New York boasts the sixth-highest level of graduate and professional
degrees in the nation, with 12.6 percent of its population
aged 25 and older holding graduate or professional degrees,
according to a new survey analysis by the U.S
The
Democratic Assembly majority has proposed an economic-development
initiative that would the extend the state's Power for Jobs
program, change the state's economic-development administration,
impose new restrictions on the state's Empire Zone program,
promote strategic industry investments, and invest in workforce
education and training focused on high-tech jobs of the future
A
prominent New York State watchdog group has urged lawmakers
to adopt 10 key budget changes that would reform the budget
process and improve the state's fiscal prudence.
The
Citizens Budget Commission (CBC) said its 10 budget reforms,
which it dubbed "the Palisades Principles," are "more comprehensive
than any proposed by state leaders so far
Lawmakers shouldn't count too much on economic forecasting
reports predicting future growth in the state's economy, State
Comptroller Alan Hevesi warned in a new report.
“While current executive and legislative forecasts for
2005 and after are for continued, though lower, growth, there
are number of risks that could derail the economy, most notably
the lack of growth in jobs and the increasing federal deficit,” the report said
New York State’s power grid did not contribute to the
August, 2003, blackout, but utility companies need to secure
more backup power in the future, according to an initial report
by the New York State Public Service Commission.
“Although the power surges from Midwest cascaded through
New York and the surrounding region, there is no evidence
of any significant failures in the operations of New York's
electric system,” said Public Service Commission Chairman
William M
New
York State schools need an additional $9.5 billion in spending
over the next four years if they are to provide every student
the opportunity for a "sound basic education" as
required by the state Constitution, an advocacy group said
ALBANYElementary schools in Cortland, Erie, Westchester, Steuben,
Yates, and Nassau counties will receive The Business Council's 2004 Pathfinder
Award in separate ceremonies in March. The award honors schools that show
high improvement from one year to the next as measured by their students'
scores on state tests
The Alliance For Quality Health Care (AQHC) has issued its
second annual New York State Hospital Quality Indicators Report
Card for hospitals statewide. The report card is an independent
source of information for consumers and community leaders
concerned about health care quality and value
National
Fuel Gas Company plans to expand its natural gas pipeline
operations to serve new markets in New York and the Northeast
by extending the Empire State Pipeline.
This
extension project will provide an upstream supply link for
the Millennium phase I pipeline and will transport natural
gas supplies to downstream customers, including KeySpan Energy
Corp
New York State could cut Medicaid expenses by $4.6 billion
without reducing the program's effectiveness, according to
a new report from the Citizens Budget Commission (CBC).
“Medicaid costs are overwhelming counties across New
York State,” said Diana Fortuna, president of CBC