I was listening to Tug Boat Mike filling in for the Reverend Tom on 2/23. Just before 5 o'clock a woman from Newfane called in and she was spot on with her comments. She explained some of the things corruption in Albany has brought us, it's just the tip of the iceberg.

I transcribed what she said:

What Corruption Brings us

  • A tax burden that's 64% above the US median
  • Public employment in the State and local levels are 17% above the national average
  • Government workers are payed 20% more than other states
  • We pay 55% more for electricity than the rest of the United States
  • Our Medicaid budget is more than California and Texas COMBINED
  • NYS Labor department reports 1,450,000 employees of the state, that's more than the construction, financial and manufacturing industries.
  • Even after a "reduction", we still have a high corporate tax rate
  • The Governor has failed to cut the 1,100 public authorities that racked up 250 BILLION in unpaid debt
  • 1,800 or 11.6% of the states workforce are paid more than $100,000/ year, they are products of Albany's political play
  • Rather than attacking the costs of pensions and healthcare, the Governor chose to spread it out over a longer period of time. This does nothing to prevent local government expenses from growing.
  • Disgraced (allegedly) career politician Senator Maziarz kept Niagara County one of the highest taxed counties in the nation. This area pays exorbitant electrical rates even though he was the chairman of the Energy Commission in the Senate. (and he has allowed the NY Power Authority to rip off the people of this area)


The public is responsible for returning the same people who perpetuate the corruption.