This sounds familiar

NYS Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is the latest Albany politican who dares to suggest reform in state budget process.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20090515/NEWS01/905150391/1116/DiNapoli++State+budget+missed+mark

Too bad almost nobody cares

NY Daily News Columnist Bill Hammond hits the nail (Pols in Albany) on the head; again.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/hammond/index.html

Ugly in Albany

The political jockeying involved in getting the MTA bailout bill passed in the state legislature revealed again that NYC politicians control state government and the rest of the state better beware.

This Journal News article says that most legislators from the lower Hudson Valley opposed the MTA Bill, though some voted for it.
http://www.lohud.com/article/2009905070416

A NY Daily News editorial on the subject blasts the inept leadership in Albany while wrongly supporting the final bailout bill which imposes onerous payroll taxes on non-profits and other businesses in the downstate region.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/05/07/2009-05-07_downright_lousy_masstransit_rescue_shows_albany_at_its_worst.html

This Newsday editorial says MTA deal again shows the utter lack of statesmanship and good government in Albany.
http://www.newsday.com/news/opinion/ny-vpmta0712738119may06,0,3638917.story

Bloomy blows it

This NY Times article recounts an unpleasant encounter between a blogger with a disability and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg at a news conference.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/17/nyregion/17bloomberg.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion

This would not be a big issue, except for the fact that Bloomberg reportedly showed little patience when the blogger's tape recorder began playing and distracted the mayor during his remarks. Blogger Michael Harris was insulted and embarrassed by Bloomberg's tirade and you could argue that Harris may have overreacted a bit.

A member of the mayor's staff did little to diffuse the situation with remarks he made later. The staff member pointed out that Bloomberg's office has been accommodating to Harris in the past by providing him special transportation, which is very nice and above and beyond what would be done for other reporters covering the mayor. Patting the mayor on the back for making sure that wheelchair access is available at official events is a bit over the top, however. We can't wait to see Bloomberg's staff praise the mayor for making sure that there is a Malt Box and electrical power at the next news conference so that TV and radio reporters are afforded access.

They fiddle, we burn

Legislative leaders and the governor are struggling to put together a budget amid typical political posturing and at least some in New York are fed up with the inaction in the capital.
One proposal to bail out the Metropolitan Transportation Authority called for a payroll tax on downstate businesses. That would hurt schools, non-profits and taxpayers who support those organizations without asking for any sacrifices of the MTA.

The links below take you to a couple of stories about the budget process in Albany.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/04/02/2009-04-02_express_to_doomsday_senate_democrats_del.html

http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20090403/OPINION01/904030309/1004/opinion

20th Congressional race heats up

Elizabeth Benjamin, of the NY Daily News, gives Scott Murphy's first TV ad a positive review and suggests that his large political war chest is the reason he got the nod over other Democrats to face off against Republican Jim Tedisco in the special election to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in the 20th Congressional District. Gillibrand proved last fall that a well-known candidate can beat a newcomer with lots of money. Tedisco, a tireless self-promoter, has a big early edge and may be tough to beat.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/

The Albany Times-Union political blog reversed the order and posted Tedisco's five-minute web campaign spot ahead of the the shorter Murphy spot.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/

Former ethics watchdog David Grandeau shows he is still willing to nip at the heals of statewide politicians in this Associated Press article by Valerie Bauman.
http://www.syracuse.com/state/index.ssf?/base/news-30/1234292986234550.xml&storylist=state

Related stories?

NY Daily News Columnist Bill Hammond chronicles some of the lowest of the lowlights of NYS government in 2008. And we continue to elect these people....why?
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/12/30/2008-12-30_in_2008_albany_pols_were_even_more_of_an-2.html

This Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin editorial raises an interesting idea by suggesting that NYS raise the cost of fines for illegal activities as a means of closing the budget gaps. See story above.
http://www.pressconnects.com/article/20081230/OPINION01/812300313/1005/OPINION

Senate seats and budgets

Are we finally coming to the realization that too much experience in political life ought to be viewed as a liability rather than an asset?
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081218/OPINION/812180304

Johnathan Tasini weighs in on Governor Paterson's budget proposal with a slightly more strident voice.
http://www.workinglife.org/blogs/view_post.php?post_id=1850

Budgets and Politics

This Saratoga Today article by Adam T. Rossi asks upstate leaders if their region is adequately represented.
http://www.saratoga.com/today/2008/12/whos-working-for-upstate.html

According to Elizabeth Benjamin in this NY Daily News Blog, most New Yorkers favor an increase in taxes for state residents earning more than $2000,000 a year.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/

This NY Times article by Danny Hakim and Jeremy Peters offers a sneak peak at the Governor's doom and gloom executive budget scheduled to be released December 16.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/15/nyregion/15budget.html?_r=2&hp

Politics and budgets take center stage

Looking at the top two stories below you have to wonder; will the millions of upstate residents have a voice and will the economy of the counties north and west of the Hudson ever get the attention needed to stem the decline of the past 20 years?


There seems to be both good and bad in NYS Senate deal, according to this NY Times article.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/nyregion/05senate.html?_r=1&adxnnl=1&ref=nyregion&adxnnlx=1228491817-CSvzRe4AKmqu1MidX7DYYg


Could this op-ed piece in the Times Herald Record be intended to help position Rep. Carolyn Maloney as Hillary Clinton's replacement?
http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081205/OPINION/812050324

This story from Karen DeWitt says that the public employee Unions are trying to be positive , for now, in the discussion about possible state budget cuts.
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/wxxi/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1431478&sectionID=1

Athletes with disabilities

The link below takes you to an online video by the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange (NCDE) featuring athletes with disabilities who turned a passion for competition into a life-changing experience abroad. The organization promotes opportunities for athletes with disabilities to compete abroad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3tzjIZNXRw

Ugly in Albany

NY Daily News columnist Bill Hammond says that a little acrimony from the governor may be the way to get the legislature to make budget cuts. Others contend that the Spitzer method is the wrong way to go.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/11/18/2008-11-18_time_for_gov_david_paterson_to_get_tough.html

This Irene Jay Liu article in the Albany Times-Union says that a recent Siena College poll of New Yorkers shows that they want state government to cut spending, but they can't decide what it is that they want to cut.
http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=740803&category=REGION

Political blogger Jimmy Vielkind suggests that Paterson and Skelos are playing a dangerous game of chicken and political gotcha.
http://www.politickerny.com/jimmyvielkind/649/budget-breakdown-skelos-frustrates-paterson-thunders

Follow the money

The lead article in this Albany Times-Union political blog gives an interesting analysis of who is giving money to which politicians in Albany and why.
http://blogs.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/9211

This Daily News blog entry by Elizabeth Benjamin suggests that a lot of familiar names, including Andrew Cuomo, are being mentioned to replace Senator Hillary Clinton if she becomes U.S. Secretary of State.
http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/

Buckle up for a bumpy budget ride in Albany

This Newsday article says public unions in NY refuse to consider concessions in the face of major financial crisis.
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--statebudget1110nov10,0,537217.story

NY Daily News Coumnist Bill Hammond rips legislature, public unions for offering no help in combating fiscal calamity.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/11/11/2008-11-11_cowards_in_assembly_senate_fail_fiscal_l.html

Scarecrows and Lions

This Fred Dicker column in the NY Post reveals State leaders' fears that government will grind to a halt if there is a tie in State Senate.
Two questions:
1. Is that necessarily a bad thing?
2. Wouldn't this mean that Senators would actually have to vote on the merits of a particular piece of legislation rather than blindly following the orders of the party leader?

http://www.nypost.com/seven/08112008/news/columnists/pols_fearing_a_senate_tie_bind_123957.htm

Money crunch

The links below will take you to three stories about New York's fiscal crisis.

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newyork/ny-bc-ny--patersonrising0807aug07,0,3264380.story

http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080808/NEWS02/808080387/1026/NEWS10

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/409783.html

Are this guy's 15 minutes up

As with most radio talk show hosts, this one often seems to care more about building ratings, inflaming his audience, focusing the spotlight on himself and making money than promoting thoughtful discussion.

Here is a link to a You Tube posting of comments about autism made by radio talk show host Michael Savage last month. http://www.emaxhealth.com/119/23332.html

Below is a response from Jawonio’s Diana Hess.
http://www.lohud.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/200808030230/OPINION/808030319

This link takes you to a long statement and links to radio clips of interviews Michale Savage has conducted regarding autism. In audio cut number 5 Savage back pedals on original comment in this discussion with Wendy Fournier, President of the National Autism Association. http://www.savageonautism.com/

Beginning to Face the Issue

Governor Paterson turns up the heat on Legislative Leaders in this NY Daily News article.
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/08/01/2008-08-01_may_hike_taxes_but_not_pols_pay__gov-2.html

The stories below provide two views of how state leaders will address the pending fiscal problems.
http://www.stargazette.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/NEWS01/808040303/1001/NEWS

http://www.nysun.com/editorials/silvers-not-buying-the-act/83104/

News 'N Views

This NY Post opinion piece by E.J. McMahon says that NYS spending, particularly on Medicaid and Education, will be the focus of fiscal debate.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/07312008/postopinion/opedcolumnists/its_the_spending_122344.htm

Governor Paterson and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley co-wrote this Washington Post Op-Ed piece calling on Feds to work with states to solve national fiscal crisis.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/07/30/AR2008073002949.html

Hillary who?
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2008/07/30/2008-07-30_her_pals_still_talk_of_hillary_clinton_f.html

Fiscal Pain

Bill Hammond, of the NY Daily News, says Paterson should follow Pataki's lead and cut taxes.
http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2008/07/28/2008-07-28_david_paterson_needs_to_channel_his_inne.html

A member of the NYS Assembly thinks he has found one way to help the state weather this fiscal crisis.
http://www.newsday.com/services/newspaper/printedition/tuesday/news/ny-nyyank295781097jul29,0,4695476.story