Published in Times Union January 6, 2021 On Wednesday, 40 state lawmakers will begin their first term with the traditional oath to support the United States and New York state constitutions. These freshmen lawmakers will have sworn their oath, however, at a moment when their power has been surrendered to the governor by their predecessors….
Tag: albany
Times Union OpEd: Lawmakers have largely abondoned our school districts
Published in Times Union November 24, 2020 Unfunded mandates are not uncommon for school districts in New York, but what we are witnessing now — increased mandates with the threat of decreased resources — is a first. Our schools and those who support them have been essential in the fight during this pandemic. Yet for…
Times Union OpEd: Denying a child an education to promote a plan is troubling
Published in Times Union December 19, 2019 On the heels of the recently repealed religious exemption from immunizations, another public health bill has found its way into the New York state Legislature. And, yet again, this legislation would create another requirement that puts at risk the education of students who attend public school. In June…
Letter To Albany: Proposed HPV legislation for education
The local community has expressed opposition to proposed legislation currently under consideration in Albany. If passed, the legislation known as S298B in the State Senate and A2912 in the State Assembly, would require children entering the seventh grade to receive a vaccination for the human papillomavirus (HPV). As a parent and resident of New York,…
Graft Podcast Interview: School Bus Camera Bill
Graft Podcast Interview October 8, 2019– I was honored to be invited as a guest on the Graft Podcast to discuss the recently passed school bus camera legislation. Graft is a weekly podcast exploring and exposing the systemic corruption, waste and abuse that infect New York’s political and governmental institutions. Co-hosts Flip Pidot and Jim…
Letter To Suffolk County Legislature: School bus camera revenue should go back to children
On August 6, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed into law Bill A4950B, amending current traffic laws and permitting school districts and transportation companies–in coordination with local counties and municipalities–to install safety cameras on school buses to record traffic violations. This measure is sure to have a positive impact on school bus safety, but under this…
Times Union OpEd: State hijacking revenue from School Bus Camera Bill
Published in Times Union September 13, 2019 Few New Yorkers would disagree that the safety of our children is a priority. Even before being signed into law by Gov. Andrew Cuomo last month, the vote on what’s known as the School Bus Camera Bill showed Albany lawmakers in unanimous agreement. The new law authorizes cameras…
Times Union OpEd: Manage state spending instead of adding internet tax
Published in Times Union February 11, 2019 In the weeks prior to the passage of New York’s 2018-2019 budget, many elected officials called on lawmakers to include a new “internet tax.” The primary explanation for the proposal — supported by Gov. Andrew Cuomo and others — was that it would “level the playing field” for…
Letter To Albany: Babylon station already funds MTA Police coverage
The most recent SCPD community meeting at the West Babylon Public Library was attended by a crowd more substantial than usual. Despite the concerns commonly raised at the community meetings, there was one that seemed to be looming large over the anxious residents in attendance. Residents were gathering to express their united concern about safety…
Christopher Paolillo 