Opinion

COUNTY: Affordability plan is discussion point

The OBSERVER’s View February 2, 2026

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 residents is in flux. But now is just the time for the legislature to be thinking about the proposal from legislators Bob Bankoski and Tom Nelson. Bankoski and Nelson proposed cutting county property taxes by $2 million, increasing the senior citizen partial property tax exemption income limit ...

Albany Dems hurting health care costs

Commentary February 2, 2026

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 New York state. Why are premiums so much more expensive than the national average? New York imposes taxes on your hospital bill, on your health insurance contract, on the premium you pay and on health insurance companies. According to an independent analysis of the state budget, New Yorkers ...

Work, job training are critical needs

Commentary January 31, 2026

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 still allows. Perhaps one-fourth of the way through the 21st Century we should decide to keep our young men in high school until graduation and teach them the value of work as both a source of self esteem and a source of financial independence. We know this approach could reduce crime and the use of ...

Sweet memories from Valentine’s Day

Commentary January 31, 2026

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 remember making a red paper heart card bordered by white lace with the words “I Love You- Happy Valentine’s Day” written in black ink on it. My mother, Vivian Van Slyke Lenarcic, kept it until she died. Cards aside, there was the candy. My favorite part of the Roman Emperor Claudius II’s gift ...

STATE Expensive budget could get worse

The OBSERVER’s View January 31, 2026

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 increases to $157.6 billion. Stronger performance on Wall Street is driving higher tax revenue that pays for increased spending on programs Hochul is proposing. Hochul said the budget also replaces $10.3 in federal funding – including $3 billion in recurring federal funding – that has been cut ...

Brady is an excellent choice

Commentary January 30, 2026

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 to make this decision work. The team took the first step in that direction on Jan. 27 by promoting its offensive coordinator to head coach. * * * Joe Brady, a Hollywood, Fla., native, grew up in Pembroke Pines, Fla.; spent his undergraduate years at the College of William & Mary, where he ...