“This flag, which we honor and under which we serve, is the emblem of our unity, our power, our thought and purpose as a nation. It has no other character than that which we give it from generation to generation… Though silent, it speaks to us—speaks to us of the past, of the men and […]

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Where the pork goes
Legislative leaders make an end-run around the call for transparency for member items
A job description for the two leaders of the state Legislature, not that they’d be inclined to commit themselves to such a written document, would surely include the word lawmakers. Yet when it comes to public accountability for […]

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‘Pork’ spending draws new scrutiny — Page 1 — TimesUnion.com
Lawmakers’ use of funds for pet projects said to be subject of Soares inquiry
ALBANY — Albany County District Attorney David Soares’ office has begun an inquiry into the use of discretionary funds known as member items by lawmakers, according to a law enforcement source.
Soares is conducting […]

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Legislature crafts ‘governor-proof’ tax rebate
ALBANY — Blocked by the governor from mailing out property-tax refunds, legislators said Monday they’ve found a way around the governor: create a new rebate.
If it goes into law, lawmakers say the average homeowner outside New York would benefit $250, under their new plan. Senior citizens would get an average $365 […]

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Buffalo News - Erie County lawmakers propose term limits
Three Erie County legislators are pushing for term limits - three four-year terms for every county lawmaker.
“The term would go from two years to four years, kind of as the carrot, so people don’t have to concentrate on campaigning all the time, and it would diminish the […]

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