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VIEWPOINT: Supreme Court Sets Legal Standard for Students Claiming Disability Discrimination
The Supreme Court recently issued a unanimous decision in A. J. T. v. Osseo Area Schools, Independent School Dist. No. 279 that changes the standard for students pursuing disability-discrimination claims against schools under Section 504. The case was initiated by the parents of a teenager with epilepsy that caused her to be unable to attend […]
Ask Rusty: Can My Husband Work Part Time and Collect SS?
Dear Rusty: I am writing to you on behalf of my husband. His intentions are to go part time as of Jan. 1, 2026, working 30 hours a week and take Social Security (SS) benefits as supplemental income. How can we determine what his SS benefit would be with him still working part time? He
VIEWPOINT: When the Map No Longer Matches the Terrain
Last year at the [XLoD Global – New York] conference, I spoke about how interconnectedness across markets, functions, and geographies challenges the illusion that risks could be managed in isolation. That view still holds true. But this year I want to go deeper. Because what’s emerging now is not just a more interconnected world
VIEWPOINT: The Failure of Raise the Age: A Gift to New York’s Gangs
Raising the age of criminal responsibility in New York state has created a nightmare scenario that opened statutory loopholes which prohibit law enforcement and prosecutors from doing their job. As a result of this reckless policy failure, youth violence in New York has skyrocketed while gangs recruit those under 18 to do their bidding knowing
Ask Rusty: Social Security Questions Asked Over Coffee
Dear Rusty: My coffee conversations among a group of friends have resulted in several questions about Social Security, including the following: 1. What happens to the Social Security account of someone who dies before retirement age? What happens to that money and where does it end up? 2. How does the decreased birth rate of
VIEWPOINT: Supreme Court Clarifies Standard in “Reverse Discrimination” Case under Title VII
The McDonnell Douglas standard, established in McDonnell Douglas Corp. v. Green, 411 U.S. 792 (1973), is a burden-shifting framework used to evaluate claims of employment discrimination. This standard applies to claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the New York State Human Rights Law (NYSHRL), and other related statutes. Under the
VIEWPOINT: Colleges Face Federal Requirement To Contact Students About Loan Debt
On May 5, 2025, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) released a “Request for Institutions to Provide Repayment Information to Former Students to Prevent Defaults” (GEN-25-19). Noting that “only 38 percent of Direct Loan and Department-held Federal Family Education Loan Program borrowers are in repayment and current on their student loans,” ED estimates that “almost
Ask Rusty: How do I apply for Social Security?
Dear Rusty: I just turned 65 years old in February 2025. I need to sign up for Social Security but don’t even know where to start. Signed: Seeking Assistance Dear Seeking Assistance: It’s fairly easy to sign up for your Social Security (SS) benefits, by either calling the Social Security Administration (SSA) at (800) 772-1213
VIEWPOINT: The Southern Tier Can’t Afford to Fall Behind on Economic Growth
The Southern Tier has long been a region of opportunity. Growing up in Binghamton, I witnessed firsthand how thriving industries provided for families and sustained vibrant communities. But over the past few decades, we have watched prosperity slip away. The Southern Tier once thrived on manufacturing that provided stable, middle-class jobs. But as companies moved
VIEWPOINT: The Time is Now for Binghamton’s Clinton Street
Early in my career in public service, I knew that Binghamton’s Clinton Street was special. With its historic bones, walkable footprint, affordable neighborhoods, and eclectic mix of shops and eateries, Clinton Street really was the best kept secret in our community. Thanks to the recent announcement of a $10 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant
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