On Feb. 22, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said, “There must be pension reform in the budget.” I couldn’t agree more, budget or otherwise, as I wrote in my last column, “Cuomo mandates reform of $140 billion state pension system.” more

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is currently insisting that the state Legislature approve a new Tier VI pension plan that would require “future” government employees to pick between a defined benefit plan and a defined contribution plan that is similar to a 401(K). more

On Feb. 1, I had the opportunity to visit Molloy College and listen to the governor’s presentation explaining his current executive budget and reform plan. Its formal title was “Building a New New York … With You.” more

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

I’m sure you’re well aware that I’ve become a bit smitten with judging Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s performance over the past few months. more

I’m sure you’re well aware that I’ve become a bit smitten with judging Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s performance over the past few months. Why? It’s not that I don’t like the guy. He has shown a lot of cheek since he took office, which seems to be reflected in recent polls. On Jan. 1 his public relations staff issued a press release claiming that, “in the 12 months since his inauguration, he has transformed Albany and made government work once again for the people, passing a balanced (on time) budget, capping property taxes, driving innovative regional economic development and enacting historic, fair tax rates etc.” more

On Nov. 10, in the course of a radio interview, Gov. Andrew Cuomo remarked “that his sky-high poll numbers are less about him personally and more about the renewed pride New Yorkers are taking in state government since he took office.” more

By chance, I happened to notice that on Nov. 9, The Huffington Post reported that a potential Republican challenger to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a 2014 gubernatorial race, was defeated in his reelection bid for Erie County executive. more

On Jan. 5, 2011, Gov. Andrew Cuomo, in a ceremonial oath of office, promised “to restore New Yorkers’ faith in a capital racked by fiscal turmoil and ethical lapses.” In his State of the State … more

All of my columns have been in an effort to bring the need for real reform in Albany to the attention of Herald readers. more