Buffalo News writer Tom Precious pretty much says all that needs to be said about the state of the state in the first paragraph of his story today:

ALBANY — State lawmakers returned Tuesday to Albany, collected their per diems, ate free lunches, huddled with lobbyists and met with each other in private. But they were unable to accomplish the chief task that brought them back to the Capitol: budget repair.

That's good, honest reporting.

October 15th is White Cane Awareness Day. October is White Cane Awareness Month.  The White Cane enables freedom, self-reliance, and identification to the public.  Only persons who are legally blind are allowed to carry a long white cane with a red strip above the tip.  New York State's White Cane Law requires drivers to yield to persons carrying a white cane or using a guide dog. 

Pedestrians with a visual impairment need to concentrate when crossing.  Do not honk or shout that it is safe to cross.  Give pedestrians room to cross.  Stop before the crosswalk, not in it. 

The right on red law requires a full stop.  After you stop, make certain that your path is clear of other cars and pedestrians before you turn. 

If you think someone carrying a white cane needs assistance, ask first.  If assistance is accepted, offer your elbow to the individual. 

When giving directions, be clear using concrete terms (turn right at the corner, left at the next, cross two streets, etc.).  Avoid pointing and general terms such as "over there." 

Pedestrians, including those who are visually impaired, cross streets assuming that you will know and obey traffic rules. 

Please drive safely, and have a Happy White Cane Awareness Month! 

NYS is now putting yet ANOTHER tax on business.....

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/792670.html

Once again, LOWERING TAXES GROWS BUSINESS....RAISING TAXES (or disguising taxes as "fees") CHASES BUSINESS (jobs) AWAY!!

They need to quit spending ALL our $$.  They are just NOT going to stop taking it all until we are totally broke!

Holland Land Office Museum Director Pat Weissend tells us why our forebears saw fit to end New York state at Lake Erie instead of just continuing on to the Mississippi... or on to the Pacific. Why not? Pat tells us. Also included in this third installment of our series on what's going on over at that museum is Pat's explanation of why Transit Road is called Transit Road. Really, this one's a gem, folks. Enjoy!