Opinion

OPINION: In the U.S., We Have Chosen Representative Democracy

We Americans live in a represenTative democracy. That’s a fundamental feature of public life in the United States, a part of who we are as a people. We elect leaders to make decisions on our behalf. Read More
OPINION: Small Firms Get the Short End of the Stick Again in New York

The New York State budget process is a complex undertaking with an enormous impact on New York’s residents and businesses. Read More
OPINION: Biden lied about debt ceiling, Social Security in SOTU address

On Feb. 7, President Joe Biden engaged in a baseless fear-mongering campaign, accusing U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and the new House Republican majority of attempting to withhold approval of increasing the $31.4 trillion national debt ceiling unless steep cuts are made to Social Security and Medicare. Read More
OPINION: Plenty of Work Ahead as State-Budget Process Begins

Gov. Kathy Hochul’s executive budget proposal, delivered recently, sets another record high for state spending. Read More
OPINION: It’s time to do away with the debt ceiling

Here we go again. The United States crashed through the nation’s debt ceiling on Jan. 19, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. For now, the government is relying on accounting tweaks and shifting money from one pot to another to pay the bills. But that only works for so long. Read More
OPINION: A Lawmaker’s Impossible Task

I don’t remember when it first occurred to me after arriving in Washington, D.C. many years ago that at its heart, being a member of Congress meant never being entirely satisfied. Read More
OPINION: It’s now or never for Congress to cut spending

Discretionary spending has risen by nearly $357 billion — a 26 percent jump to $1.7 trillion — since fiscal year 2019, according to data compiled by the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Read More
OPINION: Judicial Nomination Turned Into Another Albany Fiasco

As in so many instances in Albany, basic, fundamental democratic processes are frustrated by political agendas and needless dysfunction. Read More
OPINION: House dysfunction is cause for alarm

Like many Americans, I watched with dismay [in early January] as the U.S. House of Representatives struggled through 15 votes over four days to select a new speaker. Read More