Energy was one of the few issue areas in which David Paterson was allowed at least briefly to play a visible role during 14 months in the shadows as New York's lieutenant governor. But now that he has succeeded the disgraced Eliot Spitzer in the governor's office, Paterson needs to break with policies that have made energy increasingly expensive and potentially scarce in New York. Read More
"Voters Back Millionaire's Tax 4-1" is how the Quinnipiac poll is rushing out news in respect of its finding on the scheme of the Assembly in Albany to raise taxes on the highest-earning New Yorkers. "Remember that old verse: 'Don't tax you; don't ta Read More
(A suitable-for-printing pdf version of the following, including source citations, can be downloaded by clicking ) Spearheaded by the state’s major public employee unions, the “” (NYFF) co Read More
Politicians have a habit of crying wolf over budget cuts - even when the "cuts" actually amount to smaller-than-desired spending increases. But amid all the other noise surrounding the final stage of budget negotiations in Albany late this week, New York's county executives made a strong case against what would be one of the more outrageous intergovernmental rip-offs since the creation of the Medicaid program over 40 years ago. Read More
The recent pummeling of Wall Street and the grim economic outlook are raising concerns at City Hall and in Albany that lawmakers will have to deepen budget cuts or raise taxes to cushion an anticipated blow to city and state finances. Budget watch Read More
The proposed tax hike on cigarettes in the state budget would create a "black market gold mine" for smugglers and force New York smokers to pay the highest taxes in the nation, experts warn. Facing a $5 billion budget gap, state lawmakers see doub Read More
In his rush to finish the state budget kinda-sorta-almost on time, Gov. Paterson is giving away the store. Caving to pressure from special interests and their allies in the Legislature, the newbie governor is allowing spending to balloon at twice Read More
ALBANY - Lawmakers whiffed Monday night in their attempt to pass an on-time state budget, but appeared poised to ink a $124 billion spending plan later this week. Senate GOP leader Joe Bruno was optimistic a final deal will be sealed by Friday. Fi Read More