Opinion

OPINION: In the Constitution, Congress Comes First — In Real Life, Not So Much

There is a reason the founders started with Congress when they created the blueprint for our representative democracy. It’s the institution closest to the American people. Read More

OPINION: Overlooked Priorities Mark a Disappointing Albany Session

As legislators, we are charged with developing legislation to improve public safety, the economy, and the quality of life here in New York state. Unfortunately, over the last six months, not much of the legislation that passed moved the needle on any of these fundamental considerations. Read More

OPINION: Politicians take diverse roads to leadership

I wrote recently about international Leaders, world-changing figures Like Nelson Mandela and Mikhail Gorbachev. Today, I want to give credit to women and men I worked with in the U.S. Congress. Some are well-known and some aren’t, but all served their constituents energetically. Read More

OPINION: Federal Reserve pauses interest-rate hikes for now

The Federal Reserve has halted increasing its target interest rate, the Federal Funds Rate, at 5 percent to 5.25 percent, as consumer inflation reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) continues to slow down, now down to an elevated 4 percent the past 12 months. The prior month, it was 4.9 percent. Read More

OPINION: Remembering Remarkable Leaders

Nelson Mandela would walk into a room, and it would light up immediately. He had an eye-catching smile and a compelling, captivating personality. He exemplified charisma. In meetings and discussions, he would insist on shaking hands with everyone before starting business. Read More

OPINION: Ignoring Crime Won’t Make It Go Away

The Assembly majority conference in late May] blocked a package of bills designed to, among other things, curb rampant criminal recidivism, hold child murderers accountable, stop hate crimes against law enforcement and reduce gun crime. Read More

OPINION: This is How Divided Government Should Work

Before the memory of the recent debt-ceiling negotiations disappears and we confront the next new drama in Washington, D.C., let’s pause a moment to acknowledge what just happened. Read More

OPINION: Coming Together to Protect Vulnerable New Yorkers

One of the most important jobs we have as lawmakers is protecting the interests of those in danger. This is something nearly all legislators can agree on regardless of their political background or what region they represent. We must protect those who need it most. Read More

OPINION: Immigration policy should serve America’s interests

All eyes have been on the U.S. Mexico border in recent weeks as politicians and pundits assess the impact of changing rules for who can enter the United States. Read More