There is a terrible cynicism to Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan’s master Medicare plan. What the pair are banking on is the notion that anyone age 55 and older, who would be unaffected by it, doesn’t give a hoot about anyone 54 and younger. more

Paul Ryan is Tim Tebow. Ryan is who you want on the field as a strong second to the president. He’ll make all the big plays when called upon. more

School spending plans passed at a high rate on Long Island and throughout New York state last week, ending the first budget season in which districts were limited by the state’s new tax levy cap. more

Next year’s budget for Baldwin schools makes the best of a bad situation. The choices district officials had to make on spending were grim, but they were realistic, and based on many hours of careful consideration. While there may be regret about the plan’s cost-cutting measures, there should not be anger, and voting “no” on the budget as an expression of vitriol would be a mistake. Voters who do so would actually be disadvantaging the students they hope to protect. The outcome would not be a restoration of programs, schools or jobs, but rather an even more savage slashing of funds that would gut district activities and significantly reduce the quality of life for students and non-students alike. more

The Baldwin Public Library urges all residents to vote on the proposed library budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year on Tuesday, May 15, from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at Baldwin High School. more

Last week, state leaders approved a $132.6 billion budget for 2012-13 that includes funding and a study for the redevelopment of Belmont Park. For many local residents, who've been urging development there for years, the announcement was considered a bout of luck. more

According to the FBI, Medicare and Medicaid fraud cost the American taxpayer over $80 billion a year. more

At the Board of Education’s third and final budget work session on Feb. 15 at Baldwin High School, the school board delayed a final vote on the 2012-13 budget. The board did, however, confirm that the Milburn and Shubert schools would be closed next school year, and promised to reach a decision on kindergarten cuts at its meeting on March 14. more

One week after the Baldwin Board of Education’s Facilities Review Task Force recommended the closure of two of the district’s elementary schools, Superintendent Dr. James Mapes weighed in with his recommendations to the board. They included closing the Shubert and Milburn schools and halving Baldwin’s kindergarten program, among other belt-tightening measures. more

In his budget address, Governor Andrew Cuomo highlighted his two key initiatives for New York State — reducing public-sector pension costs, and implementing an evaluation system for schoolteachers. Gov. Cuomo is the state’s top executive, elected by the people, so who’s supporting his plans? It’s the state’s public workers unions and the teachers’ union — they are suing the governor in court. Did anyone elect the unions to be in charge of the state’s pension and school systems? more