On New York State roadways, the number of motorcycles has increased 12 percent over five years. In Jefferson, St. Lawrence and Oswego counties, motorcycle registrations in have grown by 31 percent, 21 percent and 16 percent respectively during that time period to more than 13,800. As the number of bikes on the road has increased, so has the number of accidents.
Understanding that his success as governor greatly depends on whether he can provide the leadership to help turn around New York’s languishing economy, Cuomo is pushing the legislature to pass what he calls “a game-changing initiative.” I disagree with the Governor and think that this program, while it may provide some economic stimulus, it is really more of the same of what has been proposed in New York in the past and fails to accomplish what our state really needs – which is, broad-based tax relief.
My end-of-session priorities include getting tax breaks for farmers and active military. We need harsher laws for synthetic drug users and dealers on par with our current controlled substance penalties. We need to create laws that establish a protocol for inappropriate and unethical behavior for lawmakers, instead of leaving ethics up to the powers that be.
With the end of the school year in sight, many students are anxiously awaiting the summer months. While spending time by the pool, fishing, and playing outdoors may be at the top of their to-do list, there’s one thing students should do to keep their skills honed and their minds sharp – read.
Many people think of Memorial Day as the “unofficial” start to summer. But, for me, there’s something else that signals the start of the season: the opening of farmers’ markets across Central and Northern New York.
The New York City sponsors of this legislation have billed it as the DREAM Act. However, because it will place an increased burden on our State’s Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), this could become a financial nightmare for the state and for those lower-and middle-class families who are already struggling to afford the ever increasing cost of higher education.
To get a job done, you need the right tools. The same goes for getting a job. When you’re looking for work, it’s critical to use all your resources to your advantage. On June 6, I’ll be offering a great opportunity for job seekers to make those connections at my third annual Oswego County Job Fair.
As the cliche goes, when it rains it pours. This certainly holds true as a description of the numerous scandals that have arisen as of late in both Albany and Washington. This week in Albany, most attention was rightfully focused on the release of a report by the Joint Committee on Public Ethics that summarized its investigation of sexual harassment claims against Vito Lopez – the now former Assemblyman.
This week, I had the honor of hosting Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, Major General Stephen Townsend, as well as several Fort Drum soldiers and commanders at the Capitol for “10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Day.” This second annual event celebrated the 10th Mountain Division and its troops for their ongoing role in our nation’s defense, as well as the post itself for the key role it plays in our region’s economy.
On the same day farmers were bracing for a cold streak, the Assembly passed a bill that imposes factory-like mandates on family farms, and failed to recognize the unique industry heavily dependent on weather and harvest schedules. The Farmworkers Fair Labor Practices Act passed the Assembly 83-53. I voted against it. The bill imposes new labor mandates, regulations and financial burdens for farmers, without considering the environment or circumstances it takes to run a successful farm.
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