Entries Tagged 'Research' ↓

Take this quote from a channel 4 news story:

The goal is for people to spend those checks on goods and jump start a struggling economy.

President George W. Bush recognized many will use the money on necessities.

President Bush said, “This money will help offset high prices at the pump and grocery store.”

and Consider this…. New York Average Gas & Fuel Prices
Diesel $4.32
Super Unleaded $3.74
Unleaded Plus $3.55
Unleaded $3.39

and this…

Lowest State Avg: $3.04 - New Jersey
Highest State Avg: $3.66 - California
National Average: $3.29

“economic stimulus package”???? Check this: Vendors and the poor alike getting squeezed by food costs
Price hikes are worst to hit U.S. in 17 years

Keep in mind: Persons below poverty,(US census 1999)

Rochester: 25.9%
Buffalo: 26.6%
Syracuse: 27.3%

Yet this chart tells another tale and a different scale:

Now take a look at this next news story …. Thruway authority voting toll increase 10% for next couple years

and this… Coal price hikes boost electric rates, more increases coming

So the President thinks we should be rewarded because we’re forced to spend more no matter what…. then he’s hoping we’ll put our “economic stimulus” check towards shopping at the mall? WTF? If we don’t pay the electric bill (no matter what increase is added) we’ll have to go without. I hope these government rewards come every month because despite this one-time lumps sum…. OUR COST OF LIVING ISN’T GOING DOWN!!!!!!!

It’s a rock and a hard place that we’re stuck between. Americans have to drive to work to earn a wage, then we’re (all) forced to tighten our belts when the cost of living gets to be too much because minimum wage was increased…. and like clock-work, the cost of living increases as it always does, but I don’t recall such a sudden impact like this one.

As if the President of the United States didn’t realize “a struggling economy” is the result of the working class poor of Americans struggling to survive day to day life.

I know, I know, when it comes to Member Item spending, it means “use it or lose it”. But now that they know we’re watching, do you think they will change the way member items are shared with the communities they represent?

13 Erie Sen. Stachowski South Buffalo Business Exposition $7,000.00
Additional Item Information
Project Description : Sponsor promotional event for South Buffalo Business, Cultural and Community Organizations which is hosted in Cazenovia Park.
Registered Agency : EcDev
Full Name : Anne Enger, President
Address : 2019 Seneca Street Buffalo, NY 14210

Mark J.F. Schroeder
New York State Assembly
2019 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY 14210

87 Erie Assm. Schroeder CAN YOU DIG IT, INC. $14,000.00
Additional Item Information
Project Description : FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR A CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM WHICH WILL INCLUDE LIVE MUSIC AND FIREWORKS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PEOPLE.
Registered Agency : OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Full Name : RAYMOND MCGURN

Organization: Goin’ South
Meeting Dates: Varies
Time:
Where:
Contact: Ray McGurn (716) 824-4461
From the Erie County Democratic Committee / clubs

I guess it missed someone’s attention that these two events are always scheduled for the same date, time & location. I guess it was missed that …

From an event of a previous year:

$21,000 - Thank you taxpayers for a one day event in South Buffalo every summer that is plagued with political overtones.

Here’s something that should brighten up the days of (all) New Yorkers: Project Sunlight.

Project Sunlight is an effort by my office to promote your right to know and to monitor governmental decision-making. This website - the first of its kind in New York - allows you to easily access statewide government information that until now has been scattered and difficult to retrieve.

Of course, Project Sunlight would not be available without the support of Governor Eliot Spitzer, Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. Their agreement - and the support of the entire legislature - ensured that start-up funding for Project Sunlight was included in this year’s state budget.

Currently, we are working on the first phase of this project: collecting and standardizing different data and making it available to you on a comprehensive, easy-to-search website. During this initial phase, you have the ability to search the Project Sunlight website to examine information related to campaign finance, legislation, lobbying activity, and recipients of state government contracts.

Our goal is to promote disclosure as well as to increase government’s transparency and accountability to you. As James Madison, the Founding Father of the Bill of Rights observed, “Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.”

We look forward to receiving your comments or suggestions, and any requests for additional information you would like to see made publicly available. We will incorporate your ideas into a more robust version in 2008.

We hope this website is helpful to you.

Sincerely,

Attorney General Andrew Cuomo

I know I’ll will be spending a lot of my time on the Member Item Map

If there is ever a site to bookmark, this is the one!

Here are just a few things that I put into question:

87 Erie Assm. Schroeder CAN YOU DIG IT, INC. $14,000.00
Additional Item Information
Project Description : FUNDS WILL BE USED FOR A CULTURAL ENRICHMENT PROGRAM WHICH WILL INCLUDE LIVE MUSIC AND FIREWORKS FOR APPROXIMATELY 2,000 PEOPLE.
Registered Agency : OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Full Name : RAYMOND MCGURN

97 Erie Assm. Schroeder SOUTH BUFFALO COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION, INC. $11,000.00
Additional Item Information
Project Description : FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES FOR BOTH YOUTH AND SENIOR CITIZENS. FUNDS WILL ALSO BE USED TO PURCHASE FLAGS AND DECORATIONS FOR NEIGHBORHOOD BUSINESS STRIPS.
Registered Agency : OFFICE OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY SERVICES
Full Name : KRIS PARISI

130 Erie Assm. Schroeder SOUTH BUFFALO ALIVE $10,000.00
Additional Item Information
Project Description : FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE LANDSCAPING AND BEAUTIFICATION SERVICES TO PUBLIC PARKS, CIRCLES, ETC.
Registered Agency : OFFICE OF PARKS, RECREATION AND HISTORIC PRESERVATION
Full Name : MAUREEN KRAUSE

I got my gas bill today and while in a conversation about the taxation of New Yorkers, I looked back on something I wrote 2 years ago (almost to the date). As I read it the way it was written, I see that with the same old people in office, nothing changed to help the taxpayers of Buffalo & Erie County in Western New York.

The Western New York Citizen Petition for a complete audit of the New York Power Authority (NYPA). (sent in an email to the New York State Comptroller, Jan. 2nd, 2006)

In these difficult fiscal times, both the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie in New York State are under the rule of separate control boards. In these difficult fiscal times, both the City of Buffalo and the County of Erie residents are facing increased local taxes as well as higher utility rates.

This proposal, written in the standard format of government resolutions, is for the citizens of Western New York to petition our New York State, encourage our County, City/town/village leaders of support therein, to comprise a complete audit of the NYPA; an act that will bring relief to how much the people pay for electricity in a part of New York State that has the mighty Niagara Falls right in our own back yard.

WHEREAS, on September 19, 2005- Congressman Brian Higgins said, “The strong showing of community support for my proposal sends a clear message to the Power Authority: Erie County and Buffalo will not stand to be forgotten. It is time for NYPA to pay attention to the people of Erie County, and offer a fair settlement that will help to revitalize and infuse this area with the construction and redevelopment which it desperately needs.”

The Higgins’ proposal calls for $10 million each year over the 50 year license period, with 3% compounded annually, to be directed to the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation for brownfield remediation and waterfront redevelopment. NYPA’s “take it or leave it offer” of $2 million to Buffalo and Erie County has been rejected by the Erie County Legislature and the Buffalo Common Council and

WHEREAS, Congressman Higgins’ Statement on Announcement That State Comptroller Will Audit Niagara Power Project, OCTOBER 19, 2005 - “As I have said time and time again, the Niagara Power Project was not constructed to subsidize the waste and abuse of the New York Power Authority; it was constructed to harness the best elements of Western New York’s vast natural resource toward the economic and life-quality betterment of the people of Western New York. I am certain that the leadership of NYPA will be a full and cooperative partner with the Comptroller’s efforts, and that the comprehensive review of the Comptroller’s findings, which are certain to follow, will be beneficial to all residents of Western New York.”

WHEREAS, on November 17, 2005 - “The relicensing process offers Buffalo and Erie County a once in 50-year opportunity to demand that this region receives its fair share of the sizable profits garnered by the Power Authority thanks to the Niagara Power Project, one of the most magnificent natural power sources in the world, located here in our own backyard,” said Congressman Higgins. “This process is complex yet so important to the future of Western New York. I encourage business leaders and residents to come to the forum to learn more about what is at stake.”

The Niagara Power Project was created by federal law in 1957 with the primary intent of supporting economic development and residents in Western New York. The New York Power Authority holds a license for the Niagara Power Project which expires on August 31, 2007. Congressman Higgins has led the way in negotiating for a better settlement for Western New York residents and businesses.

WHEREAS, on December 6, 2005 - Win for Western New York, Congressman Higgins released the following statement regarding the victory for Western New York and the Buffalo waterfront on the NYPA settlement offer of $279 million over 50 years for Buffalo and Erie County:

“This settlement agreement is a win for our community and will provide major assistance to waterfront development efforts in Western New York. This gives us the resources and local control to do what has not been done here in decades– bring real economic and recreational opportunity to the Buffalo waterfront, part of the Power Project’s host community, which desperately deserves it. This is a new day and a significant step forward.”

WHEREAS, the ERIE COUNTY LEGISLATURE MEETING NO. 27 OCTOBER 27, 2005 - RESOLUTION NO. 286 RE: Support for an Inflation-Protected $10 Million Settlement with the NYPA

MS. MARINELLI moved to amend the item for co-sponsorship. MR. DeBENEDETTI
seconded.

CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
ADD the following as Co-Sponsors: DEBENEDETTI, DUSZA, HOLT, KUWIK, MARINELLI, SMITH, WROBLEWSKI, WEINSTEIN, SWANICK, CHASE

MS. MARINELLI moved for the approval of the item as amended. MR. DUSZA seconded.
CHAIRMAN HOLT directed that a roll-call vote be taken.

AYES: CHASE, MARSHALL, McCARVILLE, RANZENHOFER, SWANICK, WEINSTEIN, DeBENEDETTI, DUSZA, HOLT, KENNEDY, KUWIK, MARINELLI, SMITH and WROBLEWSKI.

ABSTAINED: CUSACK

CARRIED. And

WHEREAS, on December 14, 2005 - Governor George E. Pataki today announced an agreement in principle between the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and KeySpan that will provide substantial benefits to LIPA customers, including the freezing of electric rates for two years and rate reductions and/or rebates, while also maintaining reliable service, improving efficiency, lowering debt service, and promoting cleaner plants and technologies.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the people of Western New York and municipalities therein request of State leaders to conduct a complete audit of the New York Power Authority, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the people of Western New York and municipalities therein, under the right of the United States Constitution, petition New York State leaders to prevent further electric increases during such fiscal hardships to its citizens, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the people of Western New York and municipalities therein want our elected leaders, in such hard times, to bring relief to our own pockets; New Yorkers pay one of the highest energy rates in the Country with the largest Natural energy recourse this side of the United States of America, and

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED the people of Western New York and municipalities therein want our elected leaders to bring down the cost of electricity that we, as taxpaying citizen pay towards our “National Grid” bill each month.

By sending this citizens’ petition, it is understood that the desire and wishes therein is to stop excessive energy rates from increasing by way of the New York Power Authority, via the leaders we have elected to office within New York State.

As an American citizen in the State of New York, am sending this resolution as a Western New York resident whom requests a full audit of the NYPA upon the understanding to reduce the cost Western New York taxpayers pay for natural electricity.

That’s “Chris mas” (minus the T) because I read an article in the Buffalo News today: Collins adds 10 to transition team

• Former state Attorney General Dennis Vacco, who was among the Republicans who thought Collins would make a good county executive. After serving a term as attorney general, Vacco became a lobbyist and was accused by the state Lobbying Commission of irregularities in the way it filed documents. Vacco’s wife, Kelly, is the GOP’s preference for a vacancy on the Erie County Water Authority.

• Former state Motor Vehicles Commissioner Nancy A. Naples, who as Erie County comptroller in 2004 said the government was not running a deficit when it was, as outside auditors would prove. She resigned as comptroller in 2005, before her term expired.

• Lobbyist Marina Woolcock, a former aide to County Executive Joel A. Giambra. Woolcock is president of the firm Government Action Professionals Inc. It includes former Buffalo Mayor Anthony M. Masiello and former Deputy County Executive Carl Calabrese.

• State Sen. Mary Lou Rath, R-Williamsville, who helped Collins campaign and is the daughter-in-law of the first Erie County executive. Her son, Edward Rath III, will join the County Legislature in January.

• Alphonso O’Neil-White, president and chief executive officer of HealthNow New York, the county’s health care provider.

• Dan Gernatt, the chief executive of Gernatt Asphalt Products, which has been a vendor on county road projects.

• Anne Leary, an activist instrumental in preventing a Wal-Mart from landing in East Aurora.

• Mark Celmer, former president and chief executive of Multisorb Technologies.

• Paul Harder, chief executive of the Cliffstar Corp., a private-label juice company in Dunkirk.

• Robert Sadler Jr., vice chairman of M&T Bank.

The top 4 are old-school politicians. Nice gift for County Ex-elect to give by appointing these people to his new cabinet. As if Bob Wilmers isn’t enough, he’s added someone else from M&T Bank. How can we expect this company to “clean up” Erie County when they can’t handle the maintance of their own branches, and hire security for more than two days a week?

Alphonso O’Neil-White is on the board of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, which I’ve been told is anti-union and not helpful to the small businesses of our area.

Dan Gernatt, Gernatt Asphalt Products is a big-time campaign contributer to the Republican National Committee, Reynolds for Congress, the Bush/Chaney campaign 2004, and Nancy Naples to name a few.

Paul Harder, We can all sing: “It’s a small world afterall” now…. Assemblyman Mark J. F. Schroeder worked for Cliffstar Corp., a private-label juice company in Dunkirk.

Yesterday I saw Avril Lavigne’s new video: Girlfriend

It has a nice club beat but the content, well in my opinion, adds to the peer pressure teenage girls go through. Watching the video (about stealing another girl’s guy) promotes violence & vindictiveness one girl can play on another. Avril makes it look like it’s fun when it isn’t in real life. Impressionable girls want to be like her & an over-played music video will do that. Who’s helping teens develop the skills required to settle conflicts without violence when (female) music icons show us it’s “ok” for girls to bully another for a boy?

Props to Mike in WNY for this great post & link to the 2007-08 Budget Analysis.

The first paragragh reads like this:

Executive Summary
New York has embarked on a new era. For the first time in more than a decade the people of this State are represented by all new statewide officials— Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Comptroller and Attorney General. This new leadership, with an eye on reform, is poised to make great strides in overhauling New York’s approach to conducting government business. The Legislature and the Governor should be applauded for having already joined forces to enact a longawaited budget reform package, of which many provisions have been advocated by numerous Comptrollers over many decades.

Then it says:

While the Executive Budget incorporates certain positive measures, there are a number of areas where the proposal falls short of reform, and in fact, repeats many of the poor fiscal management practices adopted in prior years.

Need more to applaud?

outstanding State-Funded debt will increase to $65.6 billion by the end of 2011-12, representing a 27.1 percent increase from 2006-07 and a 97.9 percent increase from 1997. State-Funded debt service is projected to increase to $7.2 billion in 2011-12, an increase of $2.1 billion, or 40.9 percent, from 2007-08 and an increase of 138.1 percent from 1997. Since 1997, State-Funded debt has grown at an average annual rate of 4.7 percent—almost double the average rate of inflation.

General Fund Disbursements in 2006-07
Compared to Financial Plan:
General Fund disbursements in 2006-07 are now expected to total $51.1 billion, an increase of $248 million, or 0.5 percent, over the May 2006 Enacted Budget Report, which was $50.8 billion.

Applaud … Appalled … it’s all the same in New York State

Here are some Spring things on the first day of Spring

Vernal Equinox, 8:07 P.M. EDT
The word equinox is derived from the Latin words meaning “equal night.” The vernal, or spring, equinox is the point at which the Sun appears to cross the celestial equator from south to north, signaling the beginning of nature’s renewal in the Northern Hemisphere.

March 20, 2007, is a date that most of us recognize as symbolic of changing seasons. As we welcome spring, people south of the equator are actually gearing up for the cooler temperatures of autumn.

What Happens at the Equinox?
Far from being an arbitrary indicator of the changing seasons, March 20 (March 21 in some years) is significant for astronomical reasons. On March 20, 2007, at precisely 8:07 P.M. EDT (March 21, 00:07 Universal Time), the Sun will cross directly over the Earth’s equator. This moment is known as the vernal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere. For the Southern Hemisphere, this is the moment of the autumnal equinox.

Equinox Means “Equal Night”
Translated literally, equinox means “equal night.” Because the sun is positioned above the equator, day and night are about equal in length all over the world during the equinoxes. A second equinox occurs each year on September 22 or 23; in 2007, it will be on September 23 at 5:51 A.M. EDT (09:51 UT). This date will mark the autumnal equinox in the Northern Hemisphere and the vernal equinox in the Southern (vernal denotes “spring”).

Reasons for the Seasons
These brief but monumental moments owe their significance to the 23.4 degree tilt of the Earth’s axis. Because of the tilt, we receive the Sun’s rays most directly in the summer. In the winter, when we are tilted away from the Sun, the rays pass through the atmosphere at a greater slant, bringing lower temperatures. If the Earth rotated on an axis perpendicular to the plane of the Earth’s orbit around the Sun, there would be no variation in day lengths or temperatures throughout the year, and we would not have seasons.

Rituals and Traditions
Modern astronomy aside, people have recognized the vernal equinox for thousands of years. There is no shortage of rituals and traditions surrounding the coming of spring. Many early peoples celebrated for the basic reason that their food supplies would soon be restored. The date is significant in Christianity because Easter always falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after the vernal equinox. It is also probably no coincidence that early Egyptians built the Great Sphinx so that it points directly toward the rising Sun on the day of the vernal equinox.

The first day of spring also marks the beginning of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. The celebration lasts 13 days and is rooted in the 3,000-year-old tradition of Zorastrianism.

Summer is a short 93 days away so Happy Spring everyone

I looked at the appropriations in the City of Buffalo’s adopted budget:

Page 20:

The 2007-08 current-services gap is mainly the result of projected spending increases to support current service levels and the loss of nonrecurring resources used to help balance the Budget in 2006-07, which together exceed annual growth in revenues. The following chart provides a “zero-based” look at the projected 2007-08 General Fund budget gap that is closed by the Executive Budget. The chart shows the annual growth from 2006-07 estimated revenue and spending levels. 

Page 21:

 

Mr. Governor, we’re still waiting for “Day one”.