News from Albany

The Albany Times-Union Capitol Blog has reaction from the Association of Counties on Governor Spitzer's Budget and on the continuing saga of which voting machines New York will choose.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/

More taxes, more bluster, fewer residents

These entries on the Albany Times-Union's "Capitol Confidential" Blog range from a call by NYS United Teachers for raising state income taxes to plans for closing NYC OTB and laying off nearly 900 employees and of course, more squabbling and posturing by New York's political leaders. Is it any wonder that so many New Yorkers are fleeing the Empire State?

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

Don't Limit Medicaid

Democratic Lawmakers Say CMS Has No Authority To Limit State Efforts To Expand Medicaid Eligibility. Read more from Kaiser Network.org.

http://www.kaisernetwork.org/daily_reports/rep_index.cfm?DR_ID=49858

Health care, rivalry and leadership

More on the possible future structure of the health care system in New York.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--health-reimbursem0113jan13,0,6656079.story

Here is a Long Islander's view on the Upstate, Downstate competition for state dollars.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-opcro145537497jan14,0,7779182.story

This column by Jacob Gershman questions whether Governor Spitzer has what it takes to lead the state.
http://www.nysun.com/article/69452?page_no=1

What others think

Here are some day-after views of the Governor's State of the State message from around the state.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080110/NEWS01/801100332/1001/NEWS

This Jacob Gershman article in the NY Sun suggests that the budget and a looming $ 4 Billion deficit could be critical impediments to Governor Spitzer's agenda.
http://www.nysun.com/article/69239

Community leaders in Syracuse hopeful, but decided they'll wait and see.
http://www.syracuse.com/articles/news/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1199959034269070.xml&coll=1