It wasn't too long ago that New York was ranked close to the bottom in terms of organ harvesting and donation rates. In 2010, a little over 2.7 million New Yorkers were registered organ donors. While that may sound like a high number, it was only about...

Common Core—the new academic standards adopted by 46 states intended to make students ready for college and careers—was put into motion for grades K-12 this school year. The State Board of Regents adopted Common Core in 2010 in part to secure more...

Veteran’s Day is a time we honor our veterans and thank them for their service. We pause to reflect on their lives and appreciate how their sacrifices keep us safe and protect our country and our freedoms. I’ve always believed that New York State...

According to the most recent statistics reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, death by suicide surpassed death by motor vehicle crashes in 2010. Suicide rates for adults, ages 35-64, increased by 28% since 1999. A report issued by...

News of synthetic drugs is making headlines again. The governor recently signed legislation which expands the chemical ban of 2012. This new ban targets drugs used to make bath salts and psychedelic drugs and adds them to the Schedule 1 controlled substance...

A discussion about tax reform has started in Albany which I am glad to see take shape. Members of the State Senate Finance Committee have been holding hearings and asking the question – how do we improve our state’s tax policy? They have begun to...

To The Editor: Entergy Corporation recently announced that it is planning to shut down Yankee nuclear power plant—the only nuclear power plant in Vermont. This announcement should be of great concern to the Central New York community in light of...

In 2012, New York’s first Youth Firearms Deer Hunt was held on Columbus Day weekend. This has since become an annual event, thanks in part to legislation that passed in 2008 to expand big game hunting for junior hunters—those who are 14-15 years old....

Invasive species have been around since people began to travel. Some species have been around for over a hundred years, and we’ve largely learned to live with them. Others pose a more serious threat and have eradicated crops or species of domestic trees,...

In this year’s enacted state budget, changes were made to the STAR program that requires Basic STAR recipients to re-register. It became clear that the state needed to make changes to the program after a Comptroller’s audit found some property owners...

There is a new water level plan proposed for Lake Ontario that will threaten shoreline property, recreational activity, and damage public infrastructure. Plan 2014 has been proposed by the International Joint Commission (IJC). The IJC is comprised of...

College orientations are underway this time of year. Many of you may have children, grandchildren or relatives who are embarking on higher education in the coming weeks, or even in the coming years. In April, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported...

Typically, a lot of bills pass the state legislature at the end of session. Once the legislature adjourns for the year, the Governor reviews the bills and determines which ones he wants to sign into law. In this column, I highlight a few bills of interest...

The latest State Department of Labor newsletter for CNY states the unemployment rate is the lowest it has been in four years. Signs do point to economic growth, especially in the area of food processing for our local region. According to the Department...

With summer in full bloom, it is the opportune time for residents and visitors alike to take part in the wealth of activities our communities have to offer. I’m proud to represent a district where tourism represents a growing sector of the local economy....

A few weeks ago, the Governor proposed what he is dubbing the Tax-Free NY Program. Understanding that his success as governor greatly depends on whether he can provide the leadership to help turn around New York's languishing economy, Cuomo is pushing...

These last weeks of session include a push by lawmakers to get several priority bills passed. My end-of-session priorities include getting tax breaks for farmers and active military. We need harsher laws for synthetic drug users and dealers on par with...