Editor:

New York state is ranked worst in the nation for business climate – and worse, now we’re being ranked No. 1 in population loss too. There have been warning signs for some time as more than ten years ago Western New York was just ahead of New Orleans in terms of worst metro areas to do business.

Most reasonable people would recognize there is a serious problem here and we must make systematic changes to improve our business climate by reducing our tax burden, cutting back burdensome regulations and making proper investments in our infrastructure to rebuild.

Unfortunately, the downstate-driven majorities who control state government continue to put their heads in the sand and just hope that spending billions of dollars will make this crisis disappear. Coming in at a record $229 billion, this bloated budget is simply too expensive for hardworking New York families, business owners and farmers to afford. Under one-party rule, in the last five years alone, state spending has increased by $64 billion. To put that in perspective, this increase is more than 35 state budgets in our union. States like Florida, South Carolina and Tennessee are not only offering lower tax rates and lower energy costs, but they also offer better incentives to do business and build a home and that is why we are seeing thousands of New Yorkers leaving for these areas.

To make matters even worse, this state budget was filled with major policies that will hurt our economy even more. It raises the minimum wage, which places our business owners at a competitive disadvantage. It raises taxes by another $562 million. And it bans the use of natural gas, which threatens jobs in industries like manufacturing, construction and transportation, and it restricts its use on new construction builds starting in 2025.

On top of all this, the budget was held up for more than a month so bail reform could be negotiated, and after listening to the debate on this topic, it became quite clear these minor language tweaks are simply window dressing and will do little to improve public safety in our communities.

Because 47% of employers in our region consider themselves pessimistic about a future in New York, something needs to be done – and that’s why I remain focused on promoting investments in our infrastructure, workforce development and public protection. Though these are drops in the overall budget bucket, I would like to update you on some of the silver linings in this dark cloud:

• As the new ranking member of the Transportation Committee, I advocated hard for local infrastructure funding, and I am pleased to report a $60 million increase in funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), which will support our roads, bridges and culverts.
• I’ve also advocated for proper library funding, and this budget includes a restoration of $34 million for our library construction aid.
• As the co-chair of the Assembly Minority Task Force on Learning for Work, I’ve fought passionately for workforce development initiatives like expanding P-TECH and providing more support for BOCES, and both items were enhanced in this budget.
• The budget contains a $6.5 million increase in funding for training stipend reimbursements for our dedicated volunteer fire companies; and
• A new First-Time Homebuyer Program and expansion of the Child Care Tax Credit will also help Western New York families afford to stay and live here.

When we talk about state spending, I’ve rallied for a “back to basics” approach. These are some of the back-to-basics proposals I’ve advocated for that I was pleased to see. But these are modest funding appropriations when you consider the billions in excess spending that goes primarily downstate and is largely unaccounted for.

Businesses and households all across our state, but especially in Western New York, have been tightening their belts for years – it’s time Albany starts doing the same. That’s why I voted “no” on the overall state budget for the fifth year in a row. The state must re-focus itself, get back to funding basic priorities and reign in its excess spending as the current approach is not working and driving folks right out of here.

Assemblyman Mike Norris

Lockport

(Norris serves as the Chairman of the Assembly Minority Conference. He represents the 144th Assembly District, which includes portions of Erie and Niagara counties.)

Editor:

The United States government has been spending more money on the foster care system, group homes, and adoption agencies than they have been on mental healthcare programs and family reunification programs.

The government spent $10.7 billion (about $33 per person in the US) on the foster care system in the year 2023. According to TalkPoverty.org, “states receive reimbursements ranging from 50 cents to 76 cents for each dollar spent on daily childcare and supervision, administrative costs, training, recruitment, and data collection.”

Coming from the viewpoint of a senior in high school, I looked over this statement and thought about all the people close to me affected by the foster care system in various ways. Many of my peers struggled and were forced to live with families that abused them, while some were moved out of their homes unwillingly because of anonymous CPS calls. In my opinion, the government needs to become more proactive than reactive so that we can help more children from going into foster care in the first place.

Children are typically placed in the system due to a parental figure dealing with substance abuse, mental illness, poverty, or physical abuse. Yet, the government has not looked further into these things which are the root causes of what pushes more children into the system every day. Lack of mental health care, drug addiction, and poverty are some of the biggest issues in our country, and the United States government does not provide any real solutions for these problems.

If the United States government was more proactive than reactive the American people would not be paying their taxes for programs that do not fully solve societal issues such as Medicare, Medicaid, free and reduced lunch, etc. The Unites States believes that by giving money to those in poverty is helping the people in poverty, but the number of people in poverty has only increased and that is because the government believes that money is what solves our issues.

When dealing with poverty, you would think that the United States would do something such as lowering the minimum wage or decreasing taxes not paying for medical expenses and food stamps.

When it comes to foster care, in most cases, children do not get reunited with their birth parents, and so many kids get bounced from home to home and the burn-out rate for CPS workers is through the roof.

If the government were to consider a proactive take on this issue such as implementing required mental health and childhood education in schools, kids could become aware of how they personally can grow and learn.

The foster care system has been around since 1853 and if America cares so much about our children, then why has the number of children in the system only grown since then? The foster care system has even been considered overpopulated for the last several years and the number of kids entering the system just continues to grow.

The education system requires children to learn math and science from the age of 5, but kids are not required to know how to advocate for themselves or balance their own mental health. The government tends to “fix” societal issues such as those regarding child welfare by focusing on what works at the time, rather than being proactive and trying to provide a service to people that would actually improve the lives of children in the long run.

An example is the mental health care system. For instance, there are so many advertisements or warnings seen on TV that explain how technology and playing video games are mentally damaging to young children and teens, but yet most schools require students to have laptops, work is online.

So the government is making the people believe that they actually care about mental health, but in reality they are making things such as public schools more costly which then leads to more money to government facilities. According to the Children’s Defense Fund, the United States ranks 31st out of 36 for childcare globally, so how exactly is the foster care system helping or improving children’s lives?

Lydia Sprague

Holley High School senior

Editor:

Recently Republicans passed a budget, H.R. 2811 the Limit, Save and Grow Act of 2023. Budgets reveal priorities and what we value, so it is worth looking at the budget Congresswoman Claudia Tenney supported.

Denis McDonough, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs, testified to Congress that passage of H.R. 2811 would result in about 30 million fewer outpatient visits and about 6,000 fewer staff to handle benefits claim. (It is worth noting that she also voted against the Pact Act which extends healthcare benefits to veterans exposed to toxic burn pits).

Moody’s Analytics reported that passage of H.R. 2811 would result in 780,000 fewer jobs in 2024 and could result in a recession next year. The Congressional Budget Office reported that the legislation would result in about 600,000 American citizens being removed from health care insurance. The National Education Association stated in a letter that passage of H.R. 2811 “would hurt students, worsen educator shortage, and cause undue hardship for families by raising the cost of college, childcare, healthcare and putting food on the table.”

This legislation also repeals some tax credit for clean, and renewable energy and alternative fuels. (Western New York Energy, NY’s only ethanol plant and one of Orleans County biggest tax payers, is in her district). None of that mattered to Ms. Tenney.

She voted against the interest of veterans, healthcare workers, teachers and the economic interest of her constituents. Instead she voted for and supports the fossil fuel industry and tax breaks for the ultra-rich; those are her values and priorities.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Thank you to the more than 200 folks in Murray who welcomed us into their homes this petition season. And a special thank you to those officials and employees at the Murray Town Hall who have pledged your support and encouragement to carry on. It means more than you will ever know.

Today we announce our candidacies for the June 27^th Republican Primary. Eric Collyer for Murray Town Council and Joe Sidonio for Murray Town Supervisor. Together we promise to represent our community to the best of our ability while being fiscally conservative stewards of your tax dollars coupled with good old fashioned common sense.

Eric Collyer for Town Board. A graduate of MCC and SUNY Brockport, born and raised here in Murray, carving his livelihood out of the earth with sweat equity working his family farm. Eric has contributed to our community for over a decade on the Zoning Board of Appeals, currently Chairman of the Board.

A member of the Murray Agricultural Advisory Committee Eric has a solid understanding of our farming heritage. As a young man he worked part time in the Murray highway and water department providing another practical understanding of our Town operations. His direct, common-sense approach will serve the community well by calling it like it is, keeping government small and spending in check. Eric can stretch a dime into a dollar.

Supervisor Joe Sidonio, currently in his second term has a proven track record. As the Town Chief Financial Officer his education, accounting background and tough conservative budgeting policy has led to reduced town and water taxes each year.

As a Marine Corps veteran he is not afraid to call for ethics reform or stand up to those who do not choose to represent our community. A decade of County Planning Board experience and member of the Town Master Plan Committee adds to his resume of community service. Joe is uniquely qualified to face the financial and socio/economic challenges of tomorrow.

Change is a difficult thing to bring. No one said it would be easy. It takes commitment. It takes courage and common sense. We answer to you, the citizens of Murray. We will continue working for you as we have done every step of the way. We care about you, our community and want to make Murray a better place to live.

We do not claim to be perfect. We are stepping up to the challenge because we feel in our hearts we can make this community a better place to live.

Keep it simple. Keep it small. It’s common sense.

Eric Collyer ZBA Chairman

Joe Sidonio Supervisor

Murray

Editor:

Gun violence in schools has become an alarmingly common occurrence in the United States of America and has created division within the country. Some Americans feel that teachers should be armed. Others believe that could worsen the problem.

Arming teachers is controversial, but the risks of teachers carrying guns outweigh the benefits. The safety of every person in school would be compromised. There would be more opportunities for shooters to take advantage of the situation. Weapons in school would create a hostile learning and teaching environment.

Most teachers do not want to be armed. Numerous studies show that most teachers were in favor of stricter gun laws to prevent school shootings while few supported arming teachers. Many teachers believe that guns would create a negative learning environment.

Guns will increase the likelihood of shootings in schools. An argumentative piece comprised by lawyer and advocates Allen Rostron and Brian Siebel contends: “Teachers would be forced to carry weapons into classrooms filled with children… opening more opportunities for the guns to fall into the wrong hands.” A student could find a way to sneak the gun out of the teacher’s possession or attack the teacher to gain control of the gun.

If someone has not been violent in the past, that does not guarantee a lack of violent behavior in the future. Investigative journalist Jacquelyn Mitchard of the New York Times speaks to this point: “…I have a problem with the presumption that all gun owners are responsible, respectful, disciplined people, even if they have no criminal records.” This statement aligns with the opinions of many parents. Knowing how to handle a gun and having the responsibility to handle a gun are not coincident.

In closing: Would guns in schools be beneficial to the safety of those attending school? Although there are many nuances concerning this issue, the simple answer is no. Teachers, for the most part, do not want to be armed. They worry that adding more guns to the mix will worsen the issue. It is not any teacher’s responsibility to be an armed guard.

We need to work together to figure out a solution to gun violence. Talking about this topic may seem daunting, but it is the most effective way to make people think. This goes for all issues, not just gun violence. You can also write to members of Congress and other political officials. Effort is pertinent to reformation.

Julia Scroope

Holley High School student

Editor:

We are again seeing the confluence of forces which resulted in significant social, economic and racial progress in the ’60s.

Tennessee, the home of the KKK, ousted just the two involved Black state legislators due their “temper tantrums” while outside and in the gallery children were begging for their safety – for action.

Morning will come again for these “uppity blacks”.

Democracy solves problems. It does not make them worse by resurrecting hate, racism and shopworn simplistic ideas that derail progress.

The scene on the floor of Tennessee Legislature – shown in real time – was as gripping as the   photos of confrontation at segregated lunch counters in the ’60s of the photos on the bridge showing the great John Lewis being beaten senseless, and photos of blacks left hanging in trees as a warning to all.

The only ones who do not see this do not read history and content themselves to watch TV stations and read sources who pedal propaganda.

Editor, an entire younger generation now also clearly sees the issues. The losers will again win. The shame in Tennessee will not be ignored in the cities, the suburbs or the country. With contraception under attack and voters being suppressed, the majority is being stirred to act – to again focus all on the principles on which democracy is based.

Progress can not be denied.

The Tennessee Three’s ouster was not a solution. it was a call to action for all who love democracy.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Two thousand years ago a Roman governor asked an angry mob a question. The mob demanded that Jesus be put to death. They thought that would be the end of Jesus but they were wrong.

Jesus was put to death and buried, but three days later He rose from the grave and proved He was indeed the Son of God. His bloody sacrifice on that Roman cross and His resurrection from the dead provided the means for every person to be forgiven of sin, washed clean and be restored to a right relationship with God.

Today, each one of us is asked the same question: What will you do with Jesus who is called Christ? We can either accept His sacrifice for us personally, repent and be forgiven for all of our sins and follow Him for the rest of our lives, or like the angry mob reject Him and push Him out of our lives dooming us to eternal torment when we die. There is no neutral ground. If we make no choice, we are rejecting His offer of eternal life with Him in Heaven.

Satan is real, and he is always trying to get us to follow his sin-filled way of life and keep us from the blessing of  salvation through Jesus Christ. Satan may also try to convince us we can always make a choice later, but then it will be too late.

Today, during this sacred season celebrating the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, make the life-changing decision to follow Jesus! He died for you personally.

Wayne Lemcke

Waterport

Editor:

I have followed Trump since ’75 when he got $886 million in tax breaks to convert the Commodore Hotel into a Hyatt. After 12 years or so the Industrial Development suit for misuse of the money got dropped when all the records were mysteriously lost.

Then Hyatt sued claiming he did not put in the $100 million he promised. That second suit settled with Hyatt buying him out. But then Hyatt got stuck redoing bad materials and work by scab labor which Trump had sourced from the mob.

If the current indictment sticks, it will mean Trump got careless 1) with records,  and 2)  recharacterizing his payments in a way to isolate them from scrutiny – as in his huge bankruptcies. I assume using the National Enquirer to hide his sex life was just penny-ante stuff to him.

Getting jammed criminally where he can not outspend and threaten the other side into submission is a new experience.  Some people are attracted to strong men who act like capos.  It angers prosecutors. It will be interesting to see if they made any legal errors or missed any details Trump can jimmy up into reasonable doubt.

Of all the pending cases this seems the most likely for Trump to convince his tribe to stick by him, Rule of Law be damned. Top Security documents has national implications and are harder to turn a blind eye to.

Trump’s biggest problem is the National Enquirer and he was insane enough to try it not once but three times. The pattern could be a huge problem. Also having a judge who used to audit much-larger corporations is also a big problem as smoke screens will not work.

I finally have to guess NYC has a few more small surprises that  were not spelled out is this rather bare bones indictment. When lawyers get lied to defendants get trapped.

It will be interesting to see what comes.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Congresswoman Claudia Tenney’s hysterical response to the indictment of former president Donald Trump is beyond the pale.

She writes: “Alvin Bragg’s witch-hunt targeting President Donald Trump is a political persecution.”

First, Mr. Trump is not the President. Second, Mr. Bragg presented evidence to a grand jury which found sufficient evidence of a crime and then the grand jury voted to indict the former president. Mr. Trump can now present his evidence of his innocence, (if he has any). That is how our justice system works.

That is the system Ms. Tenney swore an oath to defend and protect. Her remarks are an attempt to discredit the justice system, and the rule of law. Her claiming that Mr. Trump, because of his former position, exempts him from the rule of law, undermines our justice system and our democracy.

What I find most disturbing is her racist and anti-Semitic dog whistle: “Soros-backed District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s witch-hunt.”

George Soros conspiracy theories follow the centuries-old pattern that Jews are running an evil international cabal. There is no evidence that Mr. Soros donated directly to Mr. Bragg’s campaign or in any other way supported Mr. Bragg.

Is Claudia Tenney a racist and an anti-Semitic? Her paroxysm response to Mr. Trump’s indictment would indicate that she is both.

At the very least her frantic agitated response shows how little she understands or respects the rule of law.

William Fine

Brockport

Editor:

Medina residents, thank you so much for electing us to the Village Board. We’re grateful for your vote of confidence and we are looking forward to the next two years.

As always, please reach out to us if there’s anything we can do to help make our village a better place.

A special thank you must be extended to Owen Toale for his countless contributions to the village, including his offers to continue to support us with his wisdom going forward. We’re all better off because of his willingness to share his experience.

Thank you,

Jess Marciano

Diana Baker

Medina

Editor:

In addressing one (and more) issues left unaddressed due to partisan paralysis, Pastor Barry C. Black, Chaplin to the United States Senate, said it perfectly.

“Lord, when babies die at a church school, it is time for us to move beyond thoughts and prayers”….. “Remind our lawmakers of the words of the British statesman Edmund Burke: ‘All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing.’”

“Lord, deliver our senators from the paralysis of analysis that waits for the miraculous. Use them to battle the demonic forces that seek to engulf us. We pray, in your powerful name, amen.”

Other western countries’ citizens have guns. But the US stands alone with its rates of murder and mass murder – particularly apparent in the slaughter of our children.

Of the different approaches found elsewhere there are three sure differences that work in concert to prevent the gun plague. 1. They have uniform background checks nationwide. 2. They do not permit hobbyist and hunters to have military-style assault weapons. 3. Violators are delt with severely.

Pastor Black  sees our country being dragged down by “demonic forces” behind the current paralysis. Spelled out these are the forces of hate, conspiracy fantasies, lies, easy answers and the wages of greed – and to him the very conception of God.  All pollute minds and feed extreme positions.

On the gun issue the manufactures, leaders and followers have blood on their hands, share and share alike.

Honor, goodwill, respect for law, respect for each other, respect for real evidence-based knowledge and a willingness to cooperate with all reasonable people(s) are the hallmarks of true (godly) Patriots who can solve this problem and more.

With a mass murder a day no candidate should be nominated who will not commit to tackle the problem with evidence-based solutions.

Conrad F. Cropsey

Albion

Editor:

Drug ads should be removed from television. Almost every other commercial on TV is an advertisement for a new drug.

The integrity of drug ads has long been questioned. The only two countries in the world that allow drug ads on television are the United States and New Zealand.

Other countries such as the U.K., France and Germany have banned them due to high pharmaceutical spending and negative health outcomes. Additionally, the advertising companies that create the pharmaceutical ads are only required to state at least one approved use for a drug, the generic name of the drug, and any potential side effects.

Therefore, advertisers can leave out the cost, how the drug works, and whether a condition is treatable with a change in behavior.

Drug ads also cause distrust in doctors. The Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine conducted a survey of 1,744 adults, which found that 16% of the adults questioned their doctor’s advice after asking for a drug and could not receive it. This can cause people to stop visiting their doctor, which may cause more health issues.

Pharmaceutical ads have a negative impact on the public and should not be legal in the United States. We must speak to our representatives and advocate for the removal of drug ads on TV.

Sarah Kelly

Holley High School student

Editor’s note: Nick D’Amuro, Holley social studies teacher, said the student essay is completed by a student seeking the New York State Seal of Civic Readiness. The Seal of Civic Readiness is a formal recognition that a student has attained a high level of proficiency in terms of civic knowledge, civic skills, civic mindset, and civic experiences.

The Holley Central School District is an institution that offers students the opportunity to earn this designation on their diploma upon graduation. Students must complete a variety of tasks surrounding a particular research topic that is of interest to them.  A crucial element of this project requires students to inform citizens in their community about their topic and call for citizens to take action. This article serves as the basis for this requirement, D’Amuro said.