Since the passage of Obamacare, polling consistently has shown that it is a very unpopular program with the American people. Against this backdrop, it is surprising that a number of Democratic state legislators want to go a step further than Obamacare and implement a government-run single-payer healthcare system in New York state.
When you shop at small businesses, the effects in your community are far reaching, with most of the money you spend and most of the taxes staying local. It’s estimated that for every $100 you spend at a local small business, roughly $70 goes back into your community.
School lunch purchases are on the decline. The decrease in sales coincided with the federal Health Hunger-Free Kids Act, which attempts to curb childhood obesity. Sadly, this federal mandate, though well meaning, has left many school lunch rooms with three problems: wasted food, loss of sales, and higher food costs.
For most, the holiday season is the busiest time of the year. Between the shopping, the baking and get-togethers with family and friends, there’s often little time for much else. However, this holiday season, I’m encouraging you to remember to give back to those in need. It’s estimated that roughly 34 percent of all charitable donations are made in the final three months of the year, with 18 percent of donations being made in December.
Following the storm’s wake, the Governor made his way to Buffalo and announced that meteorologists did not predict the storm well and residents were not prepared. While some may not have been prepared for the snow totals, it’s doubtful it had anything to do with the lack of weather predictions. According to several reports, New York needs to upgrade its water and sewer systems and, in fact, one report claims that to sufficiently upgrade our systems would cost $36.2 billion over the next 20 years.
It goes without saying that children who spend time reading at home, whether alongside their parents or on their own, are ahead in classroom. In addition to succeeding at school, children who live in homes that focus on reading benefit in other ways too, as studies have shown they have longer attention spans, higher levels of self-confidence, better vocabularies and of course, a love of books.
Whether it’s adopting a family to make sure they have presents under the tree, or working at a local community dinner to ensure that people have a warm holiday meal in good company, many volunteer their time to give back to their community. I continue to be humbled at the way our community gives in time, talent, and resources. Many holiday events are successful because of volunteers.
Fall is the time of year when many graduating high school seniors start to look toward the future. According to the New York State Education Department, in 2010, 82% of high school graduates in New York entered post-secondary education which includes either two- or four-year institutions. In order to attend, most students will apply for some type of financial aid whether it is in the form of student loans or scholarships or a combination of both.
It’s hard to believe that winter is just around the corner. If last year is any indication of what the coming months hold, it’s a good idea to take steps now to protect your home from the cold temperatures, whipping winds and mountains of snow.
The U.S. Department of Veterans’ Affairs estimates that there are 892,221 veterans in New York State and nearly 22 million veterans across America. From World War II to present-day battles, veterans return home shaped by their experience. They deserve our gratitude and respect.
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