In 1814, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, “Defense of Fort McHenry.” The poem was later put to song and retitled “The Star Spangled Banner.” Our anthem is proudly played often at sporting events, community gatherings, and at schools throughout our country. During Memorial Day our national anthem will be heard near and far as communities gather for parades and graveside tributes.
In November of 2009, Helen Buchel and her daughter, Brittany Passalacqua, a 12-year-old girl, were brutally murdered in Geneva, NY. Helen and Brittany were killed by John Edward Brown, a violent felon whose criminal history included a conviction for assaulting his infant daughter in 2003. According to Helen’s mother, Dale Driscoll, Helen was unaware of Brown’s violent past when she became involved with him.
Our state government provides millions of dollars in funding for various agencies and infrastructure. However, it’s often the smaller investments in local programs and individuals that people notice and appreciate. Grants of less than $5,000, for example, can make a significant impact on the quality of life for residents and provide a sense of connectedness for communities through special events, music series, and public art workshops.
Flint, Michigan, has been in the news lately because dangerously high lead levels were discovered in its drinking water. Sadly, it looks as though Flint’s contaminated water could have been prevented with better oversight and management at all levels of government, but the issue cast a light on our drinking water – one of our most valuable natural resources.
In recent weeks, pinwheels have been placed in lawns around the state that are meant to serve as a reminder that child abuse is real and that more can be done to protect children. According to child protective services agencies, approximately 702,000 children in the United States were victims of child abuse or neglect in 2014 and thousands more cases go unreported.
New York is one of the most populous states in the nation, yet we continue to have one of the lowest rates of registered organ donors. April is Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of becoming a registered organ donor. The number of people on the waiting list in New York can be reduced if more people registered to become an organ donor.
State park attendance increased 5% from 2014 to 2015 bringing the estimated number of visits to 65.3 million in 2015. The state has invested in our parks for the past three years to improve everything from, entrances, barbecue pits, campground sites, playground equipment and bathroom facilities. For each $1 invested in parks, there is a cost benefit to the economy of $5.
In effort to provide the Governor and Legislative leaders the political victory of claiming the budget was passed on time, both the State Senate and Assembly worked all night on Thursday in effort to get it passed. However, due to the sheer size of the budget, its complexity and the complete lack of transparency during budget negotiations, it took the Assembly until 8 p.m. April 2 to pass the final budget bill.
March is Women’s History Month and many of the early crusaders who fought for the right to vote lived in Upstate New York. Men and women helped this cause but three Upstate women in particular, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Josyln Gage, are credited with shaping the national conversation in the mid and late 1800s, which led to Women’s Suffrage in 1920.
With less than two weeks to go before the state budget is due, one of the most contentious issues remaining is whether the state’s minimum wage should be increased to $15 an hour. This issue does not have to be included in this year’s budget, but rather could be accomplished in a standalone bill.
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