Wednesday Briefing: Bar Codes, Budgets, Moose Poop

by Contributor | May 28, 2008 3:19 pm

It’s Wednesday, the sun is shining and the politicians are politicianing. Here’s what they’re up to:

Some good news first — you won’t need a passport to get into Canada soon. The state’s new enhanced driver’s licenses will have enough info in their big bar codes that a passport won’t be necessary. Coverage:

• Governor Paterson’s press release[1], with the basics;
• Senator Chuck Schumer’s thrilled[2] — he’s fought the new passport requirement from day one;
• It’ll cost you more than a regular license but less than a passport[3], and also get you onto cruise ships without a passport.

Last word: If you like this idea, credit Eliot Spitzer. You’ll recall how much trouble The ex-Gov got into when he proposed giving licenses to illegal immigrants. This was his fallback plan, and the feds agreed.

Elsewhere:

The “No Texting While Driving” bill passed the Senate[4]. It’s pending in the Assembly. One more law that’s nearly impossible to enforce, except after an accident.

Don’t expect much out of the Legislature[5] between now and Election Day.

Senate Republican leader Joe Bruno’s playing coy[6] about his reelection plans.

Shelly Silver may kill a plan[7] to tie property taxes to your income.

Another tax-cutting idea — letting town and village governments merge[8] — passes the Senate and heads for the Assembly.

No new taxes on the rich[9], says the Gov. He also tells Legislators to tighten the state’s budget[10] belt.

The state’s getting lax on doctors[11], claims NYPIRG in a new report. Report’s here, pdf.[12]

Child welfare group says agencies aren’t looking hard enough[13] for same-race families for kids up for adoption.

A made for TV news story: Your baby’s crib can kill!!!!!!![14]

Business groups say the changes made to the Wicks Law will shut out non-union[15] contractors from public projects.

Lawmakers didn’t like the Thruway toll hikes, but couldn’t stop them. Now, they’re trying to get rid of ALL of the people[16] who said ‘yes’ to them.

Did you know Gov. Paterson’s a Freemason[17]? He’s the first to become Gov. in decades.

Atty. Gen. Cuomo beats the Dell out of the computing company[18], over allegedly false promises of service, rebates and more. Did you buy a Dell? You might be in for a few bucks.

Man celebrates Take Your Handgun to Work Day[19]. At a nuclear plant.

Gas prices: Schools are cutting back[20].

From the Department of The Wrong Guy Gets Screwed: A Long Island gas station’s pumps are so old they can’t change to prices above $4 a gallon[21]. There’s been a run on gas there.

This poor gas station’s not alone. The state will let stations with mechanical pumps (not digital pumps) advertise gas prices by the half-gallon[22].

And the New York Times is in the Adirondacks, on the trail of moose poop[23]. No, really.

Talk about this stuff in the comments below, and if you’ve seen an interesting story, drop a link here, too.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/opinion/letters-to-the-editor/editors-desk/wednesday-briefing/

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