Keyword: 'New York State' | Herald Community Newspapers

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Long Island’s nine senators will become part of the Republican majority in the New York State Senate next month, and as their leader, Sen. Dean Skelos of Rockville Centre is expected to have their … more

Judy Rattner | 12/8/10

Jan. 3 tax-exemption deadline fast approaching

State Sen. Charles Fuschillo Jr. is reminding Nassau County residents that the deadline to file applications for New York’s STAR program and other property-tax exemptions offered by Nassau County … more

12/6/10

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

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

Robert Brase with the Oceanside High School Thespians board. Brase was named the New York State Theater Education Administrator of the Year by the New York State Theater Educators Association.

And the award goes to . . .

When Robert Brase was presented with his New York State Theater Education Administrator of the Year award on Oct. 18 at an Oceanside Board of Education meeting, he couldn’t help but compare himself … more

TOM STEINERT | 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