The Hayseeds blog, No. 9 for the week starting April 20, 2003.
April 5, 2003
Hayseeds No. 8
April 20, 2003
Hayseeds No. 9
April 27, 2003
Hayseeds No. 9
Visit the Hayseeds Index
to see all previous entries.
Admend the College Code to NOT have classes when the weather is so nice out.
Umm... I suspect that this bill isn't going anywhere—we already misenough class from snow and stuff. Rainy days are fortunately not that common around here, but enough so we don't have those dry spells like they have in other parts of the country.
Folks, it's about 62°F out there, and a bit warmer here in the computer lab (I'm in CompSci I). But by the door, we have a nice breeze, that helps out quite a bit.
Isn't that the story of the legislature in Albany?
Well, this week it's pretty slow. I'm not doing Statewatch on Tuesday—but I am going fishing/hiking/Partridge Run—to enjoy tommorow's almost 80°F temps—yeap, in April.
On the subject of the Burn Barrel bills, they haven't moved anywhere in a few weeks. So that's good news.
Regarding all the bills I like (Outdoor Recreation Act/ATV Bill/EmpireZone Farm Bill), the ones by the Assembly Minority/Republican, have never even made it on the adgenda. See, it's the minority that can come up with great ideas, and they don't even have to worry about them being implemented.
I tell you, the minority is where it's act. Even the Senate Democrats are pretty cool. Life in the minority is where it's at, it seems.
Most New Yorkers would like to see some new taxes levied on the rich—at least those making over $100k or so. I think that's a reasonable proposal, assuming those taxes are based on income and not property. Especially with New York's basically-flat-tax over $45k or whatever the value is. It's kind of crazy that people who are upper middle class (well, around here, at any rate), pay the same rate as people who are much richer. How about cutting taxes for the rest of us?
Don't worry, our fine New York Legislature is ready to work in cohorts with these people, finding every possible idea for taxes that they can come up with. We can't kill the legislature's scared cows, can we? There is nothing quite like New York Legislature hereford beef.
Okay, maybe hot - hot - hot, would be the right term.
I'm going to Thatcher Park and then eventually Partridge Run to enjoy this weather. Maybe I'll go hiking or fishing, or just hang out and enjoy the weather. It's really nice out there, and I'm done at 1 PM. Yeah.
Every should get out and enjoy this weather today, as it's going to be a high of 37°F on Thursday, compared to today's high of 82°F , yes 82°F . Sweet!
I am glad that a major paper clearly lacks proof readers. The proof is in the story:
Bush's Planned Tax Cut: $726 Billion Senate May Make It: $550 Billion - _________ Bush Doesn't Get $550 Billion According to the TU
See, and people say, I'm bad a math. May it's because I took College Alegbra and Trig, that I can add much better then the rest of the pols.
As he noted in a speech to the New York City Bar Association.
Of course, party politics in part probably play a role in this, as he is an democrat and was appointed by Bill Clinton. But I think this does bring an important issue, that my Nat'l Gov't professor has addressed significantly in the past few months.
Civil Liberties are important to protect, but like anything, they are best protected in moderation. Maybe I'd care more, if I felt my rights were directly in conflict with this new legislation. Well, maybe they are—but as far as I know, the government has yet to pass a bill forbidding me from participating in campaigns or for that matter contacting my representives.
So, I can still influence the political system without fear—those who resort to violence and other such means to influence the system, clearly must be limited to protect societies' greater good. As the Gazette OP-Ed says, lets keep civil when protesting. That only makes so much sense.
Bleh. And that smiling picture of our fine president on nygop.org makes me sick. Why can't they spend more of their time talking about real issues? Grr... silly politcs.
That seems rather popular these days in New York.
A bill to delay school budget votes by 2 weeks this year passed the Assembly unianmously, and the Senate unanminously, except for one vote in the negative. So it will become law, if the governor doesn't veto it like he promises to. Schools really need budget figures before they layoff most of their teachers, and increase their taxes by the maximum allowed figures. Remember, that if a school brings in more revenue then budgeted (thanks to the additional state funds that may be added later), and its more then the allowed reserve fund (schools can not reappriopiate programs after the budget), they will have to have slashed programs, and send back the money to the people who paid property taxes—which has additional costs to the schools, including mailing and cutting the checks. Sucks for them.
It looks like the the guv also has plans to veto, the potential joint Senate-Assembly budget that might pass in May, and then watch as they over ride their veto. See, he doesn't want to get blamed for those 'job-killing' taxes, that the legislature is drooling all over, for their favorite programs.
Funny thing is, the govenor seems to be in the closet over 'job-killing' taxes, he really likes them, but he doesn't want to admit that. After all, they keep raising taxes in Albany—look at the big increases in user fees. A fishing license now costs $19, and I'm sure car inspections will probably be quite a bit more next year too. Oh wait, I forgot, fees=taxes. So, what if they are wallet killing—the demand for money creates the demand for more labor. And that's kind of job-killing (as there will be more people seeking work). Go figure.
Yup, yup, yup.
As the POST points out, NYC doesn't always win in Albany budget wars, it just loses most of the time.
This is all from the state, that fought, and fought Baker v. Carr and the subsquent rulings. Downstate screwed again.
Maybe the legislature will actually act on it again this year—well probably not.
The old $10 dollar a tree penality is truly rediculus—it makes it worthwhile to steal and just pay the fine. Yeah, they'll probably get you on other crimes, but neccessarly. Shouldn't the state have the decency to raise penalities?
At any rate, the The Daily Star and Press-Republican has picked up on this bill again. Maybe it will happen this year, or maybe it will disappear.
The bill your interested in is A.3455 and S.3987. It has a Democratic sponser in the Assembly and a Republican in the Senate, so it may get considered—but the lack of action in the Assembly is disconcerning—it's obviously not a priority.
And if you don't think raising the fine is enough, check out this bill—they'll take your saws and other things away from you if you steal timber. So don't do that.
And speaking of timber, I think that prohibiting all logging on statelands is going a bit far, as it is a good source of money and resources for the state, and the state (and it's contractors), generally do a good job a logging. Not to mention that logging is neccessary for many forest management proccesses.
The weather was great out.
While I didn't get to fishing (I figured with the heat it probably wouldn't be worth it), I went to a) Thatcher Park Sledding Hill Areas (for the view/and to explore glacier field) b) Irish Hill Overlook (View of Switzkill valley amount other places) c) Partridge Run, in the Back Part (Off of—Draws Blank).
I got a bit of a sunburn/tan, but not really that bad. It was a nice afternoon—expect some of the pics I got to go on the new site.
At least for posting at thise web address.
Expect automagical redirect stuff to happen maybe on Thursday. Updates, much of the same new content stuff, and new stuff will all be found at allhewanted.org.
I'm sure the environmentalists are already screaming smoke screen for corporate interests.
But it's pretty interesting, this group that tries to combine interests of the Teamsters and the alike with that of environmentalists. It might actually represent a step forward (it would make sense for people who make their living on the environment to form an environmental group, wouldn't it?)
See this yahoo news site, or go directly to Council of Republicans for Environmental Advocacy.
