The Hayseeds blog, No. 229 for the week starting November 4, 2007.
October 21, 2007
Hayseeds No. 228
November 4, 2007
Hayseeds No. 229
November 10, 2007
Hayseeds No. 229
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It looks that Governor Spitzer has modified his drivers license regulatory proposal based on the feedback of high-level homeland security officials and the concerns of the public.
His commonsense proposal would create three classes of licenses:
The first proposal would be for those who would want to drive in New York State, can prove their identity, but can not provide a social security number for one reason or another. The reason might be the person is an illegal immigrant, an legal immigrant with a green card or visa, or other reasons. This card would not prove identity—a green card plus other papers would be required to do that, but simply allow people to drive.
The second proposal is the current drivers license proposal, and would require a person to give a social security number, in part to check to ensure that the state has no liens against him. It would also be considered basic ID for getting into State Buildings and boarding airplanes.
The third proposal, known federally as Real ID, would enhance the drivers license /ID card further to comply with the Real ID act. This optional card, would make it possible to visit Canada and several other nearby countries without a passport. It would require a birth certificate, proof of citizenship, identification, and residency. It would be a major convenience to people who like to travel.
I am quite excited about this proposal. It addresses the previous concerns by the xenophobic and homeland security paranoids, but also ensures that people can be properly licensed and insured. It also gives New Yorkers the option to participate in Real ID, which will make border crossing easier.
It's still mighty difficult for both state and federal authorities to share information as shown by the recent issue of drivers licenses.
Not only does the federal government have no idea who has drivers licenses in New York, it seems that the state has no idea who has crossed the border into our state.
I tend to think not, but he did modify his license plan to ensure it's compliance with federal regulations.
It's a better plan in my view. Different levels of licenses, while all providing the requirements for drivers licenses in state law, will enable people to get enhanced and easier access to cross boarders. Yet, it remains all consistent with federal and state law.
Just imagine how nice it will be to go to Canada with the enhanced license or Real ID, and not need a pesky birth certificate that is easy to wet, destroyed, or lost.
Many of us can remember back at to the good old days of Mario Cuomo administration when New York State actually built and rebuilt the highways of our state.
Back when highways proudly announced:
Rebuilding New York State
Mario Cuomo, Governor
Those days are long gone. But the great Governor Spitzer is saying that it's time to consider repairing our highways and byways, and giving them the money they deserve to allow for adequate maintenance and reconstruction where required.
He wants our state to invest $175 billion in our roads over the next 20 years. That sounds like a lot of money but it's really not.
Roads: 175 billion / 20 years = 8.75 billion per year
Even 8.75 billion a year is not much, when our state has a budget that in 2007 will exceed $120 billion. In contrast, we burn through 45 billion or so a year on Medicaid, and close to 50 billion on K12 education a year.
Medicaid: 45 billion * 20 years = 900 billion dollars
Education: 50 billion * 20 years = 1 trillion dollars
Roads are getting left-over spare change to be kept up to standard and repaired to a level that allows for safe travel over them. People see the effects of roads most directly when the come our state, and a quality infrastructure is one of the things that we need to ensure that business comes to our state.
Increasing highway spending does not mean we have to build massive new roads that promote further sprawl upstate. In contrast, roads should be maintained and modified as necessary to carry increased traffic safety. That doesn't necessarily mean new lanes—but rethinking intersections and the alike.
Even at 175 billion there is not much extra money for new capacity. But safety can be improved, as can driver comfort by improving existing roads, and adding modern features like wider shoulders, turn lanes, and taking out the most dangerous turns.
It looks like Joan Baez, who has not played in Albany since 2005 will be back on Friday, March 21, 2008 as she does another tour of the Northeast Region. She announced this on Monday and will be playing the Egg at the Empire State Plaza.
If your like me, it's quite exciting to be able to hear her sing again. The past two years, she has been touring a lot over in Europe, and a little bit in the South-West. That's why she hasn't been in Albany in recent years—despite having a packed house when she comes to the Hart Theater.
See Joan Baez 2008 Tour Schedule.
The Republican who is running for Albany County was endorsed by Metroland. Their endorsement of him points out to his many interesting idears that he has:
Roger Cusick has big ideas. He wants to create a student arts district in downtown Albany; he wants to move I-787 to give Albany back its waterfront; he wants to reduce the size of the bloated Albany County Legislature; he wants to make sure the convention center does not end up costing the residents of Albany County higher taxes; and he wants to beat long-term incumbent Michael Breslin. The likelihood of any of these things happening is fairly slim. But big ideas are a refreshing change when compared to Breslin, who in some respects seems to be asleep at the wheel. A vote for Cusick would be a vote for checks and balances in a legislature that is dominated by a Democratic supermajority. A Cusick win would mean that Albany’s Democrats would have to start thinking more about what they are doing for the people, and less about what they are doing for themselves and their power structure. Cusick may not be the perfect candidate, but he has the passion to shake up the stale Albany County Legislature.
I think those are some very interesting points. We really could use some change in the County Comptroller's office—and Roger Cusick might just be that man. Of course, we know that Mike Breslin is a very viscous man, and he's running in a heavily democratic county.
On the other hand, I am a bit concerned about the legislature downsizing proposal. Expanding legislative districts will disenfranchise whole communities, and most importantly, force popular incumbents who are representing each other to be in forced primaries with one another. Sandy Gordon might be forced into a primary with Bill Aylward or Chris Hotaling.
I'm less then happy with some of their other endorsements. I think Rich McNally would be a good District Attorney for Rensselaer County—we know how the Republicans have run that office under the previous horror of Patricia DeAnglesis. I don't see how people can claim that Choklasis would be much better or different then the status quo.
Also, I like Harry Tutunjian for Troy Mayor. The League of Conservation Voters endorsed him even if Metroland the Times Union did not. He's promoting aggressive redevelopment of the riverfront area, and bringing new business into downtown. But more importantly, he had a real job repairing cars before becoming mayor, so he understands what it's like to the average person from Troy.
The Times Union really handed it to Mary Brizzel, the long-time brat who has been in recent years the supervisor of Colonie. They are endorsing Paul Mahan.
And they should. Rather then acknowledge that Colonie faces enormous problems, Brizzel likes to push problems under the cover and accuse her critics as being on the fringe.
In the view of Brizzel—residents don't have problems with people speeding through the neighborhoods or heavy traffic—it's just they are too much of NIMBYies or in too much of a rush to get out of this hell.
Let's hope the Democrats can take this seat, and get some new discussion about the future of Colonie. If there ever has been a closed minded, extremely conservative, big suburb in the Albany-area, it would be Colonie.
Colonie: The sh1thole of the Capital Region.
