Today, Town of Saratoga Supervisor Tom Wood was chosen to be Chairman of the Saratoga County Board of Supervisors.
Wood, who was elected in 2003, replaces Bill Peck of Northumberland. On Thursday, Peck applauded Wood as an excellent choice to lead the county.
Today's news was endorsed by NYS Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga.
“Tom Wood is a great friend and an even better elected official working diligently for the people of the Town of Saratoga and Saratoga County. I want to congratulate him on this wonderful honor and look forward to working with him closely on many important Saratoga County issues," said McDonald.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures
As Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to detail his secret economic plan (akin to fictional President Bartlett's secret plan to fight inflation?) at the State of the State, one NYS Senator has rekindled a proposal from May 2010 that would help limit the state's debt.
Republican John Flanagan, and nemesis to Democrat Suzie Oppenheimer, has reintroduced a bill for 2011 session that would (presumably) enact a statewide salary freeze for all public-sector employees. The language of the new bill has not been released, but this was laid out in the bill he brought last year.
Assuming the proposals are the same, Flanagan is proposing the suspension of all scheduled increases in salary or wages of employees of the state, municipalities and school districts for a period of one year.
I don't really understand this part, but it also "provides that no retroactive pay adjustment of any kind shall accrue or be deemed to accrue during the period of wage freeze and no such accruals shall be paid at the time the wage freeze is terminated."
The previous bill's memorandum mounts this defense:
Flanagan's bill acknowledged that the measure wouldn't solve the state's problems completely. In his justification he said it would help alleviate the current deficit and set the right tone for the future.
The fiscal benefits he predicted are:
His proposal in May of 2010 received very little traction, to the point where it was never addressed in committee and had no companion in the Assembly. Maybe 2011 and the GOP controlled senate will yield different results
Republican John Flanagan, and nemesis to Democrat Suzie Oppenheimer, has reintroduced a bill for 2011 session that would (presumably) enact a statewide salary freeze for all public-sector employees. The language of the new bill has not been released, but this was laid out in the bill he brought last year.
Assuming the proposals are the same, Flanagan is proposing the suspension of all scheduled increases in salary or wages of employees of the state, municipalities and school districts for a period of one year.
I don't really understand this part, but it also "provides that no retroactive pay adjustment of any kind shall accrue or be deemed to accrue during the period of wage freeze and no such accruals shall be paid at the time the wage freeze is terminated."
The previous bill's memorandum mounts this defense:
Precedent for this bill occurred in 2003 whereby the Buffalo Fiscal
Stability Authority Act (BFSA) was adopted and empowered the City of
Buffalo to impose, among other measures, a wage freeze. Prior to that,
in 1975, the New York State Financial Emergency Act was enacted and
authorized New York City's wage freeze. Both wage freezes were chal-
lenged on constitutional grounds and were upheld by federal and state
courts.
Flanagan's bill acknowledged that the measure wouldn't solve the state's problems completely. In his justification he said it would help alleviate the current deficit and set the right tone for the future.
The fiscal benefits he predicted are:
Enacting a wage freeze at this juncture would realize substantial
savings: NYS, $400 million; Suffolk County, $65 million; Nassau County,
$30 million; The Metropolitan Transportation Authority, $100 million;
New York City $1 billion.
His proposal in May of 2010 received very little traction, to the point where it was never addressed in committee and had no companion in the Assembly. Maybe 2011 and the GOP controlled senate will yield different results
Cuomo Takes Pay Cut
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that he and his executive staff will reduce their salary by five percent. The reduction will also include the budget for the executive chamber.
"Change starts at the top and we will lead by example," Governor Cuomo said. "Families and business owners in every corner of the state have learned to do more with less in order to live within their means and government must do the same."
Carol Kellermann, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, said, "The Governor's announcement of cuts in the Executive Chamber budget, including cuts to his own salary, demonstrate that sacrifices will be necessary in all aspects of State government if New York is to regain its fiscal health."
The Secretary to the governor, Steve Cohen, is currently in the process of reviewing all executive chamber expenses to determine where the cuts will come from.
"Change starts at the top and we will lead by example," Governor Cuomo said. "Families and business owners in every corner of the state have learned to do more with less in order to live within their means and government must do the same."
Carol Kellermann, president of the Citizens Budget Commission, said, "The Governor's announcement of cuts in the Executive Chamber budget, including cuts to his own salary, demonstrate that sacrifices will be necessary in all aspects of State government if New York is to regain its fiscal health."
The Secretary to the governor, Steve Cohen, is currently in the process of reviewing all executive chamber expenses to determine where the cuts will come from.
The End of an Era?
During the Christmas Show of Saturday Night Live the weekend update featured what could be the last segment with Fred Armisen as NYS Gov. David Paterson. In the video, he, NYC culture snob Stefan and Snooki sing a holiday song. It's not the best Paterson appearance, but it is still worth watching.
Senator Wants Emphasis on Language
Senator Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, has written a letter to Dr. Merryl H. Tisch, the Chancellor for the NYS Board of Regents, in which he advocates against budget cutting measures that eliminated all languages taught in schools besides Spanish and French.
"It is my fervent belief that the New York State Board of Regents should be setting a standard of excellence in education by continuing to support the study of many languages, including Italian, Latin, Hebrew and German," said Diaz.
"In this global market, we must realize the importance of language skills as well as the study of different cultures. It is essential that we provide more options to New York students – not less."
"It is my fervent belief that the New York State Board of Regents should be setting a standard of excellence in education by continuing to support the study of many languages, including Italian, Latin, Hebrew and German," said Diaz.
"In this global market, we must realize the importance of language skills as well as the study of different cultures. It is essential that we provide more options to New York students – not less."
Hunger Action Network Rally
On Tuesday, the Hunger Action Network will hold its 22nd Annual People's State of the State Rally.
The rally will call for job creation for welfare participants and other low-income individuals, strengthening the state's safety net and promoting progressive revenue options to resolve the state's projected $9 billion deficit.
On the group's flyer it advocates for food in lieu of bombs. The group negatively characterizes Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fiscally conservative approach, while ignoring his recent decision to let a tax cut for the rich lapse, which seems to be in keeping with the group's philosophy.
The event takes place at the State Street entrance to the Capitol at 11:45 a.m.
The rally will call for job creation for welfare participants and other low-income individuals, strengthening the state's safety net and promoting progressive revenue options to resolve the state's projected $9 billion deficit.
It is Time for Wall Street to Bail out Main Street
Make the Minimum Wage a Living Wage, Not a Poverty Wage
Raise Unemployment Benefits
Cut the Military Budget to Fund Human Needs
NYS has a $9 Billion Deficit
Make the Rich pay their fair share of taxes
Protect the Safety Net
On the group's flyer it advocates for food in lieu of bombs. The group negatively characterizes Gov. Andrew Cuomo's fiscally conservative approach, while ignoring his recent decision to let a tax cut for the rich lapse, which seems to be in keeping with the group's philosophy.
The event takes place at the State Street entrance to the Capitol at 11:45 a.m.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
BZZZZZZZ
The NYS Senate, which has spent the last two years updating its website to allow increased participation for New Yorkers, is currently beta testing a feature called "BILLBUZZ."
BILLBUZZ works in conjunction with the site's comment feature that allows people to offer their input on bills and other legislative actions. Through BILLBUZZ subscribers are sent daily emails that pull in recent comments made on the bill's of specific senators that they choose. THe limitation, though, is that the senate's OPEN LEGISLATION site only tracks senate bills, except for Assembly bills that are substituted on the floor.
Check out the new feature:
http://billbuzz.nysenate.gov/
Also, stay tuned for future changes to the senate site, which is now under GOP control. The Republicans don't exactly have a history of promoting openness or any sort of tech savvy, but it is still unclear what the future will hold.
One thing seems likely, though, is that Senate Chief Information Officer Andrew Hoppin is likely to be on his way out.
Under Hoppin's control, the senate site began offering floor transcripts, committee votes and webcasts of public hearings and committee meetings.
As of December 22 he was still in the process of transitioning the senate in a "responsible manner" and hadn't made job plans for 2011.
Here is the latest version of the senate's new version of OPEN Legislation, which came out this past week: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/
Unfortunately the Senate site still relies on data from the Bill Drafting Commission.
BILLBUZZ works in conjunction with the site's comment feature that allows people to offer their input on bills and other legislative actions. Through BILLBUZZ subscribers are sent daily emails that pull in recent comments made on the bill's of specific senators that they choose. THe limitation, though, is that the senate's OPEN LEGISLATION site only tracks senate bills, except for Assembly bills that are substituted on the floor.
Check out the new feature:
http://billbuzz.nysenate.gov/
Also, stay tuned for future changes to the senate site, which is now under GOP control. The Republicans don't exactly have a history of promoting openness or any sort of tech savvy, but it is still unclear what the future will hold.
One thing seems likely, though, is that Senate Chief Information Officer Andrew Hoppin is likely to be on his way out.
Under Hoppin's control, the senate site began offering floor transcripts, committee votes and webcasts of public hearings and committee meetings.
As of December 22 he was still in the process of transitioning the senate in a "responsible manner" and hadn't made job plans for 2011.
Here is the latest version of the senate's new version of OPEN Legislation, which came out this past week: http://open.nysenate.gov/legislation/
Unfortunately the Senate site still relies on data from the Bill Drafting Commission.
Cuomo's Website
The changes in New York keep on coming, as yesterday Gov. Andrew Cuomo put his own stamp on the governor's website.
On the site, Cuomo offers a message for the future and his vision for the website.
Cuomo promised to reach out to New Yorkers in new ways, which has included twitter and a flickr account. It will be interesting to see how he uses the internet to promote openness, especially with the future of the Legislative Retrieval System....
On the site, Cuomo offers a message for the future and his vision for the website.
You have given me a tremendous honor to serve as Governor of the great State of New York. Your trust in me is humbling and deeply appreciated as we begin a journey to make New York the Empire State once again.
My website will be a focal point of communication, information, and discussion – for the State’s most pressing issues and our most strategic initiatives. But, most importantly, it will be your way to join together with other New Yorkers to make our State work for all of us.
Please visit often to stay informed and participate in the dialogue
Cuomo promised to reach out to New Yorkers in new ways, which has included twitter and a flickr account. It will be interesting to see how he uses the internet to promote openness, especially with the future of the Legislative Retrieval System....
New York Loves Lucy.
New York State Senator Catherine Young, of Western NY, has introduced two bills for the upcoming legislative session that pay homage to comedian and actress Lucille Ball.
Young, who is based out of Olean, represents a district near the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, NY.
One bill authorizes the DMV to create a distinct Lucille Ball license plate. The second bill designates the bridge on interstate route 86 over North Main Street in the town of Ellicott as the "Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Memorial Bridge."
In 2011, Lucille, who was born in Jamestown, would have turned 90.
Both bills have been introduced in previous sessions with the goal of promoting tourism.
Young, who is based out of Olean, represents a district near the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, NY.
One bill authorizes the DMV to create a distinct Lucille Ball license plate. The second bill designates the bridge on interstate route 86 over North Main Street in the town of Ellicott as the "Lucille Ball - Desi Arnaz Memorial Bridge."
In 2011, Lucille, who was born in Jamestown, would have turned 90.
Both bills have been introduced in previous sessions with the goal of promoting tourism.
Let's Get Ethical!
Gov. Andrew Cuomo issued an Executive Order today that requires ethical training for all top chamber staff and top state officials.
"Honor and integrity will be a hallmark of this administration, and I am confident that we have assembled a team that reflects that commitment," Cuomo said. "Nonetheless, it is imperative that Chamber staff and other high ranking government officials be versed in the ethics rules and regulations that apply to them. Top government employees should have no questions, no gray areas, and no possibility of confusion regarding what is proper and what is not."
Training must begin by Jan. 31st and be finished within sixty days. The Executive Order also requires officials to participate in this ethics training every two years. The training will focus on the rules about serving in government.
Blair Horner, the legislative director of NYPIRG, said the measure addresses real problems and establishes a new tone that needs to be followed up. "We hope that this is the first step in a journey to overhaul New York's woefully inadequate ethics laws," he said.
A signed statement certifying participation must be submitted by each individual for their personnel file.
"Honor and integrity will be a hallmark of this administration, and I am confident that we have assembled a team that reflects that commitment," Cuomo said. "Nonetheless, it is imperative that Chamber staff and other high ranking government officials be versed in the ethics rules and regulations that apply to them. Top government employees should have no questions, no gray areas, and no possibility of confusion regarding what is proper and what is not."
Training must begin by Jan. 31st and be finished within sixty days. The Executive Order also requires officials to participate in this ethics training every two years. The training will focus on the rules about serving in government.
Blair Horner, the legislative director of NYPIRG, said the measure addresses real problems and establishes a new tone that needs to be followed up. "We hope that this is the first step in a journey to overhaul New York's woefully inadequate ethics laws," he said.
A signed statement certifying participation must be submitted by each individual for their personnel file.
Cuomo: Open for Business
(Editor's Note: A version of this article appeared in the Daily Gazette.)
With the start of his administration on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo tried to set a new tone in Albany with a ribbon-cutting and the removal of more than 200 tons of concrete barriers on the State Street entrance to the capitol.
“This capitol has become a physical metaphor for the isolation and alienation of our people,” said Cuomo in his inaugural remarks, referring to barriers and barricades in and around the Capitol that were put in place because of heightened security. “This is the people’s meeting place and they should be invited in, and today my friends we will reopen the Capitol, literally and figuratively.”
The changes include the removal of 29 concrete barricades that were erected on State Street during the administration of Gov. George Pataki and the opening of the second floor of the Capitol, which had previously been mostly closed to the public. The barriers on State Street have been a nuisance and an eyesore since they were put in place and the restrictions on movement on the second floor, which is the governor’s floor, have hindered access by reporters and the public.
Referring to the changes, Cuomo said, “It is a symbol of a new approach, to reconnect with people, to build back trust and defeat the power of special interest with the power of the people.”
According to a spokesman for the governor, the executive order to remove the barriers was the product of continuous discussions with the state police, as there were concerns over safety. The removal, which was done by Department of Transportation employees, was paid for by Cuomo’s campaign funds.
In commemoration of the opening of the second floor, Cuomo cut a ribbon stretched across a doorway that in the past was guarded by an officer from the state police. “Cutting the ribbon is symbolic of opening up the second floor,” said Cuomo.
Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Clifton Park, who attended the governor’s open house at the Executive Mansion, said the symbols of the day were good, but needed to be accompanied with more substantive measures that would really reflect the theme of openness.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, said the gesture was meaningful and suggested that it should be followed by the removal of economic barriers that are crushing New Yorkers. “I totally support the metaphor,” said Tedisco, with the understanding that it’s not going to create one new job.
Referring to Cuomo’s advocacy for increased access to the Capitol, he said, “Let them into the economy also.”
Cuomo described the symbolic gestures of his first day in office as having the effect of removing a veil of secrecy that previously surrounded Albany and said now he needs the people to join in.
“The people aren’t engaged, and that’s going to have to change,” he said. “If there is a silver bullet in the barrel to recapture Albany, it is the re-engagement of our citizens.”
The importance of symbols was not echoed throughout the administration, though, with Cuomo's secretary Steve Cohen saying that Saturday was not about metaphors.
Workers began removing the barriers early in the morning on New Year’s Day, with Cuomo supervising the removal of the final barrier shortly after his inaugural address in the early afternoon. He thanked workers for giving up their holiday and lamented the fact that he couldn’t help them.
Here is the Executive Order:
When I came to the Capitol on Wednesday I realized that the 3rd floor Majority offices were also open to the public. Here is the video of Leader Skelos opening the way for more openness.
With the start of his administration on Saturday, Gov. Andrew Cuomo tried to set a new tone in Albany with a ribbon-cutting and the removal of more than 200 tons of concrete barriers on the State Street entrance to the capitol.
“This capitol has become a physical metaphor for the isolation and alienation of our people,” said Cuomo in his inaugural remarks, referring to barriers and barricades in and around the Capitol that were put in place because of heightened security. “This is the people’s meeting place and they should be invited in, and today my friends we will reopen the Capitol, literally and figuratively.”
The changes include the removal of 29 concrete barricades that were erected on State Street during the administration of Gov. George Pataki and the opening of the second floor of the Capitol, which had previously been mostly closed to the public. The barriers on State Street have been a nuisance and an eyesore since they were put in place and the restrictions on movement on the second floor, which is the governor’s floor, have hindered access by reporters and the public.
Referring to the changes, Cuomo said, “It is a symbol of a new approach, to reconnect with people, to build back trust and defeat the power of special interest with the power of the people.”
According to a spokesman for the governor, the executive order to remove the barriers was the product of continuous discussions with the state police, as there were concerns over safety. The removal, which was done by Department of Transportation employees, was paid for by Cuomo’s campaign funds.
In commemoration of the opening of the second floor, Cuomo cut a ribbon stretched across a doorway that in the past was guarded by an officer from the state police. “Cutting the ribbon is symbolic of opening up the second floor,” said Cuomo.
Assemblyman Bob Reilly, D-Clifton Park, who attended the governor’s open house at the Executive Mansion, said the symbols of the day were good, but needed to be accompanied with more substantive measures that would really reflect the theme of openness.
Assemblyman Jim Tedisco, R-Glenville, said the gesture was meaningful and suggested that it should be followed by the removal of economic barriers that are crushing New Yorkers. “I totally support the metaphor,” said Tedisco, with the understanding that it’s not going to create one new job.
Referring to Cuomo’s advocacy for increased access to the Capitol, he said, “Let them into the economy also.”
Cuomo described the symbolic gestures of his first day in office as having the effect of removing a veil of secrecy that previously surrounded Albany and said now he needs the people to join in.
“The people aren’t engaged, and that’s going to have to change,” he said. “If there is a silver bullet in the barrel to recapture Albany, it is the re-engagement of our citizens.”
The importance of symbols was not echoed throughout the administration, though, with Cuomo's secretary Steve Cohen saying that Saturday was not about metaphors.
Workers began removing the barriers early in the morning on New Year’s Day, with Cuomo supervising the removal of the final barrier shortly after his inaugural address in the early afternoon. He thanked workers for giving up their holiday and lamented the fact that he couldn’t help them.
Here is the Executive Order:
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today signed an Executive Order, the first of his administration, removing physical barriers erected in and around the New York State Capitol in order to give the public greater access to their government. As a result of the Executive Order, a series of concrete barriers stretching the length of the Capitol along State Street will be immediately removed
The order also reopens the Hall of Governors on the second floor of the Capitol to the public. The Hall, where many of the executive chamber offices are located, has been closed to the public since 1995.
"This is more than just a symbolic gesture, this literally reopens areas of the Capitol building that have been closed to the public for years," Governor Cuomo said. "In order to restore faith and trust in government, we have to tear down barriers that have excluded people from the governing process. Today we take the first step in that effort."
When I came to the Capitol on Wednesday I realized that the 3rd floor Majority offices were also open to the public. Here is the video of Leader Skelos opening the way for more openness.
Split NY?
I was a little surprised when I discovered this bill, but apparently a proposal from Senator Robach (western NY), which would allow voters to opt for the division of the state is not a new bill.
Senate Bill 712, provides for a referendum on the question "Do you support the division of New York into two separate states ?" THe bill, which doesn't have a companion (yet), has been proposed at least five times since 2000.
The argument of its advocates is that there are distinct social and political concerns that divide upstate and downstate.
I'm not sure this bill reflects the message of yesterday's inauguration, which was that the ENTIRE state should rally around the new governor.
I wonder if Carl Paladino would be the governor of Upstate New York, or just Buffalo New York, because Cuomo won upstate too.
Does this proposal bother anyone else? Is anyone surprised by how common it is?
Senate Bill 712, provides for a referendum on the question "Do you support the division of New York into two separate states ?" THe bill, which doesn't have a companion (yet), has been proposed at least five times since 2000.
The argument of its advocates is that there are distinct social and political concerns that divide upstate and downstate.
I'm not sure this bill reflects the message of yesterday's inauguration, which was that the ENTIRE state should rally around the new governor.
I wonder if Carl Paladino would be the governor of Upstate New York, or just Buffalo New York, because Cuomo won upstate too.
Does this proposal bother anyone else? Is anyone surprised by how common it is?
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