Steve's barking at making New York State the Empire State again.

Not so long ago I wrote an article that I sent to the New York Times which for what ever reason turned me down.
So I then sent the article to the Albany Times Union and what do you think I got the same results.
So after many sleepless nights (exactly none) I've decided to let the free world have a look at my foolish idea with the hope that people in this cruel world will critic my foolish idea for New York State.

                          Making New York the Empire State Again Not the Me Too State    

 After hearing Governor elect Andrew Cuomo plans for New York State I can’t help but compare his statement for the future of this state with Chris Christies implementation of his budget for New Jersey. It also sounds similar to so many other governors that the only thing I can think of is that we should change the name of this state to the Me Too State from the Empire State.

 Now I have a plan to place New York State in the leadership roll of the states of this country

;The most important renovation is too eliminate 1/3 the state budget that is going to health care. I would do this by asking a waiver from the United States government on the health care reform act of 2010 and replace it with a 2 percent or less income tax from all who derive income from New York State. This income tax would be used to buy health care insurance for all. The boilerplate would be the Empire plan. If one wanted to more, then one could purchase it. This would eliminate the need for businesses in this state buy health insurance making them more competitive with foreign compaction. We would also need to get Medicare for those who are eligible with the provision that Medicare part B would be paid by the tax. The plan would also need to get Medicaid for those who are income eligible to help defray the cost of insurance. Those who make under $20000 will have no co-pay. 20001 to $35000 will pay $5 co-pay. A top co-pay of $20 for those who can afford it. The only thing the government will do is monitor the insurance companies to make sure they give the service that they claim to give and to dole out the money from the income insurance tax. If this plan can’t be implemented a plan (B) must be thought up to reduce the 1/3 of the state budget for health care.

 New York can’t be shy about borrowing money. The infrastructure of this state as in all states are falling apart. When we borrow the money for roadways and bridges we have to be able to pay for it from tolls or some other direct income that affects roadway travel. Tolls should not go to pay for schools or even subways. We cannot borrow using toll money to pay what’s it’s not intended for. We shouldn’t be afraid of borrowing money as long we can pay for it directly for the purpose that it’s intended for.

A very important thing that this state and all governments must do is believe in the sanctity of contracts. For every contract the state gives out the contractor must live up to it no matter how well connected the contractor is. Long term contracts must be reviewed and audited at least once every four years and if the contract isn’t being done according to the terms of the contract, it should be called null and void and the state should demand its money back. Even if it means that the state will loss many of its contractors. The state will have to hire more auditors and set up a quota on how many audits are done in order to keep the contractors honest.

The state should try to get the best brains to streamline the paperwork that small business must put up with. When I state that the state must streamline paperwork this must be done without hurting employees or in some cases the environment. A review must be done with workers comp again without hurting the employee.

Then again why think of ways to help the state when we can play follow the leader and blame the union’s blame the workers insist that we pay too much tax instead of trying ways to lower cost, thus lowering taxes without gutting services.