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I think it is a travesty that the Thaddeus Kościuszko bridge is commonly referred to as the Twin Bridges. Kościuszko was a volunteer from Poland and did much to secure the independence of the colonies from Britain. Among other things, he helped us win the Battle of Saratoga.

The writer is a member of the Fort Crailo Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Published Feb. 17, 2025

The politicians in Albany along with Gov. Kathy Hochul are choosing to spend millions of taxpayers' money looking at how to eliminate Interstate 787 and rebuild Albany's infrastructure.

Did anyone really ever take into consideration the drastic impact this would have on traffic? I-787 was built for a purpose and that was to take all the commercial and passenger car traffic in, out and around downtown to alleviate traffic jams. Since 787 was built, the amount of traffic it endures on a daily basis has increased several times over.

The only other highways are Interstate 87 (the Northway) and Interstate 90.

If we want more access to the river, construct a tunnel or overpass to achieve that goal. If we want to rehab downtown, then build the appropriate infrastructure for that purpose.

If the politicians ever choose to eliminate I-787, the future of Albany will truly be a bleak one. In the long term, this plan will not only drive more people out of the city of Albany but also the state of New York.

Published Feb. 10, 2025

As an organizer with the National Union of the Homeless, I work closely with the un-housed community of Albany. We are exhausted by the housing crisis in New York state, and we are not alone in feeling that way. Thousands of New Yorkers are suffering from the threat of eviction and homelessness.

We are calling on the governor and Legislature to take action by passing the Housing Access Voucher Program, which would provide rental assistance to lift people out of homelessness and keep low-income tenants in their homes.

I experienced homelessness for the second time from 2021 through 2024. My crisis began when my marriage suddenly came to an end. In the blink of an eye, I went from having the support of my husband's income to only my own. I received Social Security Disability and I worked part-time, but I could not afford to secure and maintain housing on my own. I immediately applied for public housing, and, after the arduous application process, I was placed on the waiting list. The estimated wait is two years, or longer. I am still on that list. Meanwhile, I have been watching my health decline.

Living at or below the poverty line is like walking a tightrope. We try to maintain balance under extraordinary pressure. The Housing Access Voucher Program is the safety net New Yorkers need when we fall. The governor and Legislature must include this critical lifeline in this year’s state budget.

Published Feb. 17, 2025

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New York's senior citizens are a cherished part of our vibrant state. Yet, too often, Medicare Advantage, a program that supports our seniors in maintaining healthy, vital lives, is threatened by budget cuts and benefit reductions. This cannot continue.

As an Assemblyman on the Aging Committee, I've seen firsthand how the Medicare Advantage program provides New York's seniors with affordable healthcare and enhanced coverage through preventative care and wellness programs. These are not "extra" benefits. Prevention plans and wellness programs that support a high quality of life are as necessary to today's active and engaged seniors as acute medical treatments.

With that in mind, lawmakers must........

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