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Tonko: What I’d tell ObamaMay 8, 2012 at 5:31 am by Jay Jochnowitz, Editorial page editorRep. Paul Tonko writes about the region’s challenges and what he’d like to say to the president, with whom he’s traveling about Air Force One today. Nothing is more humbling than earning the trust of the constituents of the 21st Congressional District of New York to represent… Read more »

Two years ago this week, the Affordable Care Act was signed into law. Some dubbed this an historic act. Others claimed it was a socialist takeover of our health care system. But many expressed to me their uncertainty as to what the law actually did and how it would impact them or their family. Two years later, let’s take a look at some of the facts.Some 5,900 young adults (26 and… Read more »

To the editor,I am heartened to see the public concern over Governor Paterson's plan to close state parks as part of his effort to deal with the state's financial problems. It has also been encouraging to see state lawmakers step forward, voicing their advocacy to keep our parks open.It's understood that our state leaders have difficult choices to make as they work to close a… Read more »

While millions will cut short their Thanksgiving gatherings to get a place at the front of the line on Black Friday, you can avoid the rush, get some rest, and support local jobs by taking part in the second annual Small Business Saturday this weekend. Small Business Saturday encourages patronization of local businesses for holiday shopping. As consumers, we should embrace this mantra… Read more »

Plain and simple: Americans are better than the gasoline we put into our vehicles.Every day, I hear from people in our region that "gasoline prices are going up." "Can't you do something about this?" or "Can't we just drill more?" they ask.The facts that drive this oil debate can often be overlooked and warrant… Read more »

The talk coming out of Washington is as rigid and partisan as ever. Some are calling for across-the-board spending cuts. Some are calling for tax increases. And still others, including President Barack Obama, are seeking middle-ground compromise. All the while, the economy moves sluggishly along and the Aug. 2 debt ceiling deadline creeps ever closer.Our nation is at a nexus, and I… Read more »

Published in Times Union, April 2, 2012The news coming out of Albany last week centered on passage of New York's budget. But another budget battle was under way in Washington; a proposed budget that would shake the foundations of America's principles and priorities — the Ryan budget.The House Republicans have voted for a budget, offered by Budget Committee Chairman Paul… Read more »

Published in the Amsterdam Recorder 9/1/2010To the editor:I am writing in response to the Aug. 25 letter from Deborah Auspelmyer and Charles Schwartz of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce titled "Health care mandate would hurt small businesses." The specific mandate that President Auspelmyer and Chairman Schwartz refer to is section 9006 of the Affordable Care Act.… Read more »

Word that Global Foundries has struck a deal with New York State to provide prevailing wages for workers who will construct the company's state of the art chip plant in Malta is a huge win for New Yorkers. Read more »