tagged w/ New York State
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New York state appears likely to lift its ban on extracting natural gas through the controversial process known as hydraulic fracturing after the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation released updated guidelines for conducting the procedure.New York state appears likely to lift its ban on extracting natural gas through the... more
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This message was brought to you by one irritated voter with NO affiliation with any career politicians or the Democratic Party.
I received my inspiration for this episode of "The Soap Box Spot" from reading a article by WNYMedia.net.
On April 12th, WNYMedia.net broke the story "NY Gubernatorial Candidate Carl Paladino's Racist and Sexist Email History." This story shows, in detail, the kind of racist and pornographic emails that Carl Paladino has sent around to his friends. I would like to say thank you to WNYMedia.net for revealing to us all exactly what kind of person Carl Paladino is.
http://skunkpost.com/news.sp?newsId=2223This message was brought to you by one irritated voter with NO affiliation with any... more
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A tangent here, but stick with me: At the beginning of the animated film, MY NEIGHBORS THE YAMATAS, director Isao Takahata envisions the world of his titular family as an ocean voyage, complete with pounding waves and raging storms, but arriving eventually at a safe port. If the analogy was transferred to OCTOBER COUNTRY, the new documentary by Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher, the familial vessel would also be facing typhoons, hailstorms, shark-infested waters, and a foggy void where the safe landing should be. And you may as well throw an iceberg in for good measure.
Filmmakers Mosher (whose family is depicted, and who also is a photographer, musician, and writer) and Palmieri do not hedge in their depiction of the upstate N.Y. Mosher family, whose various members have undergone such trials as teen pregnancy, drug abuse, and molestation. But they don’t overdramatize events, either, and for all the darkness that’s revealed, there’s also a glimmer of hope in the idea that people can endure all this pain and sorrow and still remain, however tenuously, a family. Letting his camera take its cue from the photo series Mosher did on his clan, Palmieri creates haunting visuals that complement the group’s shadowed history.
Mosher and Palmieri were happy to discuss their concerns in pulling back the veil on one family’s struggles, and how they’re hoping that this one story can bring a new perspective to the challenges facing the working class in today’s U.S. Click on the link to hear the interview:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dan-persons/emmighty-movie-podcastem_b_460692.htmlA tangent here, but stick with me: At the beginning of the animated film, MY NEIGHBORS... more
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News you probably already know... delivered by guys you probably don't know.
This week's headlines include spoiled politicians, crack dealing city employees, and bridge improvements. Plus our anchor Aaron Smith flips out on the teleprompter guy. If you have any ideas for headlines for next week's episode please suggest them by commenting below, and hopefully by then Aaron will have made parole.News you probably already know... delivered by guys you probably don't know.... more
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In Gov. Paterson's State of the State address, one of his top points outlined is polital ethics reform. SkunkPoster Aaron Smith believes this is a good idea, and in order for New York State to get back on track, we need honest people in government. As citizens we cannot get wrapped up in what is going on in D.C., we also need to pay attention to what is going on in our very own backyards.
If there are any subject lines that you would like to see covered in "The Soap Box Spot," please leave it in a comment below, or film your own version of "The Soap Box Spot" and post it to the U-Post section of the site.In Gov. Paterson's State of the State address, one of his top points outlined is... more
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News you probably already know... being delivered by guys you probably don't know. This week's headlines include a car chase, some drunk Bills fan, New York State Toll rate increase, and a few more gems. If you have any suggestion for headlines for next weeks episode please suggest them by commenting below.News you probably already know... being delivered by guys you probably don't... more
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With Wednesday night's presidential address in mind, check out these thoughts on a public option... from residents of the city of Ithaca, New York.
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With Wednesday night's presidential address in mind, check out these... more
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Giuliani hasn't made a decision yet if he will run for Governor, but people are speculating that he might.Giuliani hasn't made a decision yet if he will run for Governor, but people are... more
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(New York Times) ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson and New York legislative leaders have reached an agreement to dismantle much of what remains of the state’s strict 1970s-era drug laws, once among the toughest in the nation.The deal would repeal many of the mandatory minimum prison sentences now in place for lower-level drug felons, giving judges the authority to send first-time nonviolent offenders to treatment instead of prison.
The plan would also expand drug treatment programs and widen the reach of drug courts at a cost of at least $50 million.
The agreement, which requires approval in the Assembly and the Senate, would allow some drug offenders who are currently in prison to apply to have their sentences commuted. It was not clear on Wednesday how many current prisoners would be eligible to apply. Mr. Paterson has pushed to have fewer prisoners than legislative leaders would prefer.(New York Times) ALBANY — Gov. David A. Paterson and New York legislative... more
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Jesse Parsons was supposed to be sentenced today to four years in prison after pleading guilty to assault. Today he would have been sentenced to four years in prison but instead he will go to trial and could face 15 years.
Neve says it was Parsons who beat him and yelled gay slurs at him. Today in court, Parsons told the judge, “I didn't mean to hurt Lance as bad as I did, but he did deserve what he got." After that, his family told you him you can't say that.
Once Parsons made the statement, Judge Keenan said he cannot impose a sentence because of Parson's comment and because of his record.
The plea was withdrawn and now Parsons will go to trial.
Please see the entire story at the link.Jesse Parsons was supposed to be sentenced today to four years in prison after... more
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New York Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders agreed to delay action to close this year's budget gap until January after next year's spending plan becomes available and they have negotiated a compromise.
Paterson said it was pointless to bring his proposal to a vote today because Senate Republicans led by Majority Leader Dean Skelos, of Rockville Centre, Long Island, and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democrat from Manhattan, haven't negotiated a compromise. He said the Senate's plan to vote on the bill wasn't useful because it would have failed to pass in its present form.New York Governor David Paterson and legislative leaders agreed to delay action to... more
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Here is an excerpt from the article:
Joyce Newvine and daughter Jody Barscheski just happened to run into each other today at Wal-Mart. But it's no surprise - they say they're both big fans of the superstore.
Newvine said, “I can get Dunkin Donuts coffee, I can get dog food, I can get my eyes examined. It just fits everything, it just has everything I need - one stop.
Newvine isn't the only shopper who's been flocking to Wal-Mart these days. The company's third quarter profits are up 10-percent from last year's. “It doesn't surprise me. I guess what's happened with Wal-Mart is they're the cheapest for everything, not just your groceries anymore.”
While Wal-Mart rakes in the profits, plenty of local businesses are feeling the pinch. Retail sales at soap and candle company Wick-edly Sent are down 35-percent from last year but its owner says they have a game plan for competing against superstores.
The full stury is at the link: http://www.whec.com/article/stories/S661752.shtml?cat=10949Here is an excerpt from the article:
Joyce Newvine and daughter Jody Barscheski... more
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If you think you've seen the last of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the political arena, think again.
The former Republican candidate for president says he is now thinking about running for Governor of New York.
Giuliani made the statement today after a speech in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
The former mayor also did not rule out a second attempt for the white house. He dropped out of this year's presidential race in January after losing the Florida primary.If you think you've seen the last of former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the... more
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As America marks the 6th annual Prematurity Awareness Day, New York state is falling behind in the battle against premature birth.As America marks the 6th annual Prematurity Awareness Day, New York state is falling... more
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NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors in New York said on Thursday they would not seek criminal charges against former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer for his involvement in a prostitution ring that led to his resignation.
Spitzer, who stepped down in March amid a scandal over a $1,000-an-hour prostitute, acknowledged his participation in the sex ring for the first time in a separate statement.
"In light of the policy of the Department of Justice with respect to prostitution offenses and the longstanding practice of this Office, as well as Mr. Spitzer's acceptance of responsibility for his conduct, we have concluded that the public interest would not be further advanced by filing criminal charges in this matter," U.S. Attorney in Manhattan Michael Garcia said in a statement.
Spitzer said, "I appreciate the impartiality and thoroughness of the investigation by the U.S. Attorney's Office, and I acknowledge and accept responsibility for the conduct it disclosed.
"I once again apologize for my actions, and for the pain and disappointment those actions caused my family and the many people who supported me during my career in public life," he said.
NEW YORK (Reuters) - U.S. prosecutors in New York said on Thursday they would not seek... more
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ALBANY -- Starting Tuesday, New Yorkers will be able to purchase enhanced drivers' licenses that may also be used for land or sea travel between the United States and Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.
The new licenses come after years of wrangling over how to secure the nation's borders after the 9/11 attacks, as well as ease traffic at the crossings.
New York, in an agreement reached last year with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, will become the second state, after Washington, to offer the enhanced licenses as part of the federal Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
The licenses, which will include a photo and computer chip to electronically identify the cardholder at the border, will be sold at state and county Department of Motor Vehicles offices on Tuesday.
They are available only to U.S. citizens who are New York residents.
The cost will be $80, which is $30 more than current licenses. But for people with current licenses, the cost will be prorated by how many years are left until the license expires. The enhanced licenses, as with current drivers' licenses, are valid for eight years.
In June, the federal government will require U.S. citizens entering the country to present an enhanced license, a federal passport card or a U.S. passport.
The new license cannot serve as identification for international air flights. So after June 1, U.S. travelers would need passports to fly to Jamaica, for example, but could use an enhanced drivers' license if they took a cruise out of Miami that stopped in Jamaica.
The state over time expects that at least 16 percent of New York drivers, or more than 1 million people, will replace their current drivers' licenses with enhanced ones.
The state has spent months preparing for the rollout of the new licenses. Each DMV office has been equipped with new technology that can authenticate an applicant's citizenship and residency documents.
"We're looking forward to Tuesday and hopefully this will help the public," said Tompkins County Clerk Aurora Valenti.
Some clerks expressed concern about not being able to keep up with the demand for the new licenses. Saratoga County Clerk Kathy Marchione said her office estimates it will take 15 minutes or more to complete just one application.
The state estimates the licenses will bring in about $60 million in revenue for state and local entities. Counties will receive $9 on every enhanced license sold, or nearly 30 percent of the revenue.
And the enhanced licenses are generally accepted as an improvement over the current system, in which travelers must typically show a driver's license and a birth certificate to reenter the U.S. from neighboring countries.
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This feels so creepy & Big Brother-ish
ALBANY -- Starting Tuesday, New Yorkers will be able to purchase enhanced... more
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Gov. David Paterson said Monday some Albany lawmakers are like Count Dracula, showing pleasant faces to lull citizen advocates, only to become bloodsuckers when the sun goes down.Gov. David Paterson said Monday some Albany lawmakers are like Count Dracula, showing... more
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Although the America Lung Association of New York has succeeded in stamping out cigarette smoking in college dorms, the clean air junkies aren't stopping there and are now jockeying for a 'curb to curb' ban on smokeable tobacco for every college/university state wide. As of right now, there's 14 campuses that are entirely smokefree and only 5 holdouts that still sell tobacco products: Bard College, Culinary Institute of America, Iona College, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, SUNY Fredonia, and SUNY Potsdam.Although the America Lung Association of New York has succeeded in stamping out... more
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Amazon.com has filed a lawsuit challenging New York State’s new law forcing online retailers to collect sales tax on shipments to state residents...
The issue is not whether people should pay tax when they buy goods from out-of-state sellers like Amazon. For decades, the state has required them to pay sales or use tax.
The question is whether the vendors must collect that tax on behalf of the state. Generally, only those companies that have a physical presence — like an office or store — in the state where the purchase is made are required to collect the tax.
The new law is based on a novel definition of what constitutes a presence in the state: It includes any Web site based in the state that earns a referral fee for sending customers to an online retailer. Amazon has hundreds of thousands of affiliates — from big publishers to tiny blogs — that feature links to its products. The state law says that thousands of those have given an address in New York State, although the addresses have not been verified.
The law says that if even one of those affiliates is in New York State, Amazon must collect sales tax on everything sold in the state, even if it is not sold through the affiliate. This is an extension of an existing rule that companies employing independent agents or representatives to solicit business must collect taxes for the state.
Amazon’s suit challenges the constitutionality of this interpretation and seeks a declaratory judgment that it is invalid...Amazon.com has filed a lawsuit challenging New York State’s new law forcing... more
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