On Jan. 14, the New York Times reported that “President Obama on Friday announced an aggressive campaign to shrink the size of the federal government, a proposal less notable for its goal — the fight against bloat that has been embraced by every modern-day president — than for the political challenge it poses to a hostile Congress.” more

If Black Friday’s message is a broad-stroke “Buy! Buy! Buy!” then the theme of the more focused Small Business Saturday is “Buy local!” So that’s the theme — to shop on the day after the day after Thanksgiving this year. more

If Black Friday’s message is a broad-stroke “Buy! Buy! Buy!” then the theme of the more focused Small Business Saturday is “Buy local!” So that’s the theme to shop … more

Halfway through his first term as county executive, Ed Mangano is proposing yet another budget that takes a hatchet to spending. more

The U.S. government faces a historic choice over the next very few years: get our fiscal house in order or see our status as a world economic power permanently lost in an avalanche of debt. Fiscal responsibility knows no party or ideological bounds. It is neither Democratic nor Republican, liberal or conservative. If our economy falters, the consequences will be dire for us all. Our children and grandchildren will face the very real prospect of living less well off than previous generations. The American Dream of ever-growing prosperity will evaporate. Our future will look more like that of bankrupt Greece. more

The East Rockaway School District is proposing a $34.32 million budget for 2011-12, a 2.94 percent increase over the current spending plan. The tax levy would increase by 3.77 percent. Even … more

South Nassau Communities Hospital, like business and residents all over the South Shore, is having to take measures to deal with the rising costs of fuel, food and other commodities. Mark Bogen, … more

The Malverne Village Board of Trustees unanimously adopted its proposed 2011-12 budget last week. The April 21 adoption was quick as three of the four trustees and Malverne Mayor Patricia McDonald … more

Malverne Village officials have cut spending for the coming year, but due to declining revenues, village taxpayers will still have to pay a little extra next year. The proposed $14.37 million … more

The Merrick Board of Education adopted the school district’s 2011-12 budget at its April 12 meeting. more