May 5
2012
Investigative Post Editor Jim Heaney discusses a proposal to redevelop the outer harbor as a park, without significant development, and how much the public should pay to finance improvements to Ralph Wilson Stadium to retain the Buffalo Bills.
May 2
2012
A graphic by the Economist tracks the correlation between rising CO2 levels and increases in ocean and atmospheric temperatures.
May 2
2012
Albany Times Union: “Without providing notice, the Republican-controlled Senate approved $9.95 million in aid to school districts that was apportioned with partisan discretion. The move drew shrieks from the chamber’s minority Democrats, who noted the funds were entirely steered to parts of the state represented by GOP senators.”
May 2
2012
Assemblyman Sean Ryan: “We shouldn’t be subsidizing part-time jobs at donut shops.”
May 2
2012
While print sales continue to decline, some papers are making up ground with digital subscriptions.
Apr 29
2012
ProPublica has produced a roundup of the best watchdog coverage on campaign finance since Citizens United, the Supreme Court case that gave us super PACs.
Apr 29
2012
The New York Times on Sunday published yet another damning investigation on the business practices of Apple. Among the key findings: Apple has exploited the tax code, both here and aboard. According to The Times: Apple’s headquarters are in Cupertino, Calif. By putting an office in Reno, just 200 miles away, to collect and invest the company’s profits, Apple sidesteps state income taxes on some of those gains. California’s corporate tax rate is 8.84 percent. Nevada’s? Zero. Setting up an office in Reno is just one of many legal methods Apple uses to reduce its worldwide tax bill by billions[...]
Apr 25
2012
Lying has become rampant in public life. In politics, it’s called “spin.” In business, “public relations.” In sports, “upper body injury.” Well, not exactly, but you get the drift. The propensity of the press to produce “he said, she said” stories and otherwise give disproportionate coverage to the loudest voices in the room regardless of their credibility has helped enable this epidemic of dishonesty. Cable television and social media are also complicit. In response, a number of websites dedicated to fact checking have set up shop in recent years. Here’s a rundown on the best of them. PoliFact.com is produced[...]