Family Assistance, Department of

Financial Control Board, New York State

General Services, Office of

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Clearinghouse

Governor's Office

Governor's Traffic Safety Committee

Health, Department of

Higher Education Services Corporation

Homeland Security, Office of

Housing and Community Renewal, Division of

Housing Finance Agency/State of NY Mortgage Agency (SONYMA)

Hudson River Park Trust

Hudson River Valley Greenway

Hudson-Fulton-Champlain Quadricentennial Commission

Human Rights, Division of

Inspector General, Office of the

Insurance Department

Insurance Fund, State

Judicial Conduct, Commission on

Labor, Department of

Local Government Efficiency & Competitiveness, Commission on

Lottery, Division of

Medicaid Inspector General, Office of

Mental Health, Office of (En Espanol)

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Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Military and Naval Affairs, Division of

Motor Vehicles, Department of

Nassau County Interim Finance Authority

New York State Commission on Higher Education

New York State Law Revision Commission

NYS Canal Corporation

Office of Victim Services (En Espanol)

Olympic Regional Development Authority

Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Office of

Parole, Division of

People With Developmental Disabilities, Office for

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Power Authority

Prevention of Domestic Violence, Office for the

Probation and Correctional Alternatives, Division of

Public Employment Relations Board

Public Integrity, Commission on

Public Service, Department of

Quality of Care and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, Commission on

Racing and Wagering Board

Real Property Tax Services, Office of

Regulatory Reform, Governor's Office of

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation of the State of New York

Science, Technology and Innovation, NYS Foundation for

Senate, New York State

South Shore Estuary Council

State Comptroller, Office of

State Employees Federated Appeal (SEFA)

State Police, Division of

State University Construction Fund

State University of New York (SUNY)

State, Department of

Tax Appeals and Tax Appeals Tribunal, Division of

Taxation and Finance, Department of

Teachers' Retirement System

Technology, Office for

Temporary and Disability Assistance, Office of

Thruway Authority

Transportation Federation, The New York State

Transportation, Department of

Veterans' Affairs, Division of

Welfare Inspector General, Office of the

Workers Compensation Board

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That's an impressive list of agencies you compiled, Oleg! Office of Mental Health? Canal Corporation? Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority
and Office of Community Renewal? Пожалуй, несколько сократить NY штатские оффисы, а заодно и довести 9% в NY налогов до 6.5% в KS, может действительно будет нелишним. Более того, то же скорее всего нужно сделать с Федеральным Правительством. Но с тем, что правительство должно быть более эффективным и содержать меньше дармоедов, никто ведь не спорит. Также, как и с тем фактом, что каждое из этих перечисленных агенств когда-то были нужны и одобрены публикой, но, со временем изжив себя, так и остались в реестре.

Поэтому, решение проблемы не в том, что "правительство должно быть малым", а в том, чтобы оно было правительством с достаточной властью над действительными и злободневными проблемами, и без балласта ненужных программ, и соответственно без неоправданных налоговых тягот для граждан и бизнесов. Но как это сделать, чтобы все (или хотя бы большинство) были довольны?
Приведу пример. Мой город содержит дюжину снегоуборочных траков, и имеет персонал, тренерованый в управлении этими машинами. Когда-то давно, когда город был ещё маленький, этих траков и людей вполне было достаточно для поддержания порядка в городе в редких случаях серьёзных заносов или гололёдов. Со временем город разросся на десятки миль, и начал нанимать в кризисные моменты частников-контракторов. Когда-то городской служащий на городском траке выезжал на объект, чистил его, и был таков за пару часов. Теперь на десятки объектов выезжают десятки контракторов, и елозят по ним до утра. Потому что им платят почасово, и платят невпример больше, чем своим служащим. Более того, теперь вместе с контракторами на участки выезжают городские инспекторы - следить за временем и качеством уборки контракторов, и из-за бесконечных звонков граждан, недовольных сугробами у обочин, шумом работ среди ночи, лаем перепуганных собак и мяуканием перепуганных кошек.
Одним из решений проблемы было бы перестать чистить снег вообще, несколько сократив налоги. Возможно это даже стимулировало бы торговлю монстро-образными SUV. Но если серьёзно, то прошлой зимой с моей улицы народ не смог бы выехать дальше своего гаража втечение пары недель заносов.
Вот и дилема: иметь свой собственный штат, достаточный для большинства ситуаций, и оплачиваемый посредственно, или прибегать к помощи $200/час контракторов и всё равно высылать своих людей вместе с ними?
Кстати, в начале нынешнего года мениципалитет всё-таки сократил дюжину персонала, включая Maintenance.

Прекрасный пример. Одна проблема. От этого контракта несет за версту kickbacks, nepotism, corruption и бог весть знает чем еще. Нормальный контракт заключал бы в себе сумму за которую компания должна в течении года убирать все без исключения улицы, *без учета часов, машин, и инспекций. Если город получит более десяти проверенных жалоб на неубранные улицы от жителей, контракт отбирается. И, поверьте, если за этот контракт будут биться на открытом аукционе (что случается нечасто), то желающих найдется достаточно, и до цены они доторгуются приемлемой.
А так, Ваш пример и есть пример неэффективности муниципалитета, те же яйца, только в профиль. Просто вместо неэффективного городского сервиса, с почасовой оплатой, овертаймами и армией дармоедов-инспекторов, то же самое было было представлено в форме найма частников-контрактников.

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Сергей,
The small companies can hardly compete anymore - be it prices for consumers, salaries or benefits for employees.
Not true, not true at all. Small and midsize American companies cannot compete, nor was it ever a goal, in ширпотреб, mass-produced, dollar-store junk, walmart, buy-one-get-one-free type markets. Decades ago we had junk from Japan and now we have junk from China. So Oleg is right, nothing really changed.
Different players, same game.
America prospered in the past and will prosper again because of its ability to invent new and improve existing products and services. And no one does this better then small or mid-size company. *A hungry, but determined guy with idea. US is packed with companies that make high cost (relatively) small volume product. Anything from sensors, to turbines, to airplanes. Whatever is made in hundreds or thousands is made here, whatever is made in millions is made overseas. Makes perfect business sense.
But in order for hungry guy with idea to strive, he has to be able to invest and expand. Invest in help (people), material, experiments, etc. And if government cannot help small guy (read small/midsize company) to invest, very least they can do is get the hell out of the way and stop chocking him with numerous laws, restrictions and regulations. *
Like Oleg said - you make a business atmosphere more attractive
I care less if company that makes $5 products moves to China. It's likely a low profit margin operation and offers a louzy pay. *I want companies that make cars, airplanes, medical devises, etc and its components (suppliers) to be here.
Like Oleg said - you make a business atmosphere more attractive

Сергей,
1. или прибегать к помощи $200/час контракторов и всё равно высылать своих людей вместе с ними? - How about you stop paying them $200 and pay them $50 instead. Do you think they not gonna show up for $50/hr. Do you think the guy with plow truck can do better somewhere else? And after reading your post of 22:08 my next question is - see # 2
2. Are you sure your are not a republican?

Here is another "Просто о политике" тема для обсуждения:
Alvin Greene - Democratic party nominee for US Senate from South Carolina.
Few things about Greene:
Unemployed
Dishonorably discharged from Army
Under investigation for s ex-type crime (showing p orn to minor)
Lives with his father
Can barely say two words in front of a camera
Somehow gathered enough money ($10K) to put his name on the ballot
Well known facts about him way before the election.
Receives 28% of votes during the election this Thursday. That's 28%, not 28 people.
Over 100,000 people voted for him during June's primary although this guy didn't even have enough money for advertising or yard signs. Nor was he ever in public office or famous in any way.
Oh, did I mention he is african-american?
So, if this is not voting along the party line and for specific skin color then what is?
Too bad this guy lost the election. I would love to see him representing democrats in senate

Alan Green is an idiot... We are not going to miss him. But I am going to miss Feingold...Oleg- impressive list, agree, it could be just as effective if it's 1/3 of it's length. As far as small businesses based on innovation - totally agree with Slavik's post, they are indeed the future of America. And then small businesses should employ all those folks who will be unemployed after duplicated government agencies will get consolidated:-D ( no, thank you :-D ). OK, I am still trying to figure out what other constructive steps could be taken to close 700B budget gap that will account for continuing Bush level of taxes on the top 2%? We agreed on consolidating duplicating government services and agencies, this is good. ( btw, from what I understand , during Bush era government spending rose greatly despite conservative rhetoric about smaller government - and we have numbers to prove this). Anything else practically doable?

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Happy New Year to all! Virtual hugs!

Прекрасный пример. Одна проблема. От этого контракта несет за версту kickbacks, nepotism, corruption и бог весть знает чем еще. Not true. It is a real life story. My wife, who works for the Public Works Dept of this municipality, and who is one of the leading participants of the "snow cleaning" program, told me this story. There is no kickbacks or nepotism. I know personally all these people. And I don't get my share of "hound puppies". I also can confirm that City's Maintenace Dept certainly knows most of their regular contractors. So, I guess if you look at this upside down or inside out, you can call it a "nepotism". On the other hand, do you know the real cost of plowing snow? Huge and very expensive diesel hogs, with big knives, expensive licensure, self-employment tax, and not a full-time deal. How much do you think the market rate should be? Do you think they will work for $50? Do you think City didn't try? Before firing own personnel because of lack of funding?

Славик Сажко, I totally share your sentiment regarding small businesses. I am the one. The problem is - I'm pretty convinced in what I said about not being able to compete with big outsourcing corporations. And not only from my own experience. Right now I'm on the middle of negotiations with another SMB. Very small. Guess what they do? Yes, whaever they do - they do it in China! The same with my previous customer. My other potential customer is up his nose in India. And by the way, I am struggling now, but not from overreach of the Government, but from the tenfold reduction in the number of contracts. Any guess where did they come from before? Correct, from the big companies, which now subcontract to elsewhere but the US SMBs.
So I'm enthusiastically with you on small businesses being bread and butter and rock of the US economy, on innovations and ingenuity, on ideas and inventions, and blah, blah, blah. In real world however it's not always as it's written on political signs and banners.