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Opinion

COUNTY: Affordability plan is discussion point

Editor's corner

We didn’t expect to see a plan being proposed last week by legislative Democrats to be taken seriously by Republicans in the Chautauqua County Legislature. It’s pretty early to make such commitments, especially in an environment when federal and state funding for programs used by county ...

Albany Dems hurting health care costs

Commentary

New York’s health insurance premiums have risen well above the national average, imposing a huge financial burden on New York residents. Unfortunately, the New York government recently approved another round of substantial premium rate hikes for almost all private health insurers operating in ...

STATE Expensive budget could get worse

The OBSERVER’s View

It should say something to Democrats in the state Legislature that Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli already has reservations about state spending in Gov. Kathy Hochul’s 2026-27 budget proposal. The budget increases all funds spending to $260 billion in 2027 while the state’s operating budget ...

Sweet memories from Valentine’s Day

Commentary

I vaguely recall learning about Valentine’s Day and all its trappings in first or second grade at Monroe Street Elementary. Mrs. Sullivan was the teacher. Friend Jerry Sullivan’s mom. Jerry the “papist” went to St. Mary’s Academy. My Protestant friends and I were “pagans.” I ...

Work, job training are critical needs

Commentary

In my eight years as a City Court Judge my biggest surprise was not our society’s drug problem but the hundreds of young men who appeared before the Court who did not work. These young men, most between 18 and 25 were “lost.” Many had dropped out of school at 16, which New York law ...

Brady is an excellent choice

Commentary

ORCHARD PARK — Let’s pick up where we left off last week. To be sure, dismissing a nine-year, grade-A head coach because one wants to do even better has its risks. On Jan. 21, Buffalo Bills’ owner Terry Pegula acknowledged as much. The Bills’ most important task this off season is ...