The lovely wife and I got a nice surprise last Saturday. New York State sent us a check for just over $500. It is marked as part of the STAR program for property tax rebates but the explanation with the check also refers to income taxes paid.

I was surprised because I know that New York State is running a deficit of some $1.2 billion.

I wasn’t too surprised because I am very familiar with the corruption of the New York State legislature. These checks arrive about three weeks before the election. Does anyone find that curious? No, I didn’t think so.

Members of the State Assembly and Senate are nearly invulnerable to defeat at the polls. The Republicans control the Senate and the Democrats the Assembly. The only thing they can agree upon is sending out a bribe to the taxpayers three weeks before the election.

How can any responsible elected official justify sending out this rebate? It’s cost to New York State? About a billion dollars.