Opinion

I voted in favor of 17 reform measures on March 9] that would have created more openness and accountability in the [New York] Assembly. The Assembly has been mired with scandal and dysfunction for several decades, something I believe could have been corrected if the Democrats chose to adopt this set of reforms. I am dismayed at

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s office announced in 2013 that it would use Microsoft Office 365 — an email and software management system to consolidate 27 agency email systems, improve access to applications, share calendars in a cloud-based system, and save taxpayer dollars. It recently implemented this software. Many aspects about the new system make

New York is well known for government. We have lots of it. Central New York is no exception, and that’s why I’m proud that Onondaga County is the first in the state to examine whether we have the best structure and the best practices for our governance. Together, we have a unique opportunity to shape

Now, you could get upset over all the whoppers that public figures fling at you. You could proclaim that evil abounds across the fruited plain.    Or, you could become philosophical. The way we did at one of the world’s greatest schools of philosophy — my father’s saloon: the Empire Hotel. I call it the

The second biggest budget item in the state budget is education, which is right behind health care. Last year, the state spent $22.3 billion on education. In 2012, combined with the local and federal share of education, New Yorkers spent $58.4 billion on public education. That’s up 56 percent over combined spending in 2002.    This

Will Rogers said that when Congress makes a law, it’s a joke. And when it makes a joke, it’s a law. These days, when the president makes a budget it’s a joke. Because Congress won’t even read it.   I don’t blame Congress. For a simple reason — the economy struggles big time. Yet the

On Dec. 11, Central New York has named a top performer in the state’s competitive Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) process, and awarded $80.2 million for 85 projects that will have a direct impact on our region.  By demonstrating a best-in-class track record for leveraging investment, providing a strong return on investment, and successfully completing

It is fashionable these days to speak about “teachable moments.” The crisis du jour often becomes one. Well, there is a teachable moment emanating from the White House that is powerful. It is curious. Like any good teaching, it can open the eyes of people in any number of situations. The teachable moment is that