Opinion

A few weeks ago, the governor proposed what he is dubbing the Tax-Free NY Program.  Understanding that his success as governor greatly depends on whether he can provide the leadership to help turn around New York’s languishing economy, Cuomo is pushing the legislature to pass what he calls “a game-changing initiative.”  I disagree with the […]

I’m not a big fan of gossip. I just look at it as a big waste of time. Even though I’m not that interested, I’m not oblivious to the fact that it drives discussion among many people. Most of the time, when gossip takes over, I just become a fly on the wall. The juicy

Mix red and blue colors and you get a purple byproduct. The same thing happened when Republicans (red) and Democrats (blue) in Congress offered up their latest versions of the farm bill. The last farm bill was authorized in 2008 and projected spending $604 billion over 10 years. The new House and Senate agricultural-committee versions

The 2013-14 New York State budget passed with total spending at $141.2 billion. Overall, we missed our opportunity to create a better state and left things status quo. We missed the chance to make our state friendlier to all businesses and provide real relief for taxpayers. Instead, we extended energy taxes for all residents, while

The world is in turmoil. North Korea is rattling its nuclear sword more than usual. The Iranians are speeding up their drive to develop nuclear weapons as the major world powers engage in endless monologue, despite Israel’s warning that the Iranians are only months away. Syria’s Assad has crossed President Barack Obama’s red line by

Have you ever noticed you are governed by a ruling class? This is an elite group. You might liken them to the aristocrats of olde England. The lords and ladies and sirs and muckamucks. These are folks who simply know it is their job to govern us. Does not matter what their qualifications are for

Woody Allen once quipped “confidence is what you have before you understand the problem.” The 10 words sum up what many businesses, including middle-market and small companies, are starting to feel as 2013 brings in broader workplace requirements for employers and hard-line enforcement by government agencies. A few news items to think about: § The

Robin Hood is a heroic, English outlaw known for robbing from the rich and giving to the poor. He and his merry band of rogues discomfited the unscrupulous sheriff of Nottinghamshire, who had dispossessed Robin of his property. The myth has persisted for more than 800 years. Horatio Alger, Jr. wrote more than 100 books

Keep on the lookout for a big tax. A really big tax. I suggest that because a California official recently proposed a tax on emails. That, of course, would amount to a gigantic tax. Gigantic taxes are what politicians are looking for to pay for their out-of-control spending. As you know, they have spent us