Nothing doing
Our state Legislature proved its dysfunction yet again this week by avoiding the biggest problem with New York government today, and the one lawmakers were tasked with solving first and foremost. Gov. David Paterson had called lawmakers back for an “extraordinary” session specifically to work out a plan to close the $3.2 billion state budget deficit. They came back all right, collecting per-diem allowances from the taxpayers for their room and board and shifting their staffs back into overtime mode, but it now seems true that many of them, including ones in key leadership positions, never planned to do anything about the deficit. They spent the extraordinary session dealing with matters that were extraordinarily less urgent. Granted, some of those matters are important, like the bipartisan passage of a bill that makes driving while intoxicated a felony if children are in the vehicle. That’s good, but it is nowhere near as urgent as wrestling with the state’s spending addiction.
» Full StoryPolitical, financial powers find each other
Time was, Democrats worked hard to brand theirs as the party of the little guy: the worker, or even the unemployed, but not the average Wall Street executive. It was the Republicans who were, in the public eye, joined at the hip with big business.
» Full StoryHow to contact our elected lawmakers
With the second special election of 2009 taking place last week, the North Country has a second new member of the U..
» Full StoryMountains & Valleys
We heartily congratulate the winners and losers of Tuesday’s election for a job well done in their efforts to serve the people of this are.
» Full StorySo what does it mean?
This special election to replace John McHugh and represent New York’s far-north 23rd Congressional District has been so boggling, and so nationally watched, that I can’t help but join the thousands of local residents, and millions of people around...
» Full StoryLess choice for voters
New York must be the most undemocratic state in the nation. If not, we hereby express our deepest sympathy for the poor people who have to sit on the sidelines more often than us, watching the barons of influence make their decisions for them.
» Full Story
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