New York's windfall from settlements with banks and financial institutions has grown to $5.1 billion since March, according to records released Monday. Read More
Category: Media Coverage
On the ever-growing list of what’s wrong with New York state are waivers that allow some retired public workers to collect generous pensions and return to work in the public sector for lucrative paychecks far beyond what’s generally allowed by law. Read More
These lucky public servants have a pay deal that’s twice as nice. They’re in a select group of 665 city and state employees under age 65 who draws hefty government salaries at the same time they rake in public pension cash, says a watchdog group that wants more scrutiny of double-dipping. Read More
A new survey shows that most county websites in the Southern Tier still have a lot of room for improvement. According to the Empire Center's first annual See Through N.Y. Website Report Card, more than 70 percent of counties got a failing grade, including Broome County. Read More
EJ McMahon, with the Empire Center, likens the windfall to choices a household might have to make, when it suddenly gets a small unexpected inheritance of $3000. So, he says, everybody gets excited, with one family member wanting a kitchen rehab with granite counter tops, another wanting premium cable with more sports channels. Read More
A non-profit research group says the town of Wilton has the Capital Region’s best municipal website. Read More
Schuyler County's official website has been judged New York's best county site. The website is located at schuylercounty.us. The ranking was announced in the 2014 SeeThroughNY Local Government Website Report Card by the Empire Center for Public Policy. Read More
"It's irresponsible to borrow money for things that aren't going to be around before you've paid the money back. Typically bonding is reserved for things like buildings or heavy equipment or things that are going to last: 15, 20, 25 years. You borrow money to buy a thing like a house. You don't borrow money to buy a thing like a cell phone," said Ken Girardin of the Empire Center. Read More