Publications

Keeping You Informed

New Law Reveals Complexity Of Synthetic Drug War; More Teeth Needed

News of synthetic drugs is making headlines again. The governor recently signed legislation which expands the chemical ban of 2012. This new ban targets drugs used to make bath salts and psychedelic drugs and adds them to the Schedule 1 controlled substance...

New York in Need of New Tax Policies that Move State Forward

A discussion about tax reform has started in Albany which I am glad to see take shape. Members of the State Senate Finance Committee have been holding hearings and asking the question – how do we improve our state’s tax policy? They have begun to...

2013 Session Review

To the Editor

To The Editor: Entergy Corporation recently announced that it is planning to shut down Yankee nuclear power plant—the only nuclear power plant in Vermont. This announcement should be of great concern to the Central New York community in light of...

Junior Big Game Hunting Weekend Set Again for Columbus Holiday

In 2012, New York’s first Youth Firearms Deer Hunt was held on Columbus Day weekend. This has since become an annual event, thanks in part to legislation that passed in 2008 to expand big game hunting for junior hunters—those who are 14-15 years old....

Invasive Species Disrupt Domestic Habitats

Invasive species have been around since people began to travel. Some species have been around for over a hundred years, and we’ve largely learned to live with them. Others pose a more serious threat and have eradicated crops or species of domestic trees,...

Basic STAR Applicants Must Reapply

In this year’s enacted state budget, changes were made to the STAR program that requires Basic STAR recipients to re-register. It became clear that the state needed to make changes to the program after a Comptroller’s audit found some property owners...

New Lake Level Plan Leaves Questions Unanswered and Shore at Risk

There is a new water level plan proposed for Lake Ontario that will threaten shoreline property, recreational activity, and damage public infrastructure. Plan 2014 has been proposed by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC is comprised of...

New Yorkers Have Tax-Free Savings Option in 529, But Plan Contains Some Risks

College orientations are underway this time of year. Many of you may have children, grandchildren or relatives who are embarking on higher education in the coming weeks, or even in the coming years. In April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported...

Legislation Regarding Drunk Driving, Child Abuse, Breast Cancer Mapping and Fire Safety Signed into Law

Typically, a lot of bills pass the state legislature at the end of session. Once the legislature adjourns for the year, the Governor reviews the bills and determines which ones he wants to sign into law. In this column, I highlight a few bills of interest...

Career Centers Provide Resources During Job Search and Company Expansions

The latest State Department of Labor newsletter for CNY states the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in four years. Signs do point to economic growth, especially in the area of food processing for our local region. According to the Department...

Summer In Central New York

With summer in full bloom, it is the opportune time for residents and visitors alike to take part in the wealth of activities our communities have to offer. I’m proud to represent a district where tourism represents a growing sector of the local economy....

What To Do About The Upstate Economy?

A few weeks ago, the Governor proposed what he is dubbing the Tax-Free NY Program. 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...

Last Weeks Include Push for Tax Breaks for Farmers and Active Military; Harsher Penalties for Synthetic Drugs; Improved Ethics Laws

These last weeks of session include a push by lawmakers to get several priority bills passed. 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...

DREAM Act Would Place Strain on Taxpayers; Takes Away from Legal Immigrants, Middle Class

A few weeks ago, the Assembly passed legislation that, if enacted into law, would allow illegal aliens residing in New York to qualify for state financial assistance for college. The New York City sponsors of this legislation have billed it as the DREAM...

Time For An Independent Ethics Committee

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...

Farmworkers Labor Act is Poor Policy for Those in Reality

Last week, frost hit Upstate New York after buds sprouted on the trees. Some fruit farmers set out smudge pots and wind machines to try and prevent the frost from settling on the plants. Luckily, temperatures didn’t get that low and only remained just...

Funding for Developmentally Disabled Partially Restored; Creating the Crime for Staging Auto Accidents; and Improving ATV Rider Conditions

There have been quite a few newsworthy items coming out of Albany in recent weeks. I want to share a few of them with you in this column pertaining to health services funding, insurance fraud, and tourism. Increased Funding for Developmentally Disabled There...

Changes to Election Day Unnecessary and Costly

The Assembly passed an early voting bill last week. I voted against this measure. At a time when localities are stretched to the max, this would create another unfunded mandate and change our current system when it doesn’t need to be changed. Election...

Small Business Day Reminds Albany Leaders To Remove Costly Mandates

Small-business owners throughout New York State recently made their way to Albany. Chief among their concerns again this year pertained to overreaching regulations and paperwork mandates, which add to the overall cost of doing business. More than 100...