Keyword: 'New York state' | Herald Community Newspapers

The County Legislature approved more than $3 million in contracts on Jan. 10 to bring necessary equipment and services to the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, above.

Millions earmarked to stop bay discharge

The Nassau County Legislature approved more than $3 million in contracts on Jan. 10 for new equipment and upgrades at the Bay Park Sewage Treatment Plant, in an effort to end months of illegal sewage discharge into Reynolds Channel, which many residents and local officials have called a serious environmental health hazard. more

By Chris Engelhardt | 1/26/11

Back on Top

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

The West Hempstead school district's math department is devising a plan to increase state test scores.

W.H. math department devising new formula for success

In response to a drop in scores on last year’s state math exams, the math department at the West Hempstead school district is working with teachers and school administrators to devise a plan … more

Nakeda Ellis | 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

Pat Nicolosi, Democrat, and Ed Ra, Republican.

Ra, Nicolosi battle for Alfano’s Assembly seat

With longtime Assemblyman Thomas Alfano (R-North Valley Stream) deciding not to run for re-election, two newcomers are looking to represent New York’s 21st Assembly District. more

Andrew Hackmack and Lee Landor | 10/20/10