“Ethics reform” has been a buzz phrase heard in Albany and around the state a lot over the last few years and for good reason. Lately, there have been several high profile cases of wrongdoing by state officials. However, as is often the case in state politics, what is meant by “ethics reform” depends who is providing the rhetoric.
The 2014-15 New York state budget passed again on time for the fourth year in a row and we kept state operating spending at under 2% growth. The $137.9 billion spending plan contains some good news for New Yorkers but did fall short on other aspects.
According to the most recent statistics I could find, in 2012, more than 600,000 children in the United States and Puerto Rico were victims of child abuse and more than 1,500 children died as a result of abuse or neglect. Even more tragic, these are only reported cases of abuse and neglect.
State budget negotiations are taking place and the budget deadline of April 1 is nearly upon us. Each year, the Senate and the Assembly pass what they consider to be priorities in “one-house budget” resolutions. The Assembly passed its $138.4 billion one-house resolution earlier this month and the Senate passed its resolution the week before last.
Last week, the state Legislature met in joint session to elect four members to the state Board of Regents. The Board of Regents is responsible for the general supervision of all educational activities within New York State including the implementation of educational standards such as the much-maligned Common Core standards.
According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, use of illicit drugs in the United States has been increasing. In their Nationwide Trends report (updated January, 2014), in 2012 an estimated 23.9 million Americans aged 12 or older, approximately 9% of the population, had used an illicit drug or abused a psychotherapeutic medication in the past month.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Surgeon General’s report on Smoking and Health. That report was the first federal government report linking smoking to ill health, including lung cancer and heart disease. Fifty years ago, about 42% of adults smoked. Today’s rate is 18%. The lower smoking rate has saved numerous lives. Our state rate, 17%. Unfortunately, our regional smoking rate is estimated to be even higher.
Remington Arms announced last week that it will open a large manufacturing plant in Alabama. While I don’t begrudge another state from securing these high-paying manufacturing jobs, I do begrudge our own leaders for forcing the “SAFE Act” upon its people and hindering economic development right here in New York. Its passage has undoubtedly affected Remington Arms, located in Illion, NY, for more than a century, from expanding in its home state.
The Board of Regents’ decision last week to delay full implementation of the graduation requirements was welcome news but still doesn’t go far enough. Few take issue with the idea that we should raise learning standards in our schools and the idea of the Common Core is to do just that. The problem in New York and elsewhere has been with the implementation of this curriculum.
The Governor’s 2014-15 proposed budget contains, among other things, details relating to his funding and programmatic requests in regards to environmental conservation.As with much of his proposed budget, there are some good ideas and some not so great ideas in regards to environmental conservation.
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