Assembly Will Barclay

New York state’s local libraries are institutions that provide educational materials, meeting spaces, internet and computer access and a sense of community to their patrons. They are invaluable.

This week, members of the Assembly Minority Conference, led by Assemblyman Jake Ashby (R,C,I,Ref-Castleton)—a U.S. veteran—have met with veterans around the state to discuss budget cuts to counseling, job training and legal services being proposed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

New York’s “Green Light” law, which allows illegal immigrants to obtain a state driver’s license, is problematic on many levels. That it exists at all encourages individuals to illegally come to the U.S., ignore federal immigration laws and avoid seeking legitimate, sanctioned citizenship.

For years, local governments have dealt with increasingly insurmountable financial stress forced upon them by Albany.

If a store, restaurant or any organization started losing customers, people in charge would make adjustments or they’d be out of business.

This week the governor presented his $178 billion Executive Budget proposal for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.