A sequestration update released today by Democrats on the House Committee on Appropriations, including Rep. Nita Lowey of Harrison, said the negative impacts of the across-the-board cuts that began in March “are gradually coming into focus” and have a direct impact on almost all Americans. These are some of the… Read More →
State and local governments have seen an increase in tax receipts following declines in 2008 and 2009, with total collections up more than 12 percent in nominal (unadjusted) dollars between the second quarter of 2009 and the third quarter of 2012, according to a report released this week from the… Read More →
Two Lower Hudson Valley roll-your-own tobacco shops were among 12 in the Capital District and Hudson Valley that were raided by the state Department of Taxation and Finance, which led to 10 arrests on charges of illegally possessing untaxed cigarettes and tobacco. The local shops are Tobacco House of C… Read More →
The Westchester County Department of Senior Programs and Services, the Westchester Public/Private Partnership for Aging Services and The Bristal assisted-living community are sponsoring a Senior Law Program May 7 on legal issues, financial matters and health preparations for senior citizens. The program, “Today, Today, Today … But What about Tomorrow?”... Read More →
Rockland lawmakers voted 11-6 yesterday to create a local development corporation to sell the financially strapped Summit Park Nursing Care Center, The Journal News/lohud.com reports today. Proceeds from the sale would be used to reduce the county’s $96.4 million budget deficit or cover the cost of operations if revenues fall significantly… Read More →
Sales taxes on tobacco products in New York, particularly cigarettes, have increased steadily in recent years, and the state boasts the highest in the nation at $4.35 a pack. The Senate’s one-house budget bill wouldn’t change that, but it would reduce taxes on cigars. The current excise tax on cigars is… Read More →
A pharmacist from Rockland and one from Westchester County were arrested today on charges of stealing more than $500,000 from New York’s Medicaid program, which serves the poor and disabled, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced today. Shaheen Begum, 57, of New City and Syed Rahman, 62, of Briarcliff Manor are… Read More →
The New York Health Department made $26 million in Medicaid overpayments and other questionable payments because its eMedNY claims processing computer system is flawed, an audit released by state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli today found. The agency started using a new payment mechanism in eMedNY four years ago to gain more control over payments for… Read More →
The state and the United University Professions union have reached a tentative contract, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and UUP President Phillip H. Smith (in photo below) announced this afternoon. The union, which represents more than 35,000 State University of New York employees, has been without a contract since 2011. The agreement—which… Read More →
The number of state workers who make more than $100,000 a year increased 13 percent in 2012, a review of state records by Gannett’s Albany Bureau found. There were 27,000 people making more than $100,000 annually, up 24,000 in 2011. The ranks of employees who earned more than $200,000 that year swelled from… Read More →
