There’s an understanding that many employees who get pensions have some of our state’s most important and often dangerous jobs: teachers, firefighters, and policemen. They deserve to be compensated for what they do. They teach our kids and protect our communities. But what’s there to teach and protect if we can’t afford to have kids or maintain our communities? The state can no longer afford to support these public sector pension plans.
One of the victims of the recent flooding in the Southern Tier is a company by the name of Synergy Solutions. Synergy recently announced that it is shutting its doors in Johnson City due to significant damage from Tropical Storm Lee. Synergy provides call center services for health care and business organizations and needs to [...]
It is clear that the effects of Tropical Storm Irene will be felt in our Upstate communities for some time. While all reports indicate that we were prepared for the storm, it is a reminder of how little control we humans have over Mother Nature. So now the clean-up begins.
And as if that won’t be [...]
From time to time, we take articles that are written by others and share them with you. Here is one we thought you’d like to read.
Daily News columnist Bill Hammond highlights how well intentioned “laws” ultimately cost the taxpayers more and more money each year. These well intentioned “laws” need to be addressed by the [...]
My Fellow New Yorkers,
You elected me to be your voice in Albany and to make tough decisions. Few issues are as critical to the future of our state as reforming our education system.
Right now, we rank number one in the nation in spending per student, and number 34 in student achievement. Worse still, these poor [...]
As I have been known to do from time to time on this blog, I think it is important to share what other people are saying about issues that are important to us. Today, that special guest is EJ McMahon from the Empire Center for New York State Policy (http://www.empirecenter.org/).
Please take a moment to read [...]
As the 2011 legislative session approaches, I’m sure there are more questions than answers about what will happen. New York will have a new governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general. In addition, there will be more than 35 freshman legislators within the two houses. To compound the confusion, state spending is grossly out of alignment [...]
With NYS facing a $9B+ deficit coming into 2011, it is time for the re-elected and newly elected members of the Senate and Assembly must heed the comptroller’s recommendation and lower spending, reduce taxes and fees, and stimulate private sector jobs.
For Unshackle Upstate, the 2010 elections were just the first leg of a distance race aimed at lowering taxes, reducing state spending and ending dysfunction in the New York State Legislature.
In just 11 days, on November 2nd, 212 candidates, both new and old, will be elected to the New York State legislature, 62 members to the Senate and 150 members to the Assembly. These legislative races could possibly make or break our state. It is important that you know who represents you and what THEY truly represent. It’s time to GOTV – Get Out the Vote!
