Rather than admit that what they’ve done isn’t working — as evidenced by the fact that New York state has the highest population loss, the second-highest taxes and the second-worst business climate of any state in the county, according to Forbes magazine — Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York City politicians who control the State Legislature are doubling down on their bad bets in the new state budget more

For the third straight year, Gov. Kathy Hochul and progressive lawmakers who control Albany are attempting to advance a housing plan that would usurp local zoning laws that were put in place decades ago to protect the health, safety and character of the suburban communities we cherish on Long Island and throughout the state. more

An aphorism often attributed to Mark Twain states that “History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme.” Readers of a certain age will, as I do, recall the upheavals of the 1960s and early ’70s. Recent events set me musing about the similarities and differences between today’s “student protests” and those of yesteryear. more

One hundred years have now passed since the original Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced on the federal level. On Nov. 5, we New Yorkers will decide whether to modernize our own state Constitution. Currently, that Constitution protects only against racial and religious discrimination. It does not prohibit discrimination against groups that have been historically targeted, including those with disabilities, LGBTQ people, women and immigrants. This measure lands on the ballot after legislation to push it forward passed both houses of the State Legislature in two successive terms. more

So how did we get to this point? This isn’t an exercise in placing blame. It would be impossible to assign blame when the system that allowed this situation to develop has been in place for generations. But to find solutions, we need to understand how we got here. more

The Town of Hemptead recognized Clara Cooper on her 80th birthday. more

The numerous college demonstrations lately have given me a lot of mixed feelings. Having lived through the years when there were other demonstrations, I contrast how those incidents were handled with the present ones. In addition, I can’t help but feel some sadness about how our elected officials are reacting to these events. more

The data is clear: Kids spending more time online and on social media is detrimental to their mental health. more

Here’s an anniversary no one wants to celebrate: The Columbine school shooting — April 20, 1999 — just passed its 25th anniversary. Why, why, why bring up such a horrific event? Perhaps because it hasn’t stopped. more

My reading of history, however, is that for the most part — whether it be everyday people, intellectuals or world leaders — there was little realization during those years that the world as they knew it was that much different from what had come before. Until it was. Or that tragedy lay ahead. Until it was too late. more