MADE2ENVY: KINGSTON POINT: SAT & SUN

I guess I'm still a muscle car enthusiast inside. I saw the signs around Kingston this week announcing the 10th annual MADE2ENVY car show down at Kingston Point Beach and had to take a peek. I am always pleasantly surprised at the variety of cars and trucks they feature at these shows.
Some make us drool, some make us laugh, But some remind us of when we tinkered with wrenches and aftermarket accessories. Yea those were the days. This generation of car & truck showmen are just dealing with newer models and state-of-the -art modifications. They all looked great.

I have to say great idea having the event at the Point Beach and Park space. It's spacious enough for the event, doesn't mess with downtown traffic and allowed families the opportunity to bring the kids. My hat's off to the Rec Department for offering this location.

CRACK & COCAINE SENTENCING

In today’s dangerous drug world, it is important for everyone from users to doctors to concerned parents to understand the differences between coke and crack. Cocaine has been around much longer, and is considered a more stable drug. By stable we are referring to price, consistent purity, and ease of availability.
Cocaine takes nearly 15 minutes to interact with the body’s system and produce the effects it is used for, while crack tends to be a nearly instantaneous hit at 15 seconds. This makes cocaine a more popular drug among those who are hedging toward the “safe side” versus those that are looking for a more “wild ride.” Crack is generally considered to be a more potent and dangerous drug because it entices the user to lose control of their thoughts and actions more directly than coke users. It is also instantaneously addictive.

That little bit of background should help to understand how important the recent actions of our House of Representatives last week. You see, they passed a bill Wednesday that would reduce the disparities between mandatory federal sentences for crack and powder cocaine violations, a step toward ending what legal experts say have been unfairly harsh punishments imposed mainly on blacks.

What brings the issue of race into the equation is availability and price. Crack is a fraction of the cost per dose than cocaine and since it's boom in popularity in the 80's, the lower income, inner city population became the battleground for law enforcement and addiction facilities. As a result, this plague disproportionately filled our prisons with young black and Latino drug users.

According to online sources: Under the current law, adopted in 1986 after a surge in crack cocaine smoking and drug-related killings, someone convicted in federal court of possession of five grams of crack must be sentenced to at least five years in prison, and possession of 10 grams requires a 10-year minimum sentence. With powder cocaine, the threshold amounts for those mandatory sentences are 100 times as high.

From the news programs Thursday night, I see the amount of crack that would invoke a five-year minimum sentence is raised to 28 grams and for a 10-year sentence, 280 grams. Although the use has diminished in recent years, 80% of those convicted on possession are still minorities.

Reported by the New York Times: The Congressional Budget Office estimates that under the new law, shorter sentences for possessors of small amounts of crack will save the federal prison system about $50 million over the next five years. Money that could be better spent on rehabilitation clinics I'm sure.

I don't think this drastic change in sentencing could have happened at any other time in administrative history. Although I am not an advocate for the use of any of these drugs, the incarceration costs to the taxpayer has increased steadily for decades. This, in addition to what I wrote last week about marijuana and sales tax, could really take the pressure off our prison system. But I'm not holding my breath.

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: ARIZONA

Judge Susan Bolton is wrong.

What the federal court has done in the ruling this Wednesday, is allow the federal government to continue doing as little as humanly possible to enforce our Immigration laws.

There are times when I scratch my head and ask, why do my brothers and sisters on the left, not see the damage afflicted to the U. S. by the continued drug and human trafficking that the Federal government seems to care less about. This would be the government that was controlled by both parties in the House and Senate and under Reagan, Bush, Clinton, Bush and now Obama.

To me, it's very simple. People come to this country to seek a better life, support their families and reach for the American dream. Here's the catch...WE want you to do it legally. Yeah, I know...too much to ask.

Thousands of new residents come here from other countries annually through the proper channels. They are subjected to Criminal and Medical Checks, Pay serious fees and succumb to random, and often invasive, home inspections while enduring the process. Many would like a simpler process but for the ultimate privilege of becoming a US citizen, they put up with it.

Not so for 12 - 20 million illegal immigrants. (Estimates vary when they either include overstays or not) There are plenty of people here in the US that simply didn't bother to check in when they entered the country. People who are unknown to our government. When I say unknown, I mean we don't know their criminal or medical history.

I know, the Amnesty/Open Borders advocates will surely beat me up for even pointing these facts out, but those are the facts. It's tough to "refudiate" them.

As for the Arizona law, there's still plenty left in the legislation that supporters are cheering. Arizona will be able to block state officials from so-called "sanctuary city" policies limiting enforcement of federal law; require that state officials work with federal officials on illegal immigration; allow civil suits over sanctuary cities; and to make it a crime to pick up day laborers.

Something the Judge failed to address when she was giving the green light to Coyotes south of the border. Striking down these "sanctuary city" policies has always been the No. 1 priority during this whole process.

Just the idea that the local municipalities will no-longer be able to block state agencies from enforcing immigration laws within their borders is a serious triumph to law enforcement. No matter where the issue ends up during the appeal process, Arizona will have some additional tools to work with.

Sheriff Arpaio, one of the more vocal advocates for real border security, indicated that the ruling by Judge Bolton merely lifts the mandatory requirement that officers ask for residency papers during an arrest. It doesn't prohibit officers from asking. What he told viewers on CNN is he would like those who broke the law to spend some time in jail before handing them over to ICE. That way they would experience some kind of penalty for the crime rather than a pampered bus trip back to Durango.

This whole set of events has also highlighted that our Federal Government has failed us on the immigration issue. There are many laws on the books pertaining to legal status already. Most resemble what Arizona was attempting to do through their own resources. But the desire to pander and mince words on the campaign trail has lead our Federal leadership to give a one finger salute to our border patrol and local law enforcement. That goes for all 50 states.

Judge Susan Bolton is wrong on the issue of State's rights and the protection of it's citizens and I look forward to the Supreme Court's handling of this case.

WHO WORKS IN THE COMMITTEE?

So, I'm looking over the pile of petitions that I got from the Boeard of Elections last week and what do I find? So many of the members of both major parties in the City of Kingston leave all the hard work to a select few.

Of course the petition process is anything but easy, considering it involves allot of traveling, finding people home and a willingness to endure the elements and time away from family. Still, there are people out there who desire the privilage if being a committeeman while so many hold seats just for the status.

Looking at my fellow Democratic Committee members, I see the same list of hard workers bringing in the big numbers.
Going by the VanBlarcum/Auerbach petitions with their Committee seats included: the big collectors are the usuals Peterson, Parsons, Mihm, Hoffay, Whitlock, Gillon, Noble, Provenzano, Stote and myself, with the three big catches going to Elisa Ball with 59, Hayes Clement with 60 and Charles Landi at 62. Nice job!

What strikes me is the abundance of inactive members with numbers as low as "0" and reaching the great hights of 3 & 4. These are the duties of a committeeman. It's considered a privilege. And get this, some even fell short of the needed signatures to retain membership. (Nice job Bill)

Which brings me to the Republican Committee. WOW! How do you guys do it?
Im looking at this list with disbelief! Like the Dems, you have a workforce thats a fraction of the body, but the ratio is much greater.

The active collectors are the usual: Ingarra, Turco-Levin, Jacobs and Kinnen with the three big catches going to Joe DiFalco with 16, Ron Polacco with 18 and Sinagra at 18. Good showing fellas.

What I found amusing on their team is the non-participation on the part of Fred Bell, Bruce McLean, Patricia Bruck, Mark Ingoglio, Mike Gill, and Todd Langon...all with ZERO. Even Duane Postupack, Lois Leahy, Robert & Kathy Rausch got a whopping 3 signatures each. Now you'd think the former Mayoral candidate Rich Cahill Jr would have been out there like a trooper, but with only 6 signatures on his petitions, he too must be getting tired.
Mind you, these are the committee placement petitions for the party.

Like the Democratic Committee, I'm sure there is a long waiting list of those who would like to have a position on the Republican Committee here in Kingston. I dont know what their process for filling those positions is on their side, but the Democrats who hold membership, should get their priorities in order and get to work. No time for letting others do the work of the full membership.

HINCHEY SPEAKS ON FLOOD INSURANCE

COUNTY DEPT MANDATE REVIEW

Sometimes events happen on the national level that resemble what we do locally. President Obama will sign into law today the Improper Payment Elimination Act -- an effort designed to slim down wasteful government programs and curb fraud in federal spending. He said: "The fact is, Washington is a place where tax dollars are often treated like Monopoly money, bartered and traded, divvied up among lobbyists and special interests,"

Without any prior knowledge of what the House & Senate were doing on the issue of transparency and efficiency, the Ulster County Legislature voted in favor of a similar measure. Though with a slightly different focus.

The Government Efficiency Committee presented the full body this past Tuesday with Resolution 192, which asks that the departments within the government operations in Ulster County, provide a detailed review and explanation to the Legislature on what mandates they face, funded and non-funded, and how they work their limited funding and staff around those mandates.

In the new charter, the Legislature has the ability to delve into the workings of these departments only after the impending budget has been offered by the Executive. What the committee is looking for, is the ability to look at these mandatory spending priorities before the budget process begins. This would give us more time as freshmen to get a better understanding of what our limitations are.

In the City of Kingston, we went through a similar transition when our Comptroller, John Tuey, came onboard and walked the Council through the details in depth. He now does this annually. Many of the Legislators however, find we don't have that level of knowledge for department operations. Since the departments are ten times larger than those in Kingston, it makes sense to get the information right from the department head.

With a little investigation, it turns out that much of what we are asking for is presented in the level of detail we desire, to the Executive already and it's a matter of having copies made and repeating whatever presentation they've made to him, to the committee that oversees that department.

My friend Dave Donaldson claims that we, as guardians of the county purse strings, have always had the option of delving into the mandates. Others on the Legislature, say they just haven't acted on that right. What I, and the rest of the committee are looking for is information before the budget process starts. We didn't get that. In order for the resolution to pass, the language had to be watered down to reflect what was already limited in the Charter. That gives us the usual two months to investigate the annual status of the departments.

The Resolution passed along party lines with the exception of Gregorius, Zimet and myself voting in favor. At least we are guaranteed the information through resolution.

LEGALIZING POT COULD RUIN DRUG CARTELS

California has an initiative on the ballot this November that New York might want to consider. It puts the issue of legalizing marijuana in the hands of the electorate. From what I've read, the polls are showing an even split either way.

First, this would be the first time that any state or country has legalized pot production and sales. What would entice the citizens of California to vote for such a drastic change? Taxation. Sure there's the issue of law enforcement and addiction clinics, but Californian's are looking at the dollar signs when their state is imploding with the worst economic crisis in the country.

Hemp is one of the most widely used sources of nutrition worldwide. Did you know that? I was shocked to find that out myself, but as I stated in the title of this post, this would also have a diminishing affect on the drug traffic and violence along our southern border. Some analysts and policymakers now say that America should legalize weed in order to reduce the power of Mexico’s drug cartels. Lawmakers shouldn't be so naive as to who would really fight this daring move.

Understand; marijuana carries the least amount of overhead cost for many of the cartels and provides some of their cash flow for buying guns and influence. Estimates vary, but analysts say pot accounts for somewhere in the range of 20 to 50 percent of the cartels’ profits. What I'd like to point out is that there are many institutions that have built a level of necessity around the war on drugs and the inclusion of Marijuana.

Who would lose in the states? Well, pot is a type of Hemp. An easy to grow plant that requires very little overhead and can be used for more than just rope and money.

The cotton industry will fight this legislation as well as the tree/paper industry. Both have much to lose if hemp is allowed to be grown and harvested outside of the smoking use. Hemp yields such a large volume of fiber source per plant and would completely devistate the tree harvesting industry. We would see forests lasting longer while the plant is easy to manage, it also produces 10X the oxygen as the same aged tree.

Clothing made from hemp is as soft as cotton, more durable, and resists mildew. Not what the cotton farmers want to hear. We could actually see a rise in American textile manufacturing because hemp is cheaper to grow and process than cotton. Maybe those same cotton farmers could change what they're growing.

But getting back to California; if the measure passes, that state could become a major supplier of the drug to the rest of the U.S. That would hurt the cartels badly. It's estimated that it could reduce the drug’s pretax price by more than 80 percent. But like any taxable commodity, the rate has to fit the demand. If you tax high-grade California cannabis at a competitive level than the less potent Mexican imports, you cut the illegal market price by default.

If you're worried about the prison industry and the employment status of some Californians, the pot paradigm change wouldn’t put the cartels out of business...they’d still be major players in the markets for cocaine, heroin, and meth. So, as long as we continue to ignore the porous border situation, we will have a steady flow of clients for the prisons in the border states. Don't worry.

ELTON & MISS PIGGY

GREASE FIRE: LESSON LEARNED

Just a public safety reminder for all who have overhead exhausts above their kitchen stove. Don't forget to clean the grease screen once in a while. The picture above is the Kingston Fire Department visiting 110 Henry Street this past Wednesday afternoon. There was a small fire in the kitchen due to the build-up above the stove. No-one was hurt.

The best guess is that the landlord neglected to clean it between tenants and it may have been this dangerous while the former day care was operating at this location.

Once the residence was secure, the firefighters asked that people should be made more aware of just how volatile grease can be when unattended like this. This visit cost the city taxpayers a few dollars, but could have easily cost a few lives.

ONE NATION

There have been voices of reason calling for an alternative coalition to the regressive Tea Party movement for months now. Something that better represents the thinking, more intellectual progressive majority in our electorate. Sure we've seen smaller groups forming and working on specific issues but they act as fractured as the Conservatives once were. That may change as we head into the election season.

The Washington Post has an article focused on just this effort: In an effort to replicate the tea party's success, 170 liberal and civil rights groups are forming a coalition that they hope will match the movement's political energy and influence. They promise to "counter the tea party narrative" and help the progressive movement find its voice again after 18 months of foundering.

Even the newly formed Coffee Party, with it's desire to engage voters on serious issues without the divisive undertones, have found it hard to work on issues alone. The history of "sibling rivalry" as noted in the article, is well documented and has stalled much of the needed influence in legislation for decades. The "One Nation Coalition" might serve as the adult in the room that sits all the groups down and forces them to work together.

Traditionally, minorities and young voters all but disappear during midterm elections. This is when the WASPs among us have the most impact on general elections. We all know this. Those who wish to keep the country moving in a progressive direction cringe at the thought, while those who pine for the good ol' days of Hula Hoops & Davy Crockett, march to the polls in droves.

What most of us have come to terms with is the idea that the general public, thinks the new President, regardless of which party affiliation, is expected to fix the wrongs of the previous administration during the early years of their first term. Those of us who pay attention, know it takes longer than that depending on what you perceive as wrongs. The party opposite of the President is expected to use that electorate lethargic reaction to it's benefit. For this, I cant blame the Republicans; they are doing a great job heading into November.

What helps them is the sad reality that the jobless rate is 15.4 percent for blacks and 12.4 percent for Hispanics, compared with 8.6 percent for whites.Those who supported Obama the strongest are also the voting base hit the hardest during the very disaster that he inherited. My Republican friends know this and admit, it's just what they need to get at least one of the houses back this fall.

The Post also printed: Liberal leaders see "much of the progressive agenda at risk in this election," said Paul Starr, a professor of public affairs at Princeton University and co-editor of the American Prospect. "There is no choice but for these groups to get together. The historical pattern is that voter turnout falls disproportionately among minorities and young people at these midterm elections, so they are fighting a historical trend."

The effort has a historical parallel in a story that Obama has told on the campaign trail. According to the story, when labor organizer and civil rights leader A. Philip Randolph met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt to press his issues, Roosevelt told Randolph that he agreed with him, but that Randolph should "go out and make me do it."

Lets see if this "One Nation" effort has the impact that they think it will.

CARNIVAL SAFETY

So, with the Carnival operating in the Kingston Plaza this week, I thought I'd post this article on the safety measures associated with carnival rides.

Attention: According to the Federal Government, more than 7,000 Americans go to the emergency room every year after getting injured on carnival rides.

Here's the issue: The Consumer Product Safety Commission regulates how the rides are manufactured, but there is no federal oversight over how they are set up and maintained.

That's left to the states, and some do a great, thorough job, but others do nothing.

CLICK HERE to see how and how often your state inspects carnival rides

Carnival rides are supposed to be a little bit scary, not a lot. But terrifying accidents happen every summer for three main reasons: equipment failure, inconsistent state regulations and old-fashioned human error.

Some states inspect carnival rides every time they are set up in a new location, others only inspect them once a year. And six states perform no inspections whatsoever, according to the Commission.

"The best thing for the amusement ride industry would be a uniform set of regulations that are applicable in all 50 states." Martin said.

Even if the equipment is in good shape, operator error is the next variable. At an Indiana festival in May, two girls were injured on a ride that included a plunging drop. Authorities said the operator accidentally released the safety catch on the cage the girls were in and it opened.

And then there is the third factor: the human element.

Virginia and other states have passed rider responsibility laws that require carnival guests to behave on rides. Martin said our responsibility begins long before that.

"You, yourself, before you get on that ride are the final inspector," he said. "If it looks bad, it probably is. If it sounds bad, it probably is."

The National Association of Amusement Ride Safety Officials said that the vast majority of accidents are caused by the riders themselves.

"Generally speaking, mobile rides are safe," a spokesperson said. "Eighty-five percent of the accidents are caused by unsafe acts on the part of the rider or patron. The majority of ride operators today are very safety conscious."

What You Can Do to Stay Safe

Because some of the responsibility falls on riders to stay safe, here are a few things you can do.

Go on a weekday.

Try to go to the carnival on a weekday instead of nights or weekends, when it's more crowded and chaotic and more likely for accidents to happen.

Wear appropriate clothing and shoes.

Don't wear any clothing that dangles or drags and wear sturdy shoes -- no flip-flops.

Seat belt should be snug, but not tight.

Adjust your seat belt so it's nice and snug but not tight.

Keep arms, legs, head inside compartment.

Follow instructions about keeping your arms, legs and head inside the compartment.

Make sure ride has ended before exiting.

Keep in mind that many accidents happen when the ride is over and you're trying to get off. Problem is, often the ride really hasn't ended and people start to get out and then get struck. Make sure the ride operator has told you it's time for you to get out.

SUE THE STATE OVER FORCLOSURES?

One of the many issues discussed at the UC Government Ops & Efficiency Committee was the initiation of a foreclosure lawsuit against the State of New York.

For years, long before I started attending Legislative meetings, the members were somewhat split on the issue of foreclosing on properties in the county. For the most part, the properties in question have always been landlocked unusable prospects or dilapidated structures. But the number of occupied homes on the list is increasing, causing more of a stir on the Legislature.

Frank Felicello and Susan Zimet expressed their disapproval at the last formal meeting and now, as a member of the Ops & Eff Committee, Susan is pushing the county to lead the effort in suing the state. It's an initiative that has merit and if other counties see the benefit, join in the suit.

The crux of the suit would be that the County has to make the school districts whole at the end of their fiscal year. Meaning we take designated funds and meet the needs of the districts across Ulster County. Doesnt that mean Kingston taxpayers are helping to fill the budget needs of Onteora, Saugerties and Rondout? Taxpayers in those districts are helping to pay off Kingston's? Is that right?

Do we have any say in their board and budget votes? No!

Should that be considered taxation without representation? Youbetcha!

So the committee is going to explore potential legal remedies against the state since the county must pay the costs of delinquent taxes. Unless we push to dissolve the individual districts and make the schools part of a county consolidation, the act of covering these debts should stop.

Zimet (talking to Hank Gross) was quoted in the MidHudson News: "At a certain point we have to stop saying we can’t afford this anymore and if the counties are willing to step up to the plate to do a lawsuit against the State of New York, so be it. That’s what we’re investigating”.

Also at task is the revision of the outdated Personnel & Ethics Guidelines and the addition of Nepotism language for all departments throughout the county employ. Updates on those as they develop.

PATERSON ANNOUNCES SAFETY GRANTS

Governor David A. Paterson today announced that New York State and New York City have applied for $540 million in broadband Federal stimulus grants to expand existing State-owned broadband networks and strengthen public safety interoperability in all of the State's counties, New York City, and neighboring states.

The proposed projects reflect the Governor's plan to build a New Economy based on knowledge, technology and innovation, by maximizing Federal stimulus funding to improve broadband infrastructure while creating jobs to stimulate the State economy. The State of New York, in partnership with the New York State Association of Counties (NYSAC) and the City of New York, submitted separate but complementary broadband Federal stimulus applications to the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which represent an unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration between State and local entities.

"These two applications are the most innovative and efficient public safety networks our current technology has to offer," Governor Paterson said. "The projects align with the goals set forth in the broadband provisions of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, specifically with regard to enhancing service for public safety anchor institutions, as well as supporting New York State's overall broadband strategy. I can think of no better projects for the NTIA to fund for our public safety than these applications submitted on behalf of the State of New York and the City of New York."

New York State, in partnership with NYSAC, proposes to deploy a 700 MHz wireless broadband network for public safety use to 57 counties outside of New York City for State and local government use. The network will adopt a common technological standard to support a variety of applications which public safety users can access during normal and emergency field operations. Applications include streaming video, digital imaging, automatic vehicle location, computer aided dispatching, e-mail, mapping/GIS, remote database access, report management system access, text messaging, telemetry/remote diagnostics, and web access will be available over the high-speed broadband.

WE NEED A ROUNDABOUT

Just like the intersection of Greenkill, Fair St and 32...the intersection of 587, Albany Avenue and Broadway needs a good looking at. You'll discover counting hoses and survey equipment around the Police Park during the summer and fall as the State continues it's study of this crazy intersection.

Below is a report from the County website that focuses of the progress of the study. What pains me is if there are to be some major changes around this area, then we wasted unnecessary funds rebuilding the sidewalks here when the stretch from Foxhall to E Chester St is desperate for attention.

The City of Kingston’s I-587 at Albany Avenue intersection is in need of design improvements. Currently, left turn lanes serving north and south bound Albany Avenue traffic provide insufficient levels of service during peak travel hours. Safety and pedestrian issues also warrant an analysis of intersection safety and design alternatives.

Federal and State funding for final design and construction is programmed by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) in 2011 and 2015, respectively, to improve the intersection. A consulting group, headed by Fitzgerald & Halliday of Hartford, Connecticut, is retained to help provide professional transportation engineering, public outreach, and conceptual design work. The study is funded using 95% Federal and 5% County funds and is managed by the Ulster County Transportation Council.

An Advisory Committee is assembled and comprised of representatives of the local business community, elected officials, City and County municipal staff, and NYSDOT. The study is expected to begin April 2010 and take one year to complete.

DINALLO GOES TO WASHINGTON

Below is another Press Release coming out of the Dinallo For Attorney General campaign. Lets hope Eric has an impact on the financial reforms coming out of DC.

If he had resisted, Congress would have probably subpoenaed him. But Eric Dinallo is headed to Washington willingly on Thursday to urge the federal government to follow the model he oversaw while running the Insurance Department as it finalizes the financial regulations overhaul legislation that took a giant step toward passage in a deal struck late last week.

The appearance in front of the Financial Inquiry Commission will take him off the campaign trail for the day and has already consumed hours of an official pre-interview and other preparation. Nonetheless, Dinallo said that he sees the testimony not only as an obligation, but a chance to refocus attention on a main pillar of the argument he is making in the attorney general’s race: he is most familiar with financial regulations that exist, and best equipped to deal with those that will soon be added with this new bill.

“It’s important that a candidate for attorney general be able to speak and understand this topic because the next attorney general is going to have to be fairly intimate and aware and knowledgeable of this new reform,” Dinallo said. “Whoever the next AG is, he or she will have to interpret it, be able to backstop it, make sure the transparency is there.”

Dinallo’s testimony will essentially serve as advice to regulators looking for how to best ensure compliance with existing and new regulations. He will argue that federal regulators should look to what he and others did on the state level as a model. On his watch as insurance superintendent, Dinallo said, the laws were enforced to lead to what he called “bars of gold in the mud of AIG that will pay off the taxpayers for the investment banking arm, that was federally mandated, that ran the company into bankruptcy.”

Also on the list of expert witnesses for Thursday’s hearing: Stephen Bensinger, the former CFO of AIG, Elias Habayeb, the former CFO of the financial services division of AIG, and from Goldman Sachs, managing director David Lehman and CFO David Viniar.

Sitting alongside the other members of this group, Dinallo will argue that credit default swaps and derivatives should have been dealt with in a more primary way within the new financial reforms to make them more effective.

Without doing that, Dinallo said, he feared that all the moves toward changing the system could be undercut.

“These are all exceptions that may one day swallow the rule,” he said.

Between health care reform and financial services reform, Dinallo said, the next New York attorney general’s term will be complicated by Washington. There will be prosecuting the cases shaped by the new legislative framework, but Dinallo said he also expects the job to include working with the governor and Legislature to think through how far beyond the federal mandates New York should go. Already, for example, state law lets children stay on their parents’ health insurance until age 29, while the law signed by President Obama this spring will only let them stay on until age 26.

“We’re going to have to decide how much in sync New York should be with the federal program,” Dinallo said.