Assembly Will Barclay

January is selected for two reasons. First, during January fewer people donate because of the cold and flu season and inclement weather. Second, given that many people make resolutions in January, the American Red Cross hopes people will consider making a New Year’s resolution to become regular blood donors.

There seems to be a substantial amount of confusion as to what effect the newly enacted Federal Tax bill will have on residents of New York state. The confusion stems from the fact that (i) taxes are complicated, (ii) what people pay in taxes depends on individual circumstances, and (iii) the political rhetoric about the tax bill and its effects has been misleading and in certain cases inaccurate. In order to understand the effects the federal tax legislation will have on New Yorkers, there needs to be a general understanding of how the federal income tax system works.

After a baby is born, hospitals perform a variety of screenings for the baby. Some tests are completed by a physical exam or through the use of a medical device at the hospital, but many genetic disorders can only be detected with a blood sample. In an attempt to help minimize the effects of some genetic disorders, in 1965 New York began the Newborn Screening Program. Since then, millions of babies have been tested and thousands have been identified and treated for their disease.

Finances are obviously a big consideration when it comes to higher education and with good reason. Costs have risen dramatically. The average cost of attending a four-year public college in 1980 was $7,770 (in today’s dollars). Today these average costs have increased to more than $20,000 a year.

New Yorkers consistently rank public safety high on the list of importance so it is good news that in 2016, the number of crimes in the state reached an all-time low. In addition, the crime rate in New York has steadily declined since 1990 with few exceptions. According to the latest data compiled by the state’s Division of Criminal Justice Services and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, New York was the sixth most violent state in 1994, but today it is the safest large state in the nation.

Most people’s medicine cabinets contain either expired or unwanted over-the-counter and/or prescription drugs. With the rise in prescription drug abuse, in particular opioids, keeping these medications in the home isn’t safe. Fortunately, thanks to recent federal, state, and local efforts, more opportunities have been created to help people safely dispose of unwanted drugs.

In an emergency where minutes are critical, medical professionals sometimes determine that patients need to be airlifted to a hospital rather than transported by traditional ambulance. This is particularly true in rural areas, where emergency rooms can be hundreds of miles away. During these occasions, decisions need to be made quickly and the last thing EMT personnel and the patient are thinking about is how much the air transportation is going to cost and how will the cost be paid. Unfortunately, situations have arisen where patients who have utilized an air ambulance get the unwelcome surprise of receiving a huge bill (often exceeding $50,000) for the service.

Americans have a long history of volunteering and hold community service as a hallmark of civic life. Militias that formed during the Revolutionary War and our country’s first fire departments, for example, were made possible by volunteers who saw a need and organized to serve a cause. People through the ages at their own accord have volunteered for the greater good. At no time is this honored tradition of volunteerism more evident in our country than during the holiday season.

There are a number of roads in rural areas in our state that do not see a lot of traffic. Despite the low volume of use, towns are required to maintain roads to state specifications even if the road does not lead to a house, camp, or business. This translates into large and often unnecessary expenses for taxpayers.