"The budget created by Gov. Paterson, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith is a monstrously bloated, tax-and-spend plan that, in one fell swoop, reverses a three-decade-long effort to strengthen business and prevent taxpayers from fleeing the state." The quote is from Fred Dicker's column and well worth reading. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/news/columnists/setting_ny_back_30_yrs__162152.htm

The number of articles slamming the state budget "negotiated" by the "leaders" are unprecedented; even editorials that never agree with us are writing how this budget is out of touch with the reality of today's economic picture.

http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/2009/03/31/2009-03-31_rotten_sausage_paterson_silver_and_smith.html

http://www.buffalonews.com/opinion/editorials/story/621642.html

From the New York Times (article by Nicholas Confessore) "The process was so opaque that even veteran lobbyists and interest groups did not know exactly what would emerge when the budget proposal began printing late on Saturday night. Many were still sorting through the bills on Monday morning and discovering previously unknown cuts and fees. Neither the Senate nor the Assembly produced their own budget proposals, as was standard in past years, and even most lawmakers were kept in the dark.

Also in the New York Times (article by Danny Hakim) "Mr. Silver, the powerful and cagey Assembly speaker, achieved what he wanted in the budget that emerged from the shadows of the statehouse this weekend, cementing his newfound role as the capital’s center of gravity.
He won the policy fight, forcing Gov. David A. Paterson to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers, an idea that the governor decried as potentially disastrous three weeks ago. The $131.8 billion budget, which could hardly be called austere, is largely a reflection of the liberal tilt of Mr. Silver, and the Assembly’s predilection for big spending on social programs, no matter the economic climate. "

The New York Post writes "The spending plan picks the pockets of the private sector to the tune of $8 billion in new taxes and fees -- while the unions barely get a haircut. " Read more here:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/editorials/labors_big_payday_162112.htm

More worthwhile articles on the budget:
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/the_wfp_octopus_162094.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03312009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/losers_to_winners_162100.htm

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/03/31/2009-03-31_new_york_state_law_makes_play_hide_the_p-1.html

http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/state_of_shame/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_new_york_state_democrats_cheer_as_rest_o.html


One final article for today on the state budget http://www.nydailynews.com/opinions/columnists/hammond/index.html

More tomorrow, until then put your wallet in a safe place if you can find one in New York State!

The budget that the Leadership of New York State has agreed to is an affront to all of the citizens of New York. Governor Paterson, Leader Smith and Speaker Silver have caved to the most addictive nature of a politician: spending beyond their means with money that does not belong to them! By restoring proposed cuts and increasing spending by 9% when New Yorkers struggle to survive daily shows the disdain these "leaders" have for New York Citizens.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/03/30/2009-03-30_states_staggering_new_1318b_taxandspend_.html

The New York Post Editorial says it all: http://www.nypost.com/seven/03302009/postopinion/editorials/shellys_spending_spree_161960.htm

And if we want to know how this state has become a rudderless ship, Fred Dicker tells us: http://www.nypost.com/seven/03302009/news/columnists/meet_govs_bureaucrat_boneheads_162025.htm

Former Governor George E. Pataki takes on the disgraceful decision by the Port Authority to rename Freedom Tower http://www.nypost.com/seven/03282009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/selling_out_freedom_161699.htm and kudos to State Senator Marty Golden for introducing legislation to require that the Freedom Tower keeps the name!

Will someone please explain how President Obama has the ability to demand the resignation of a CEO in a private company? If the bailout money gives him this ability in his mind, why is the head of the union allowed to stay on? More on this to follow...

Weekly Wrap-Up

Another week, another primetime press conference from President Obama. We’re hearing a lot of talk from our President – with the help of his trusty teleprompter, of course – but Fred Barnes explains just how meaningless all this talk really is...

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/325noitc.asp

Just how out-of-control, ideological and incompetent are the liberals in Washington? George Will, as usual, has a great perspective...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/23/AR2009032302140.html

Mr. Will mentions the Democrats’ determination to impose government-run “universal” health care. Where will that take us? Make sure to read this article, which Shaun Marie also posted. It explains the situation in Massachusetts. It’s not a pretty picture...

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811121310853037.html

Knowing all these facts, it should come as no surprise that the Democrats in Washington are set to enact government-rationed health care through an underhanded move that will limit debate and silence conservatives. It makes President Obama’s talk about “change” seems more and more dishonest every day...

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/first100days/2009/03/26/reid-leaves-open-option-extreme-maneuver-health-care-energy-overhauls/

Here in New York, Sen. Chuck Schumer is pulling a Gillibrand and flip-flopping on the issues, saying he now supports gay marriage, not just civil unions – “like a majority of New Yorkers,” according to one gay activist.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03232009/news/nationalnews/schumer_flips_on_gay_marriage_160959.htm

I don’t know what polls he’s looking at, but the numbers I’ve seen show that even in this blue state, a majority of voters do not support full-fledged marriage for homosexuals. If the gay lobby is so sure they have so much support, they should get their allies in Albany to put marriage up for a full vote in the State Assembly and Senate.

Speaking of Sen. Gillibrand, are you following the special election upstate? Voters go to the polls on Tuesday to fill our newest Senator’s old congressional seat. The AIG bonuses and the “stimulus” might be a deciding factor, as The Weekly Standard reports...

http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/016/305zkkqg.asp

We’ll see what happens. Stay tuned for news about that election, and the other issues that will be in the news next week. Have a great weekend!

New York's economy is still in free fall downfall and yet the state workforce is not acknowledge it. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03272009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/daves_layoff_delay_161544.htm


Is the reason New York is falling apart due to the fact that the priorities are in all the wrong places? http://www.nypost.com/seven/03272009/postopinion/editorials/first__free_the_felons__161585.htm

More information on what National Health Care could become http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123811121310853037.html

Michelle Malkin writes about the "New Vigilantes and their Unaccountable Enablers" http://townhall.com/columnists/MichelleMalkin/2009/03/27/the_new_vigilantes_and_their_unaccountable_enablers

Check back later today for the Weekly Wrap-Up and a new poll question.

100% of this week's respondents believe that Congressman should return any contributions from AIG that have received bailout monies.

All the talk from New York State and the federal government is about spending and all we can say is that they just do not get it. Are they not listening to the people and the gathering storm...how many tea parties will it take before they truly understand we do not have any more money to give them.!!

Mismanagement is the fault and they expect us to pay...stop the mismanagement...fix the problems...eliminate top heavey management..then and only then come back to us.

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03262009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/blood_on_the_tracks_161368.htm

http://www.nypost.com/seven/03262009/postopinion/opedcolumnists/blood_on_the_tracks_161368.htm

We could post a hundred articles supporting our positions but the ones above will suffice for now.

Has Father John I. Jenkins forgotten the Mission of Notre Dame? http://www.notredamescandal.com/

If you have time to read only one article today, please make this one the article: http://townhall.com/Columnists/ThomasSowell/2009/03/24/cheap_political_theater

Cal Thomas has another good article on the continuing AIG saga http://townhall.com/columnists/CalThomas/2009/03/24/channeling_anger Interestingly, he asks the question "who ordered up that little charade and media opportunity"? According to local reports it was members of the Working Family Party with strong ties to ACORN. We have so much to look forward to as ACORN becomes more empowered.

And just when we think we have heard of everything that happens in Illinois politics, something else makes the news: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123785278166719611.html and could have far reaching implications.

Is New York becoming more like Illinois? http://www.nypost.com/seven/03242009/postopinion/editorials/the_plan_for_nys_ruin_161024.htm

Republican House Minority Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) has the quote of the day on Treasury Secretary Geithner's plan: "seems to offer little incentive for private investors to participate unless the subsidy is made so rich that it comes at the expense of the taxpayer."

Taxpayers beware!

It is Monday and the weekend is past but the news is still dominated by the AIG fiasco. Congress must rethink and rescind the direction it has been taking since this debacle started.
http://www.nypost.com/seven/03232009/postopinion/editorials/congress_to_ny__drop_dead_160851.htm
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776465612908965.html

There are other ways to solve the current outrage regarding the AIG bonus': http://townhall.com/columnists/LawrenceKudlow/2009/03/20/a_hidden_agenda_behind_the_90_percent_tax

The world watches as Congress continues to fumble the ball: http://www.nypost.com/seven/03232009/postopinion/editorials/world_to_congress__so_long_160850.htm

And the President continues to spend: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123776518094909023.html

Governor Paterson and his allies in the Legislature are trying to solve the current budget shortfall by increasing the state sales tax to 4.5% and additional taxes on individuals earning more than $500,000 (currently the top PIT rate is 6.85% paid by those earning $25,000 per year). According to the NY Post column by Fred Dicker, the proposed huge increases in levies on insurance policies and health services, have been left in the budget for the fiscal year beginning April 1. http://www.nypost.com/seven/03232009/news/columnists/gov_plots_secret_tax_hike_on_rich_160855.htm

Somebody please explain to me the reasons I keep working....