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.
With less than a month to go before the April 1 state budget deadline, state legislators, party conferences, interest groups and other constituencies are making a final push to influence what is included in this year’s state budget. Topics like a $15 minimum wage, paid family leave and so-called ethics reform have dominated state news.
There are programs locally that help adults prepare to enter or re-enter the workforce. WEP is one such program that assists people who are on public assistance gain further employment and job skills. It’s one of the many programs managed by the local department of social services offices in conjunction with employment and training offices that assists people in gaining valuable job skills, help with job readiness training, placement services, and job searches.
New York State is home to nearly 900,000 veterans. They are our neighbors, our family, and our friends. There are many organizations that proudly assist our veterans as a way to thank them for their service and show gratitude for their many sacrifices. One such agency is the Disabled American Veterans Transportation Network.
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