exemplifies the federal stimulus bill at its worst. It's basically a helicopter drop of cash justified on the grounds that, after all, these folks need the money and will spend it--which, when you come right down to it, is justification enough for Read More
Today's Times about how the nation's governors are worried that Congress will expand Medicaid without giving states more resources to pay their part. This part requires further inquiry: "Connie Baugh received a letter ... from [Washington Read More
Earlier this week, Mayor Bloomberg unveiled the first big proposal of his try for a third term: a "." Over at City Journal, . Read More
Who says you need to change your spending habits in the midst of the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression? The state Legislature approved over 8,000 “member items”—New York’s version of pork-barrel earmarks—adding up to jus Read More
The Empire Center today marked the first anniversary of its government transparency web site, SeeThroughNY.net, with the posting of $148.3 million in legislative pork barrel member items for 2009-10. The online database, which also includes $148.1 million in member items for 2008-09, is searchable by legislator, locality and recipient. Read More
Earlier today, bond analysts at S&P downgraded to junk status $33 million worth of mortgage debt issued nine years ago by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York (DASNY). DASNY had raised the debt to complete hospital construction projec Read More
"Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein has warned his employees to avoid making big-ticket, high-profile purchases as the gold-plated Wall Street firm hunkers down amid a firestorm of public and political anger over outsize bonus payments," today's N Read More
Well, what do you know? After raising taxes on high-income households by up to 31 percent, New York state is collecting far less income tax than it had anticipated just a few months ago. Read More