Dean Skelos is running the 9th District in New York State Senate against newcomer Thomas Feffer (D-Lynbrook). Skelos has been the Majority Leader in the senate since 2010. He is running for his … more

My first guest column, “Reforming New York’s dysfunctional state government” was published in the Herald back in August 2010. It addressed political and operational irresponsibility in Albany and noted that if not corrected, they could lead to a new phase of fiscal instability beyond anyone’s imagination. more

Regardless of whether you’re a politician in Washington or in Albany, the word “leader” is a big deal. There isn’t a member of Congress or a state legislator who doesn’t aspire to that title. more

With everything that has been going on in New York lately, it’s almost hard to remember that, just 24 months ago, we were the laughingstock of the country. more

Last week, state leaders approved a $132.6 billion budget for 2012-13 that includes funding and a study for the redevelopment of Belmont Park. For many local residents, who've been urging development there for years, the announcement was considered a bout of luck. more

“Saddened,” “upset” and “disappointed” were among the many dispirited words people used to describe Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s decision to veto a bill that would … more

The Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre received more than 250 items and 70 cases of beverages collected by local Coca-Cola employees in a donation on Nov. 17. It was the first delivery of five planned for the area. more

Those of us who have children or grandchildren are very familiar with the need to rein them in when they act up. The traditional way that has worked for all of us is to declare a … more

Col. John F. Barry, a Rockville Centre resident, has been inducted into the New York State Senate’s Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He was appointed by Sen. Dean Skelos. more

My last two columns, “As promised: keeping tabs” (June 30 – July 6) and “Is the bloom off the rose?” (July 21-27) provided information to evaluate the session-ending accomplishments of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Two fundamental questions were raised. Has there been a real transformation in addressing the way the “people’s business” is being managed in Albany? Do our political leaders really understand that the state of New York is still headed down a path of fiscal instability and requires levels of real reform hardly evident to date? more