Keyword: 'New York state' | Herald Community Newspapers

Cuomo: Local governments are antiquated, inefficient

During his campaign, Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo’s transition team released a detailed and well-annotated report outlining plans for “Rightsizing Government.” The report’s findings and recommendations reiterate much of what the previous columns in this series have suggested: that New York state’s Public Authorities and agencies have “become too big, too expensive, and too ineffective — an ever proliferating tangle of boards, commissions, councils, departments, divisions, offices, task forces and public authorities, [that] the taxpaying public can no longer afford.“ Amen. more

Hal Peterson | 12/1/10

Brian Curran, left, and Ed Ra are taking over for two veteran assemblymen in neighboring districts in western Nassau County.

An interview with Brian Curran and Edward Ra

The Herald sat down with newly-elected NYS Assemblymen Brian Curran and Edward Ra. more

Andrew Hackmack with video by Mary Malloy | 11/24/10

An open letter to Sen. Dean Skelos

Back in early August, I began to consider writing a series of columns on reforming New York’s dysfunctional state government. Friends and neighbors were not aware of my interest in this subject; others suggested that no amount of disclosure and transparency could possibly make a difference. more

11/17/10

An open letter to Sen. Dean Skelos

Back in early August, I began to consider writing a series of columns on reforming New York’s dysfunctional state government. Friends and neighbors were not aware of my interest in this subject; others suggested that no amount of disclosure and transparency could possibly make a difference. more

Hal Peterson | 11/10/10

Local incumbents keep their seats

The anticipated nationwide wave to oust incumbents didn’t make it all the way to the South Shore this Election Day, as most current office holders — both Democrats and Republicans — … more

Lee Landor | 11/10/10

The illusion of reform: What happened to change we can believe in?

As I’ve mentioned in my four prior columns, our state authorities and agencies are not sufficiently accountable to the public. In the past decade alone there have been multiple reports by the state Comptroller’s office, governors’ commissions and public sector watchdog groups about this. Efforts to legislate greater accountability by officials who have focused their attention on authorities have met with limited success. more

Hal Peterson | 10/27/10

The debate hall at Hofstra about an hour before the event began.

Hofstra hosts first gubernatorial debate

The David S. Mack Sports and Exhibition Complex at Hofstra University was the site for the first gubernatorial debate of the 2010 election.Democrat Andrew Cuomo and Republican Carl Paladino were … more

Mike Caputo | 10/18/10

George Sava, left, is challengin incumbent Dean Skelos for his senate seat.

Sava challenges Skelos for state Senate seat

George Sava, a Republican who switched to the Democratic Party in 2007, is mounting a vigorous campaign against Republican Minority Leader Dean Skelos in the 9th Senate District. more

Judy Rattner and Jeff Bessen | 10/13/10

Rockville Centre school administrators give state exam plans a failing grade

“Just when you think everything’s going well,” said school Superintendent Dr. William Johnson of new testing guidelines recently issued by the New York State Education Department, “it’s not.” more

Judy Rattner | 10/6/10

Is New York state insolvent?

As the New York Times reported on Sept. 11, at the insistence of the S.E.C. “New Jersey agreed never again to fraudulently hide its underfunding of the state's public pension system.” Hide or not, many states (including New York) have invested too little money in public pension funds. This represents a huge hidden liability for both current and future taxpayers. more

Hal Peterson | 9/29/10