Paterson seeks utility surtax

The Buffalo News reports today – “Gov. David A. Paterson this week rushed to protect consumers from the New York Power Authority’s plan to boost electricity rates by $10 million. But behind closed doors, Paterson this week also is trying to impose higher surcharges on ut
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MTA OKs fare hikes; Albany seeks solution

The Times Herald-Record reports -”The Metropolitan Transportation Authority made good on its threat to raise fares and tolls and cut service Wednesday — and effectively shunted the job of appeasing 8.5 million angry transit customers to the state. Now, all eyes are turning to
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State can cut more taxes

In a March 15, Leader-Herald editorial the paper states.- “Gov. David Paterson and state legislative leaders last week announced an agreement to eliminate $1.3 billion in tax increases included in the proposed 2009-10 state budget. They said they can do this because of money com
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Are taxes making it too risky for a business to stay as a New York-based company?

In a letter written to the Utica Observer-Dispatch Michael C. Austin, vice president and director of corporate communications for Utica National Insurance Group writes. – “Are taxes making it too risky for a business to stay as a New York-based company? Well, it is if your
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Good News: IBM, University at Albany teaming up on computer chip technology

The University at Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering said it will partner with IBM and Applied Materials on the manufacturing of chips less than half their current size. Computer chips now have circuitry at 45 nanometers and larger, but the industry is moving
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Business Council says New York cannot tax its way out of fiscal crisis

“Despite a tax burden that is already astronomically high, New York continues to face a huge budget gap. Trying to solve that problem by taxing everything in sight is just repeating the mistakes of the past,” said Kenneth Adams, president & CEO of The Business Council of New
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Dicker says – Gov and Speaker ready to roll back a 23-year-old ceiling on legal fees gleaned from medical malpractice awards

New York Post State Editor Fred Dicker reports today – “That Gov. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver are close to a deal to roll back a 23-year-old ceiling on legal fees gleaned from medical malpractice awards. Ordinarily, the benefit from such a boon to ambulanc
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NY Post says – GOV PLOTS SECRET TAX HIKE ON RICH

According to Fred Dicker of the New York Post -”Governor Paterson and legislative Democrats have secretly agreed on an $8 billion, two- year tax hike on individuals making more than $500,000 a year that will “sunset” around the time he plans to run for election in 20
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Chipping away at the support for “card check”

The following appeared today on the Wall Street Journal’s on-line opinion page. -”If anyone were still in doubt as to the importance of a Senate filibuster, we’d point them to Pennsylvania Republican Arlen Specter’s announcement yesterday that he will not suppo
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NYPA drops bonuses

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS reports today – “The New York Power Authority yesterday dropped its proposals to increase utility rates and pay out $3 million in employee bonuses following pressure by a Republican senator and Democratic Gov. David A. Paterson. Republican Sen. George
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