations campaign to keep that facility open in the latest attempt to undo the mandate of the Berger Commission.
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/business/index.ssf?/base/business-9/1181120278234860.xml&coll=1

This Albany Times-Union editorial blasts governor for treatment of prison inmates with mental illness.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=595555&category=OPINION&BCCode=&newsdate=6/6/2007

Jay Jochnowitz and James Odato cover a lot of state politics in this Albany Times -Union Blog entry.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/

Hillary, spitzer and Brain Drain

The bigger story for New Yorkers may be the second, less prominent, part of this Fred Dicker column in the NY Post.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05282007/news/columnists/new_york_d_c__feud_rattles_clinton_campaign_columnists_fredric_u__dicker.htm

This blog article refers to two newspaper editorials about the need to make changes to keep New York's best and brightest from leaving the state.
http://www.upstateblog.net/

Views from around the state

This Jay Gallagher article in the Journal News gives interesting perspective on reasons politicians make the decisions they do on legislation.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/NEWS05/705250377/1021

This entry in Elizabeth Benjamin's NY Daily News Blog reveals details of Governor Spitzer's plan to make state authorities more accountable to the public.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2007/05/spitzers_public_authorities_re.html

This Elmira Star Gazette Editorial calls on politicians to stop talking and make some concrete plans for improving the Upstate economy.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070525/OPINION01/705250311/1004/Opinion

Downstate, Upstate

Wealthy philanthropist puts money up to help poor students, then blasts NYC teacher's union for the problems in city schools.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05242007/news/regionalnews/chool_holy_war_regionalnews_dan_mangan.htm

More on the gift from a non-believer here;
http://www.nysun.com/article/55104

State Senator Joseph Robach backs the NYS Senator Republicans' plan for jump starting the Upstate economy in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070524/OPINION02/705240330/1039/OPINION

From around the state

This Syracuse Post-Standard article by John Mariani discusses the latest in a series of legal challenges to the Berger Commission results calling for the closing of some health care facilities in New York.
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/business/index.ssf?/base/business-8/1179392830127370.xml&coll=1

This NY Post Editorial chides state leaders for upstate economic incentives and the state's large, expensive public workforce, all in one column.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05172007/postopinion/editorials/upstate_con_game_editorials_.htm

This Brendan Scott article in the Times-Herald Record takes a look at the incredible amount of juice and money being lined up for one fight in Albany.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070516/NEWS/705160341/-1/NEWS

This 'n That

Brendan Scott of the Times Herald-Record gives one reason he believes that the NYS Legislature is still the worst in the land.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070514/NEWS/705140316

This cranky NY Post Editorial takes Governor Spitzer to task for; well for pretty much everything.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/05142007/postopinion/editorials/eliots_unmaking_editorials_.htm?page=1

Speaking of cranky; this Jacob Gershman opinion piece in the NY Sun, while a flattering look at the Governor, takes a cheap shot at the city of Albany.
http://www.nysun.com/article/54422

One Man's Opinion

Michael Carey gives his view of the law named after his son in this Albany Times-Union opinion piece.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=587446&category=OPINION&newsdate=5/8/2007

Jonathan's Law Signed

This Newsday article by James Madore explains that the Governor signed Jonathan's Law understanding that there are significant problems with the language of the bill. Read more...
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-stjohn075202870may07,0,6230687,print.story?coll=ny-statenews-headlines

Two articles shine light on state government

Brendan Scott, of the Times Herald Record in Middletown, has this interesting take on the "three men in a room" view of state government in New York.
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070507/NEWS/705070317

The gift that keeps on giving? The Albany Times-Union asks about how Member Item money appropriated for a women's museum is being spent.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=586881&category=OPINION&newsdate=5/6/2007

This 'n That

A disagreement between a freshman State Assemblyman and county officials over tax burden promises to get nasty in Putnam County at weekend meeting.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS04/705030401/1020

Jay Gallagher had this article in the Journal News about a bill in the Assembly that would allow state employees to sue for discrimination.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS05/705030361/1021

This Nancy Dooling article in the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin is a followup to one she did last week about the problems created when state day care funds were withheld from working parents.
http://www.pressconnects.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070503/NEWS01/705030357/1006

Views From Around The State

In the story below, Albany Times-Union reporter Rick Karlin takes a look at key issues still to be addressed during this legislative session in Albany.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=585821&category=STATE&newsdate=5/2/2007

In this Ithaca Journal article, Associated Press reporter Marc Humbert takes a look at Governor Spitzer's fundraising trip to California at a time when he is criticising NY Legislators for not passing campaign finance reforms.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NY_PAY_RAISES_SPITZER_NYOL-?SITE=NYITH&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Rochester Democrat & Chronicle reporter Joseph Spector looks at how statewide campaign finance reform laws could impact local races.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070502/NEWS01/705020367/1002/NEWS

NY lagging in scientists and engineers

This report highlights one potential reason for the anemic Upstate economy. It is also a warning to government and private industry about the lack of funding for science and technology. Read more...
http://www.bcnys.org/whatsnew/2007/0417neweco.htm

Pork at two levels

The NY times article below, by Nicholas Confessore, lists some of the organizations that will receive more than $7 million dollars in Member Items supported by Assembly Speaker Sheldon silver.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/18/nyregion/18lobbying.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

This Washington Post article by Shailagh Murray outlines how US Senator Hillary Clinton has helped direct federal dollars to NY.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/17/AR2007041701987.html

Knowledge and money

A recent survey by the Pew Research Center for the People & the Press found that Democrats and women were slightly less knowledgeable about national affairs than Republicans and men. See the full story at Editor and Publisher.com.....
http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003571876

This Rochester Democrat and Chronicle Editorial leaves no doubt about how the paper feels the legislature should conduct business this session.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070417/OPINION04/704170307/1041/OPINION

Reform and Repent

Two different issues are explored in the newspapers listed below.

This Utica Observer Dispatch editorial lays out some issues that should be addressed in Albany this year and suggests that people can get the ball rolling April 23 in Albany at "Reform NY Day." Read more below.
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070413/NEWS05/704130305/1013

and finally..
Unless you have been out of the country or hiding in a cave this past week, you have likely heard about and been talking about two highly charged situations. Here is one interesting take on the two.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opklu135168735apr13,0,6857088.column?coll=ny-viewpoints-headlines

Politics and more

This Newsday Editorial says Federal and State officials need to come to an agreement over health insurance for children.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpkid055158550apr05,0,1749864.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines

Much reporting on the war in Iraq refers to the political and economic costs, but there is another cost that we can not forget for a moment.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/04/05/2007-04-05_a_death_in_the_family.html

Politics is still all about the money, as Jacob Gershman illustrates in this NY Sun article.
http://www.nysun.com/article/51854?page_no=1

Spitzer Rolled?

This NY Post Editorial suggests that Governor Spitzer was outfoxed by Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver in this year's budget negotiations.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/04032007/news/regionalnews/back_from_the_dead_brunos_budget_boast_regionalnews_.htm

Joe Mahoney of the NY Daily News says the legislature went hog wild and added millions in pork to the late state budget in the final hours of negotiations.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2007/04/03/2007-04-03_pols_pigged_out_for_170m_11thhour_spendi.html

Grant Reeher, of Syracuse University offers some insight into why the budget process is flawed and how to fix it in this Syracuse Post Standard opinion piece.
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/117559127064350.xml&coll=1

Moment of Truth?

NY Daily News columnist Bill Hammond has thrown down the gauntlet. In this column, Hammond essentially tells governor Spitzer that it's time to put up or shut up in the budget battle. Will the Governor stick to his guns and keep spending down or will he allow the legislature to add additional spending? Read Hammond's advice to the Governor at the link below.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2007/03/27/2007-03-27_eliot_bare_your_teeth.html

This Editorial in the Utica Observer-Dispatch says that it is looking more and more like politics as usual in Albany. Read more below.
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070327/NEWS05/703270304/1013

NYS Budget News

Barbara Crosier, Vice President, Government Relati0ns for CP of NYS, offers these news accounts from across the state in an effort to provide some perspective on the current situation in Albany. For more information about legislative issues important to people with disabilities call Ms. Crosier at (518) 436-0178.

Deal Floated On Health Spending
Spitzer Aboard Plan For Cost-Of-Living Boost And An End To Tax For Hospitals, But Downstate Groups Object
by JAMES M. ODATO, Albany Times Union March 21, 2007

ALBANY -- Gov. Eliot Spitzer and the Healthcare Association of New York Tuesday floated a potential settlement to the health care funding wars that would add about $300 million to Spitzer's budget.

Although the deal was unacceptable to a downstate hospital group and its union allies, some parties in the negotiations saw the proposal as a positive step.

A handshake on health care spending could advance other areas of the budget, although Senate Majority Leader Joseph L. Bruno was holding firm to his conference's demands for greater education funding to ensure Long Island's traditional share of school aid. Bruno also was touting the need for an across-the-board tax rebate program not tied to income levels, as Spitzer's STAR expansion program is designed.

As for the health care deal, some parties were optimistic.

"We've continued discussions with the Assembly, Senate and governor and we are close to a conceptual agreement," said William VanSlyke, a spokesman for HANYS. "But the devil's in details."

People apprised of the deal said the plan calls for providing hospitals 75 percent of the 2.5 percent cost-of-living increase they have been counting on. Spitzer has proposed no increase and a freeze on rates paid hospitals and nursing homes.

The deal would be worth $136.5 million, half from the state and half from federal aid for hospitals.

Also, Spitzer would agree to let the gross receipts tax on hospitals expire, as scheduled, at the end of this month, saving hospitals $136.9 million. Spitzer had proposed extending the tax and freezing rates as part of his $1.3 billion in cuts to the industry.

A deal with hospitals on providing an inflationary rate hike likely would lead to one for nursing homes, too.

Spitzer still could declare victory because he would hold to his policy of redirecting Medicaid funds to hospitals based on the actual number of Medicaid patients they care for.

Kenneth Raske, president of the Greater New York Hospital Association, said he is aware of HANYS' meeting with Spitzer's aides. The plan, he said, would benefit upstate hospitals more than downstate ones.

The Assembly Democrats' budget plan, which restored all of the cost-of-living adjustment and killed the gross receipts tax, would benefit downstate hospitals by tens of millions of dollars more.

Jennifer Cunningham, a lobbyist for Local 1199 of the Service Employees International Union, said downstate hospitals would lose $110 million if HANYS' plan replaces the Assembly Democrats' proposal. "HANYS does not speak for 265,000 health care workers of 1199," she said.

The HANYS deal takes $24 million that would normally be used for graduate medical education, largely in New York City hospitals, and redirects it upstate.

The HANYS plan would be about $74 million less expensive than the Assembly plan and much less costly than the Senate's proposal to restore more than half the cuts Spitzer seeks, a source familiar with the deal said.

News of the talks came amid little other progress on the budget. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco and Bruno met publicly with Spitzer on Tuesday morning. Spitzer and Silver said Bruno's budget plan adds $3.2 billion to the governor's $120.6 billion budget proposal and wrongly assumes the state will have nearly $5 billion more in available funds for budgeting.

"Five billion dollars is not real," Silver said.

Bruno said Senate Republicans historically have been better at estimating revenues. He complained that conference committees now under way have been a joke because Bruno, Silver, Smith and Tedisco haven't met to set guidelines on spending.

"They've been playing ring-around-the-rosy," Bruno said in an attempt to get the leaders to meet with him.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/storyprint.asp?StoryID=573789
----------------
Budget Debate Exposes Rifts
In Contentious Capitol Conference, Silver, Spitzer Blast Senate Majority Leader Over His Tax Cut Plans
by DAN JANISON Newsday March 21, 2007

ALBANY - Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who had been playing a relatively low-key role in the annual state budget battle, emerged yesterday to close ranks with Gov. Eliot Spitzer by attacking the Senate's proposals for taxes, school spending and Medicaid.

Spitzer and Silver, the state's top Democrats, prodded and lectured Senate Republican Majority Leader Joseph Bruno across the table during a contentious Capitol budget conference, exposing wide rifts over a $120-plus-billion budget just 11 days before the fiscal year ends.

….But Bruno contested warnings of future deficits, noting that these were predicted in prior years but never materialized. He defended his proposals for more sweeping restorations to hospitals and nursing homes slashed in Spitzer's budget and for more aid to suburban school districts. Silver has proposed more modest restorations in those areas.

Bruno accused Silver of playing partisan politics. "We used to partner," he said. "Where are you now? What happened? Oh. We have a Democratic governor ... That's OK. I understand politics."

He said state aid to public schools is proportionally less for Long Island than under the formula that Spitzer proposes to change. "You drive 8 percent of your school aid to the Island," he said. "There's 17 percent of the students there. We've always given them 13 percent. Those are the highest-taxed people."

Spitzer said: "Your budget would send money to those school districts that ... are not the high-needs districts."

------------
Spitzer Moving To Isolate GOP's Bruno
BY JACOB GERSHMAN – New York Sun March 21, 2007

ALBANY — With the help of Assembly Democrats, Governor Spitzer is tightening the screws on the Republican Senate majority leader, Joseph Bruno, whose increasingly lonely position in budget negotiations could force him to succumb to the governor's demands on health care, education, and taxes.

At a feisty negotiation session in the executive chamber, Mr. Spitzer and the Assembly speaker, Sheldon Silver, ganged up on the 77-year-old silver-haired Senate leader, who is battling to restore the entirety of the governor's proposed Medicaid cuts, pour more money into Long Island school districts, and substitute in a property tax relief plan that does not exclude wealthier homeowners.

Mr. Bruno came under attack from multiple directions: Messrs. Spitzer and Silver; the Republican Assembly minority leader, James Tedisco; the Democratic Senate minority leader, Malcolm Smith, and the Democratic lieutenant governor, David Paterson, each criticized Mr. Bruno for proposing a budget they said was unrealistically high.

"What I'm saying to you, Joe, is that it's time to make those tough decisions," Mr. Spitzer said.

...Maintaining calm, Mr. Bruno refused to budge and insisted his spending plan was affordable, arguing that Albany annually underestimates its available revenues. Spitzer administration officials calculated Mr. Bruno's spending plan at just under $124 billion, more than $3 billion more than the Senate's estimate, which does not include money spent on giving rebates to homeowners.

The governor proposed a budget of $120.6 billion, and the Assembly came out with a plan totaling $121.2 billion.

Mr. Bruno defended the Senate's efforts to eliminate the governor's proposed $1 billion in cuts to hospitals and nursing homes, saying that slashing Medicaid funds doesn't "represent reform."

He said Mr. Spitzer's plan to slightly increase New York City's share of public school funding would unfairly punish Long Island schools, which are receiving more money but a smaller slice of the pie.

He argued that much of his proposed new spending helped businesses and residents by lowering taxes for more people and blocking Mr. Spitzer's plans to close a variety of tax loopholes. "If you want to count that as spending … then we're big spenders," Mr. Bruno said.

....In the Pataki era, Mr. Bruno was ensconced in the role of middleman and no-nonsense dealmaker, playing off the vulnerabilities of the governor and the intransigence of Mr. Silver. With a Democratic governor in power, Mr. Bruno has had to assume the role that Mr. Silver played so well, the odd man out.

While Mr. Silver famously used a stubborn stance to wrench concessions from Governor Pataki, Mr. Bruno is finding it difficult to exploit the same tactic of delay. One problem for the majority leader is that Mr. Silver — eager to mend his relationship with Mr. Spitzer after defying him during the comptroller search — has decided to abandon Mr. Bruno and ally himself with the governor.

"Last year we partnered," Mr. Bruno told Mr. Silver. "The year before we partnered. Where are you now? What's happened?"

Albany lawmakers said yesterday it was possible that Mr. Spitzer and Mr. Silver could pass a two-way budget, putting even more pressure on Mr. Bruno to compromise.

Mr. Bruno also must watch out for Mr. Spitzer gaining an advantage by picking off votes from his conference, which holds a slim two-seat majority in the Senate. Mr. Spitzer suggested yesterday that he was in talks with other Republican senators.

Also, a late budget could hurt Mr. Bruno more than Mr. Spitzer, whose popularity among voters and his support from other lawmakers would make it easier for him to pin the blame for delays on the veteran Senate leader.

Mr. Spitzer, who has said he would not hesitate to prolong negotiations into April and beyond if he doesn't get the concessions he wants, would likely use a breakdown in talks to batter Mr. Bruno, giving his conference bad publicity at a time when its trying to preserve control.

Albany has just started getting accustomed to passing its budgets on time after annually missing the April 1 deadline between 1985 and 2004, a streak of gridlock that had come to symbolize Albany's disarray.

"The issue of an on-time budget is not going to be a significant factor in what happens here," a top adviser to Mr. Spitzer, Lloyd Constantine, told The New York Sun. "If you've got a threat, and they say make my day, then the threat has been substantially taken away."

Lawmakers outside Mr. Bruno's conference described the Republican Senate's position as a lose-lose situation: "He's either seen as a big caver or seen as doing business as usual," a Democratic state senator and former minority leader, Martin Connor, said.

http://www.nysun.com/pf.php?id=50847
--------------

Spitzer, Senate, Assembly Budget Proposals
Associated Press March 19, 2007

ALBANY, N.Y. -- Here's a breakdown of the budget proposals that Democratic Gov. Eliot Spitzer and legislative leaders hope to resolve by the April 1 deadline to adopt a state budget.

The major differences include:

OVERALL BUDGET
_Spitzer proposed a $120.6 billion budget in January. That's an increase of 7.8 percent _ more than twice the inflation rate _ but still less than the current budget that increased state funds by 11.2 percent. Spitzer and legislative leaders have since agreed updated revenue forecasts provide another $575 million to work with.
_The Assembly's Democratic majority proposes a $121.2 billion budget.
_The Senate's Republican majority proposes additions that Spitzer's Division of Budget say add up to $3 billion. But Senate Republicans say the difference is really $1 billion, because they don't count tax rebate checks returning revenues to taxpayers as spending.

EDUCATION
_Spitzer proposes $1.4 billion in additional funding and would direct far more to high-needs schools, although every district would get at least a 3 percent increase. State school aid currently is about $17 billion. This would be the first installment of Spitzer's plan to increase annual school aid by $7 billion by 2010-11.
_Assembly Democrats supports Spitzer's plan, but would increase it by $532 million over four years for pre-kindergarten for every child in the state by 2010-11.
_Senate Republicans would add $358 million to Spitzer's school aid proposal, but would restore the state's practice of "shares." That would make sure low- and medium-needs districts _ which often face the highest local school taxes _ get a larger share of the increase than under Spitzer's plan.

HEALTH
_Spitzer would cut nearly $1.4 billion in Medicaid and other health care spending, much of it which had been directed to large hospitals and nursing homes. Instead, he hopes to redirect funding to less expensive at-home and community-based care that emphasizes preventive care to avoid more expensive emergency room care.
_Assembly Democrats would restore $483.3 million in the cuts, but maintain most of Spitzer's reforms and cuts.
_Senate Republicans would restore $544 million in Medicaid and health spending, much of it directed to hospitals which senators note are major employers in their communities. Hospitals say they can't afford the cuts. The Senate GOP said it agrees with almost half of Spitzer's reforms.

TAXES
_Spitzer calls for $1.5 billion in state aid to subsidize local property tax relief as the first installment on a three-year, $6 billion plan targeted to help middle class homeowners most. For example, an upstate middle class family making $60,000 or less with a $640 STAR savings now would see that grow to $1,152 this year. The income level and savings would grow for middle class families in New York City and its suburbs.
_Assembly Democrats support Spitzer's plan.
_Senate Republicans would instead provide $2.6 billion in tax relief checks directly to taxpayers. That would triple the amount of checks this year to about $500 to $600 to most taxpayers and $800 to over $1,000 to senior citizens. The Senate Republicans also call for $723 million in tax breaks for manufacturers and small businesses.

SOURCES: Governor's office, Senate and Assembly majorities.

News and opinions

This article by Jacob Gershman in the NY Sun indicates that Governor Spitzer may be near an agreement that will bring HANYS on board in support of his health care plan.
http://www.nysun.com/article/50758


Governor's budget plan could help community health care programs, says Reporter Cathleen Crowley in this Albany Times-Union article.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=573468&category=STATE&newsdate=3/20/2007


Rochester businessman Joseph Klein offers his view of how to jump-start the Upstate economy in this Rochester Democrat and Chronicle opinion piece.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070320/OPINION02/703200329/1039/OPINION

Capitol Doings

This NY Post editorial seems designed to widen the already large rift between Governor Spitzer and Senate Majority leader Joe Bruno. click on the link below for more on the struggle for power in Albany.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03152007/postopinion/editorials/no_more_mr__nice_guy_editorials_.htm

This blog entry by James Odato of the Albany Time-Union outlines a plan by some in the State Senate to force HMOs to reinvest in local communities.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/?p=4067

Who is right?

People receiving services at home will appreciate changes in health care funding proposed by Governor Eliot Spitzer say Trilby De Jung and and Chris Hilderbrant in this Rochester Democrat and Chronicle opinion piece.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/OPINION02/703130328/1039/OPINION


However, Governor Spitzer errs in pressuring hospitals to do more with less say Mark Clement, Steve Goldstein and Tim McCormick in this piece.
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070313/OPINION02/703130329/1039/OPINION

Dental Dilema

The article at the link below tells the story of a family that lost Medicaid coverage, then lost a son because they couldn't afford dental care. Read more below.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17372104/

As others view it

Governor Spitzer calls ads by union and hospital association misleading and self serving. You can read the governor's statement by clicking on the link below.
http://www.nysnys.net/cgi-bin/php4.cgi/nysnys/database/Database.html?ArticleId=1172180406&UserName=breid&token=1172173672

The Utica Observer Dispatch Editorial below gives Governor Spitzer points for his reform bill, but says Spitzer must make the process public and abandon the old style Albany politics.
http://www.uticaod.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070220/NEWS05/702200316/1013

Comptroller Vote First Shot in Long Battle

Some views on the Comptroller vote and other goings on in Albany are available at the links below.

Comptroller Vote turning Point in Governor’s relationship with the Legislature, says Robert Cristo in this Troy Record article. Click on the link below to read more.
http://www.troyrecord.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17824253&BRD=1170&PAG=461&dept_id=7021&rfi=6

This Editorial in the Auburn Citizen newspaper says Assembly made wrong decision.
http://www.auburnpub.com/articles/2007/02/07/news/opinion/our_view/ourview01.txt

This Newsday Editorial says that Comptroller process was flawed, but the Assembly picked a good candidate.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpcom085084619feb08,0,7451491.story?coll=ny-editorials-headlines

State Senate Minority Leader says his party could be in majority soon, according to this Elizabeth Benjamin article in the Albany Times-Union. Click the link below for more.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=561386&category=STATE&newsdate=2/8/2007

Spitzer Setting Tone

Governor Eliot Spitzer previews his reordering of priorities, highlight changes he would like to see made in health care and education in this NY Daily News Opinion piece. Read more by clicking on the link below.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/492793p-415085c.html

Governor Looks to Save on Health Care

Governor Spitzer is expected to make some major adjustments to the funding of health care in his first budget. The link below will take you to a NY Times article that looks at some of what the governor is expected to say.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/26/nyregion/26albany.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

The Governor will deliver a speech about his Education Priorities Monday afternoon which .

Tough issues face upstate

New governor faces tough sell trying to keep upstate college grads from leaving NY. Read more by clicking on the link below.

http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=556349&category=BUSINESS&newsdate=1/23/2007

Consolidating government services is an issue that receives a lot of lip service, but is difficult to actually accomplish. Read about one effort below.

http://www.nyjournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070123/OPINION/701230315/1015/OPINION01

Looking to the Future

New York City will not have to fingerprint Medicaid recipients, says Spitzer. Read more by clicking on the link below.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01172007/news/regionalnews/fingerprint_flip_on_medicaid_id_regionalnews_carl_campanile.htm

Below is one person's challenge to Governor Spitzer to seize the opportunity to make New York's Educational system inclusive and relevant for all children. Click the link below to read more.
http://www.timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=554475&TextPage=1

New York Views

Two links below will take you to some interesting thoughts. The third is a lighthearted look at how we think others look at upstate folks....

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-uspete165054228jan16,0,6035188.story?coll=ny-uspolitics-headlines


http://www.nypost.com/seven/01152007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_tax_cuts_new_york_needs_opedcolumnists_chris_edwards.htm

Finally;
Sometimes Upstate gets a bad rap and needs a neophyte to come to the rescue.
http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/opinion-1/116868278960120.xml&coll=1

Universal Health Care and more

Senator Edward Kennedy called for Health care for every American during Senate Hearing. read more in the Houston Chronicle story below.
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/politics/4461461.html

Bill Hammond of the NY Daily News makes a pitch for his own Comptroller candidate in this opinion piece. Read more by clicking on the link below.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/487512p-410514c.html

Click on the link below to read a Syracuse Post-Standard article about one village mayor who is risking his political career to push the discussion about consolidating government services to save money. There has been a good deal of discussion about this topic in municipalities across the state in recent years, but you might be surprised at the people who present the strongest opposition to consolidation. Read more...
http://www.syracuse.com/opinion/poststandard/editorials/index.ssf?/base/opinion-1/1168336716151080.xml&coll=1

Wheels Turn in Albany

Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco is proposing radical changes in the process of awarding Member Items, reports the Albany Times-Union.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=552259&category=REGION&newsdate=1/10/2007

Governor Eliot Spitzer has not been able to get his two latest candidates to agree to accept the Comptroller job. Two high profile leaders, both highly paid women, don't want the hassles of working in Albany, according to this Fred Dicker article in the NY Post.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/01102007/news/regionalnews/eliot_loses_comptrol_as_top_picks_say_no_regionalnews_fredric_u__dicker.htm

Directly to the people

Governor Eliot Spitzer is not wasting time with the Albany Political Elite, but instead is going straight to the people with this Op-Ed piece in the NY Post. Click on the link below to read more.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092007/postopinion/opedcolumnists/new_yorks_perfect_storm_opedcolumnists_eliot_spitzer.htm

Hero fits in this case

This NY Post editorial is right on. The word hero has been used way too frequently since 9/11 so that we are no longer sure exactly what a hero is. I'm not sure I fully understand the accepted definition of hero anymore, but I'll know one when I see one. Wesley Autrey fits the definition; anybody's definition. If you have been in a cave this week and missed this story, click on the link below and brighten your day.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01052007/postopinion/editorials/a_true_new_york_hero_editorials_.htm

Lawsuit to keep Bronx hospital open, for now

This James Mulder article in the Syracuse Post-Standard says that a State Supreme Court Judge has temporarily halted the closing of a Bronx Hospital targeted for closure by the state. Read the story, which could have statewide impact, at the link below.

http://www.syracuse.com/business/poststandard/index.ssf?/base/business-6/1167991424240410.xml&coll=1

Just say no

Newsday Columnist James Klurfeld is hoping that Spitzer can change the culture of Albany Politics. Read his column by clicking on the link below.

http://www.newsday.com/news/printedition/opinion/ny-opklu055039968jan05,0,6072005.column?coll=ny-opinion-print

The State of the State

Governor Spitzer's State of the State Address yesterday was bold and ambitious and offered lots of promises. The links below give some reactions to the speech and some odds on how much he will be able to accomplish.

http://www.upstateblog.net/

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/ideas_opinions/story/485386p-408664c.html

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070104/OPINION04/701040345/1041/OPINION

Arming the Governor

Douglas Cunningham,business editor of the Times Herald-Record in Orange County, offers this straight-forward opinion on Eliot Spitzer and his avowed campaign to clean up Albany. Read this interesting take on the new governor by clicking on the link below.

http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070101/NEWS/701010318

The Post Weighs In

This NY Post article by Fred Dicker and Kenneth Lovett says Eliot Spitzer will hold politicians' feet to the fire. Read more by clicking on the link below.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/01022007/news/regionalnews/spitz_in_face_of_corruption_regionalnews_fredric_u__dicker_______and_kenneth_lovett________post_correspondents.htm