Opinion

State government has a responsibility to foster job creation and spur economic prosperity. Efforts must be made to enable businesses to put people in jobs, allowing families to put food on tables. But government also has a responsibility to be honest about its performance in that critical role.  Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s narrative about New York’s […]

New York has a habit of enacting policies that, rather than finding a balance, create burdensome regulations that are costly, overreaching, and often untested. Nowhere is this more evident than with the paid family leave program due to go into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. The concept of paid family leave is something most New

“We should address climate change but in a way that’s not economically harmful and doesn’t involve more government regulation.” How many of us have expressed or heard sentiments similar to these when it comes to addressing human-caused climate change? And from those of us in the business community, particularly those who are responsible for keeping

For years, state lawmakers convicted of abusing power related to their public duties have been able to collect a state pension and sometimes even behind bars. Thankfully, this could change for future criminals if voters approve an amendment to the state constitution in November. This election year, New York state voters will have the opportunity

I’ve been reminded recently of the old cowboy song, “Home on the Range.” You know the line, “Where never is heard a discouraging word”? That is not the United States right now. It feels like pretty much everywhere I turn, all I hear is discouragement. But the question we have to confront is not, “What’s going

Big media, methinks you do a disservice to Americans in your coverage of the Puerto Rican hurricane damage. You carry a lot of criticism of Washington’s rescue efforts. Too little, too late you tell us. You are quick to show us people who lost their homes wailing that nobody was helping. You lace your coverage

New York’s tourism industry is alive and showing signs of growth. A recent study estimated that 239 million visitors traveled to New York state in 2016. These visitors had an estimated economic impact of $104.8 billion and $64.8 billion in direct spending. While the number of visitors and spending was up from 2015, the state can

I’m often invited to speak to school-aged kids and during these visits a common question kids have for me is: What does it means to be a good citizen? The question itself is inspiring because it means they are searching for ways to be good citizens. What is even more encouraging is that without realizing it,

Autumn is upon us. The area’s hard-working residents and proud small-business owners always go above and beyond to make each fall season special with unique events. Autumn is a particularly great time to visit, as the beautiful fall foliage, incredible hiking trails, and wine country-related events are unparalleled in New York and abroad.  We are

OCM BOCES can be a model for the benefits of cooperation To the Editor: As district superintendent for the Onondaga-Cortland-Madison Board of Cooperative Educational Services (OCM BOCES), I am writing to heartily applaud the efforts of Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney and members of her shared-services panel for their efforts to improve government efficiency and