Score (96)

LET'S KEEP NY SAFE, BEAUTIFUL & AFFORDABLE Reject the Monticello NY Casino
Real costs of Gambling for everyone
Gambling costs more than raising taxes, even for those who NEVER gamble! Each compulsive gambler costs the economy between $14,006 and $22,077 per year If 2% become addicted, that’s $280 to $440 per year paid by every other citizen!
Trading jobs kills development
Most casinos attract 80% or more of their market from a 35-50 mile radius. Casinos absorb existing entertainment, restaurant and hotel business, and deplete dollars available to other retail businesses. That destroys other jobs in the trade area and eliminates their sales, employment and property tax contributions

Score (121)

Rather than grow ethanol, we should urge congress to remove the 54 cent a gallon tax on imported etahnol. Many american trucks can operate on flex fuels, which makes inexpensive sugar ethanol suitable for upstate New York, while hybrid electric cars are more suitable for large cities. Buying ethanol from countries such as Haiti, Jamaica, the Dominican Republic-all of which currently produce sugar-would boost the economies of countries from whom many of our illegal immigrants come from to seek a better life.
- Submitted by Art Nudell on 11.18.06

Score (89)

Please make them STOP trying to lure large companies or entrepreneurial fast growth gazelles into upstate NY to revitalize the economy. It's an expensive waste of time and it doesn't even really work.
Anybody who spends any time talking to the residents of these small upstate villages will find a great deal of support for getting behind the small businesses that populate our Main Streets and the home-based businesses we run from our living rooms, bedrooms, garages and kitchen tables.
It is possible, maybe even likely, that some of them will grow to become major employers (similarly to what was found in urban development in a recent research paper released by the SBA Office of Advacacy; please contact me for the reference) with the proper support. Meanwhile, we can save all kinds of taxpayer dollars and preserve the character of our villages, in addition to creating a group of business leaders who are already invested in the community -- meaning they won't pick up sticks as soon as those incentives expire!

Score (98)

Opposite the JAVITS CENTER, pier 76 is a tow-away pound (a "temporary" use dating back to 1980). A public/private solution would be to redeem your parking ticket at a convenient midtown location and then be directed to private parking lots where the cars have been dispersed to claim your car. This will free-up this pier for new uses.
- Submitted by michael kramer on 12.24.06

Score (54)

Jonathan King stated:
"NY labor law excludes farmworkers from many rights, including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining collectively.
These rights must be given to farmworkers, too!!"
Philippa Turner stated:
"NY labor law unfairly excludes farmworkers from many rights, including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining collectively, rights guaranteered to the majority of other workers in New York which I and many others believe should be granted to farm workers as well. I hope that this will be a priority for Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer during his administration."

Score (75)

In order to suppport the CBOs who are part of Universal Pre-K all certified per-k teachers should be part of the DOE. Thie will insure equity and assist CBos in retaining quality teachers and provide consistency for our children. When teachers leave for more money there isn't the dedication nor the commitment needed to provide developmentally appropriate education for our youngest learners. With job security comes longevity which in turn helps develop teachers and provides the CBO with needed professional development opportunities.
- Submitted by christina d'angelo on 12.24.06

Score (110)

Consolidate the various state agencies with primary emergency response and public safety duties; State Police, Office of Fire Prevention and Control, State Emergency Management Office, Dept of Health Bureau of Emergency Medical Services, within the Office of Homeland Security. Since OHS was created to “…oversee and coordinate the state’s homeland security resources..” it would seem the greatest oversight and coordination and efficiency would be possible if these operations were under a single commissioner who reported directly to the governor.
Each of these state response agencies and its personnel is a vital part of the state’s overall public safety team and must be fully supported, funded and encouraged to do everything possible to ensure the safety of the people of the Empire State. Please provide them the organizational structure to help facilitate their accomplishment of their missions.

Score (-44)

NY labor law excludes farmworkers from many rights, including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining collectively.
These rights must be given to farmworkers, too!!
- Submitted by Jonathan King on 12.24.06

Score (143)

Dear Team: the state is currently unable to get an instant balance on what it has on deposit!--it's technology is a mish mash of several systems. Recently, several agencies made up their mind- Oracle's Peoplesoft is the best and most fair plateform to run all state finances. A majority of agencies and the Comproller have Peoplesoft. The rest are running 20 year old technology. Please stop the waste and standardize on Peoplesoft and let's have a real fiancial system for a change. Peoplesoft runs the largest states and has won 11 of the last 12 states--it is the standard..impliment it now so you can responsibly track our tax dollars!!!

Score (52)

NY labor law unfairly excludes farmworkers from many rights, including a day of rest, overtime pay, and protection when bargaining collectively, rights guaranteered to the majority of other workers in New York which I and many others believe should be granted to farm workers as well. I hope that this will be a priority for Governor-Elect Eliot Spitzer during his administration.
Philippa Turner
- Submitted by Philippa Turner on 12.24.06

Score (75)

Agricultural trade is now legally allowed between U.S. farmers and Cuba. The problem for farmers in New York State is the shipping situation. It is my understanding that currently only 2 U.S. ports in the state of Florida allow agricultural products to be shipped to Cuba. That makes it very difficult for New York farmer to compete, not only with farmers in the U.S. closer to those Florida ports but also with Canadian farmers (obviously Canada doesn't have the same restrictions and Canadian ports are open to Canadian farmers to ship products to Cuba).
Here is the idea. We need the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to open up the seven marine cargo terminals under the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's control (especially the Elizabeth Marine Teriminal) to legally allow agricultural products to be shipped to Cuba.

Score (115)

Over the past 10 growing seasons or so there have been a number of weather disasters that have struck agriculture in NYS, as well as the northeast, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars of crop losses over the years.
The USDA crop insurance program has a number of problems (e-mail and I can explain in detail) and federal disaster aid is too dependant on politics for passage. While New Jersey and Pennslyvania have passed significant ag disaster aid packages over the years NYS has passed only a miniscule amount of assistance in comparison. This is so especially when one considers how important agriculture is to the NYS economy. Farmers in NYS need more help from the NYS government.

Score (52)

My post entitled "More self-appointed farmworker advocate misinformation" was dumped. Why? These people are continuing to make robotic posts that are repeatedly stating misinformation and falsehoods. What's the problem with someone that is actually ...
a. reading what is being posted
b. using their noggin and responding accordingly with funny things like facts, evidence and clear logical arguments
... and responding accordingly? If you allow unthinking, parrot-like posts that distort the facts/truth why have a problem with responses to them?
Unless is it because the post, like the other that was dumped, made mention of public avialable financial records related to RMM? Financial information that is extremely problematic. Like their posting around $250,000 in losses over a 2 year period, or excessive employee compensation, or questionable expenditures, or phantom program services?

Score (5)

Governor Elect Spitzer:
The departure of the New York state comptroller gives leadership a renewed opportunity to bring a strong unbiased voice to the people's cause for reform in Albany. It is time to bring an independent soul from out side the current political seen to this position of trust.
Truth deserves an honest straight path on Day One; an honest broker will enhance our future.
Submitted:
Jim McMahon, former First Deputy Commissioner NYS Agriculture & Markets
- Submitted by James McMahon on 11.23.06

Score (54)

switch from property to income tax to fund schools. Then appoint a commission to monitor all local school districts and how they spend money. There's alot of waste that could be avoided if the state audited how money is spent. Also pass laws that will ensure that those who are responsible for spending school money are COMPETENT AND QUALIFIED to spend, as well as fiscally responsible individuals.
- Submitted by Pam Sagar on 11.29.06