Oswego County TodayPoliticsFREE Independent News for Oswego County

Let Full Legislature Decide on Education Proposals Outside of Budget

February 23, 2015 Contributor

The second biggest budget item in the state budget is education, which is right behind healthcare. Last year, the state spent $22.3 billion on education. In 2012, combined with the local and federal share of education, New Yorkers spent $58.4 billion on public education. This is a 56% increase over what was spent on a combined basis in 2002. This year, the Governor proposes to spend $23.14 billion on education. This represents a $1.1 billion increase over last year.

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Kids, Not Cuts!

February 17, 2015 Contributor

As state senator, I’ve been working hard to support our region’s students. One of the major things I have been focused on accomplishing is ending the “Gap Elimination Adjustment;” a budget gimmick commonly known as the “GEA,” which has cost schools across New York State upwards of $8 billion since its implementation.

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Vaccines Important to Public Health

February 16, 2015 Contributor

There have been a number of national and local news stories reporting on the increased cases of measles. The cases have primarily been located in California. However, nationally, the number of cases of measles in the U.S. grew to 635 in 2014, more than the past four years combined, according to the Centers for Disease Control. In New York, there were three confirmed cases of measles this year. Other preventable diseases also made a comeback in recent years.

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Fighting For What Matters To You

February 10, 2015 Contributor

As State Senator, it’s my job to represent the interests and opinions of the thousands of constituents who reside in the 48th Senate District. As I work to improve our region by creating jobs, boosting the economy, supporting our schools, cutting taxes and more, it’s imperative that I learn about what matters to you. In an effort to do just that, last December I launched my 2015 Legislative Survey.

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New Health Tax Included in Budget; Debate Over Ethics Needs To Be Had

February 9, 2015 Contributor

We have heard a lot from the Governor’s office about the success of New York’s Health Exchange. The exchange was set up pursuant to ObamaCare which mandates that all Americans obtain health insurance. The exchanges, which are either set up by individual states or by the federal government (when a state decides not to opt into the program), are, in theory, supposed to provide a market for people to purchase health insurance. New York, pursuant to an executive order of the Governor, set up its own exchange. Compared to other states and to the federal government’s system, New York’s exchange has had fewer reported problems.

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Planting Seeds To Grow Our Agriculture Industry

February 3, 2015 Contributor

From the food we eat to the beverages we drink, agriculture is at the root of it all. And, as recent numbers have shown, the industry is poised for even greater growth in 2015. According to the USDA, New York State set a sales record in 2013, with cash receipts from livestock, crops and other products totaling nearly $5.7 billion. That’s up from $5.5 billion the year prior. Contributing to this growth are a number of new advancements made in 2014.

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With New Speaker Comes Opportunity for Meaningful Reform

February 2, 2015 Contributor

Long-time serving Speaker of the Assembly, Sheldon Silver, has been arrested for public corruption. After initially standing by Silver, claiming, amazingly, that his arrest will not be a distraction, members the NYC-dominated Democrat majority in the Assembly finally came to their senses and realized that supporting Silver was a politically tenuous position and that a new Speaker must be elected. In the days that followed, a number of Democratic Assembly members, exclusively from NYC, with the exception of one, announced their candidacy to replace Silver.

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Working To Build A Better New York

January 27, 2015 Contributor

For the past several weeks, my colleagues and I have been digging in and getting to work at the Capitol; laying the groundwork for what I know will be a productive Legislative Session that builds upon our prior work to create more and better opportunities for the people of our state.

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Governor’s Budget Provides Starting Point for Negotiations; Overshadowed by Albany Controversy

January 26, 2015 Contributor

Last week, the Governor presented his State of the State address. This annual tradition, much like the President’s State of Union address, is an opportunity for the Governor to set forth his priorities for the upcoming state legislative session. The State of the State address is usually in the beginning of January but this year it was appropriately delayed due to the passing of the Governor’s father. If you didn’t hear much about the State of the State, it is because the day after the State of the State address long-term State Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver was arrested for public corruption.

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Halting Human Trafficking In New York State

January 20, 2015 Contributor

When it comes to crimes, there are few more heinous than human trafficking; a modern-day form of slavery where men, women and children are illegally traded or used against their will for exploitation or commercial gain. The number of people affected by human trafficking is staggering, as it’s estimated that more than 1,000 individuals in New York State are victims of the crime each year.

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