Ruh Roh Raggy!
As I left the house this morning, my son was watching an episode of Scooby Doo and of course Scooby uttered his famous line. I laughed. Yet it reminded me of dealing with our state government. Every...
View ArticleWe’ve been Waiting…
Judgment Day is only 137 days away. We, the taxpayers, are waiting. We are waiting for change…waiting for a budget…waiting for our legislators to listen to what we have to say. We’ve made some...
View ArticleDEAL OR NO DEAL?
They’re baaaaack! Well, not yet…and we don’t necessarily know when, but they’re coming. The Senate, that is. They are scheduled to vote on our state’s revenue legislation. Why didn’t the Senate vote...
View ArticleWhen Our Government Grows Up
The other day, I was sitting with my son flipping through stations and we stopped on Nickelodeon. There was a show on called Rugrats: All Grown Up. I stopped for two reasons. The first was because I...
View ArticleThe Proof is in the Pudding
Before they tell you what they’ll do, ask them what they’ve done. Have you ever heard that before? It’s an old adage that to me, in this current political environment, sums up what we all should be...
View ArticleThe Election May Be Over, But Unshackle is Just Getting Started
Although the polls have been closed for two days, the results of this year’s elections – and the impact they will have on the New York State Legislature – aren’t fully known. Still in play are just...
View ArticleActivity at the Capitol?
There was some activity at the Capitol this week, so I thought I might give you and update about what did (or didn’t) happen as well as some election information. So, what will I share? Little...
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Unshackle Upstate Update – April 15, 2011
From the Desk of the Executive Director Brian Sampson What’s Inside A Message from Brian Sampson - Support Unshackle Upstate - Join Our Fight Governor Reaches Agreement on New Contract with First...
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Unshackle Upstate Update – May 27, 2011
From the Desk of the Executive Director Brian Sampson What’s Inside A Message from Brian Sampson Property Tax Cap Agreement Announced* University at Buffalo Presents UB 2020 Proposal at Albany Summit*...
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Did Irene Expose Costly Mandates?
It is clear that the effects of Tropical Storm Irene will be felt in our Upstate communities for some time. While all reports indicate that we were prepared for the storm, it is a reminder of how...
View ArticleIs A Manufacturing Renaissance Possible For Upstate?
Upstate New York used to be the motor that made the American economy hum. Iconic companies like General Electric, Corning, Kodak, Bethlehem Steel and many others employed hundreds of thousands and...
View ArticleAlbany’s Winners and Losers – Week of April 14, 2014
Read last week’s list of New York’s “winners and losers” from City & State New York. Tweet
View ArticleAlbany’s Power 100 and Last Week’s Winners and Losers
Last week, City & State magazine released its second annual list of the 100 most influential people in state politics. In a list dominated by downstate interests, Unshackle Upstate’s Brian Sampson...
View ArticleAlbany’s Winners and Losers – Week of June 25, 2014
Read last week’s list of New York’s ‘winners and losers’ from City & State New York. Tweet
View ArticleDivision of Budget Releases Mid-Year Financial Plan Update
Last Monday, the Division of Budget (DOB) released the state’s mid-year fiscal update, which shows the state’s surplus from settlements with banks and financial institutions has grown to $5.1 billion....
View ArticleAlbany’s Winners & Losers
Each week, City & State New York publishes a list of the week’s political “winners” and “losers.” Read last week’s list here. Tweet
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