Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.
Give active military a tax break
Our all-volunteer military is the most effective in the world because of the men and women who risk their lives every day to protect us. Their service is essential to our nation’s security, but it places an enormous burden on them and on their families as well, and we owe them our support and our […]
It’s time to stop pampering seniors
MYTH: Older Americans need exceptional protection because they are poorer and more vulnerable than the rest of society. REALITY: Incomes and net worth for the elderly have risen since 1989 while dropping for the young and middle-aged. The economic and financial status of older Americans was spelled out in a study released in September by
Veteran’s Day is a time we honor our veterans and thank them for their service. We pause to reflect on their lives and appreciate how their sacrifices keep us safe and protect our country and our freedoms. I’ve always believed that New York State should do more for our veterans. We can’t rely solely on
Kids Don’t Fit Into Molds: Why Should Their Education?
Being a father and now a grandparent, I’ve learned that kids just don’t fit into molds. So why should their education? Kids learn in a number of different ways, and teachers know how to teach to these different learning styles. Common Core is threatening to break apart the productive relationship our children have with their
New Yorkers and Their Elections
Dear people of New York City: We do not understand. Some of us who live Upstate. We do not understand. Wait. Let me put that into Big Apple lingo: What??? Are youse nuts or sumpin’? I refer to your upcoming election. You are going to elect a new mayor who is so liberal Fidel could
Finger Lakes Viticulture Center Begins a Promising New Chapter for Our Region and Wine Industry
It was an exciting week in our community, as we collectively celebrated the groundbreaking of what will be a transformative and historic endeavor. On Thursday, Oct. 24, I joined Finger Lakes Community College (FLCC) President Barbara Risser, Senator Mike Nozzolio, and other community leaders to launch the construction of the Finger Lakes Viticulture Center in
The real story: the public is the problem
Late in the evening of Wednesday, Oct. 16, President Barack Obama signed legislation to re-open the federal government, which had been partially shut for 16 days. The political drama captured the attention of the media, which was consumed by the tactical struggle and the question of who won and who lost. The real story occurred
Do You Accept Soft Corruption?
Here is a piece of corruption that is all too common among politicians. The guy who is about to be elected the next mayor of the Big Apple, Bill de Blasio, was formerly a Brooklyn city councilman. Sometime around 2005, his wife, Chirlane McCray, was looking for a job. So, he introduced her to the
Cell-Phone Charges: New York’s Growing Tax
This summer, the Tax Foundation released a map showing the combined local, state, and federal cell-phone tax rates. The map showed, not surprisingly, that New York residents pay the third-highest rate of taxes and fees on wireless service in the country. Our state and local rate is 17.85 percent. When those taxes are combined with
Greasing the skids to get the gambling referendum approved
What do you think? Any hint of corruption here? First, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo makes gambling a major plank in his plans for the state economy. He wants another seven big casinos. Several of them will be located Upstate. This despite the unsavory aspects of casinos. Lots of studies in lots of states tell
Stay up-to-date on the companies, people and issues that impact businesses in Syracuse, Central New York and beyond.