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