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