Category Archives: Business Reports

By Nicholas A. Marricco, Esq. 

As New York Gov. Kathy Hochul continues to lay out proposals in her Fiscal Year 2026 budget, she recently announced a proposal to reduce what Governor calls “distracted learning” in classrooms across New York State. 

The Governor proposes that districts ban smartphones and smartwatches on school grounds. There are exceptions for the use of devices to manage a medical condition, language translation, specific educational purposes, and the use of devices as part of a child’s IEP or 504 plan. The plan, according to current reporting, is expected to pass both the Senate and Assembly. The law would only apply to public school districts, charter schools, and BOCES schools. Private schools and higher education institutions are not covered by the law. 

The Governor’s proposed smartphone ban would prohibit unsanctioned use of smartphones and other internet-enabled personal devices on school grounds in K-12 schools for the entire school day. Districts will be the ones to create their own plans for storing smartphones and other devices. 

The Governor’s proposal includes $13.5 million in funding for schools who need to purchase storage solutions. While the Governor’s proposal requires that schools provide parents a way to contact their children during the day when necessary, it is currently unclear how Districts will ensure that is possible. 

Over the next few months, parents can attend their district’s board of education meetings to request information from their board on how the board intends to apply the Governor’s smartphone ban. Parents can also request information from their superintendent. Parents are also encouraged to attend Board meetings to voice their concern on their District’s plan to allow Parents to contact their children during the school day. 

By Renee A. Walrath

Goal setting is crucial in 2025, as it helps individuals and organizations navigate an increasingly fast-paced, complex, and interconnected world. Here are several reasons why goal setting is especially important in 2025:

The world in 2025 is marked by rapid technological advancements, such as AI, automation, and Web3, as well as global challenges like climate change and geopolitical shifts. Setting goals With AI, robotics, and renewable energy innovations, staying competitive requires clear objectives to adapt and upskill. Goal setting ensures you’re not just reacting to change but The sheer volume of distractions, from social media to endless information streams, can derail focus. Setting specific, measurable, and time-bound goals (SMART goals) helps individuals and People increasingly prioritize personal well-being, mental health, and life balance. Goals aligned with values and passions promote self-improvement and a sense of purpose, helping individuals lead more fulfilling lives.

With sustainability being a key focus in 2025, goal setting allows individuals and businesses to take actionable steps toward reducing carbon footprints and conserving resources. The post-pandemic world and ongoing global uncertainties have underscored the importance of resilience. Setting goals fosters a growth mindset, encouraging people to overcome setbacks and keep moving forward.

Organizations and individuals must innovate to stay relevant in a competitive global economy. Goal setting fosters a culture of creativity encourages pushing boundaries to achieve Goals and provides benchmarks for tracking progress. This helps people and organizations stay accountable, adjust strategies, and celebrate achievements, boosting motivation and morale.

Collaborative goal-setting fosters teamwork and collective problem-solving. In 2025, when global challenges require shared solutions, setting goals together can unite communities and organizations around common purposes.

By Renee A. Walrath

Measuring and understanding employee well-being is becoming a vital way to attract and retain top talent. Seven out of ten employees place a high value on mental health care and the support they are offered by their employers. There is no longer a belief that your work life and personal lives do not intersect. Work challenges or struggles are frequently brought home, with employees stating that their mental well-being at work is negatively impacting their personal lives. Additionally, over 80% of U.S. workers surveyed by the American Psychological Association stated that a perspective employers’ approach to mental well-being will be “an important consideration” when job hunting. Employers must take an all-inclusive approach, when adapting to new policies and procedures, toward both prospective and existing employees.

More now than ever, relationship building is an important part of creating a positive work culture. One thing that can set your company apart from others is taking the time to get to know your potential employees, discovering their needs, and connecting with them on a human level.

By Matthew Burnell

As we approach the 2024 presidential elections many people are wondering will this election have a major impact on the economy and markets? You may have heard the expression: Don’t let how you feel about politics overrule how you think about investing. According to the Pew Research Center, they ran a study asking subjects to rate economic conditions as good or excellent over time. It was no surprise that Republicans rated economic conditions more favorably when a Republican was President and Democrats rated the economic conditions more favorably when there was a Democrat as president.

Looking at just the last four presidents and the S&P 500 performance, during President Obama’s eight-year term the S&P returned 16.3% and President Trump’s term the S&P returned 16%. President Biden’s term through August of this year the S&P 500 had returned 12.5% and going back to 2001, President Bush’s term saw S&P 500 returns at -4.5% over that period. President Bush began his term during the dot com bubble and ended during the subprime mortgage crisis. Coming out of this crisis President’s Obama and Trump were in charge during a historically postive market run, while as President Biden stepped into office during the Covid pandemic. So, there were certainly some large economic factors that greatly affect the Stock market regardless of which party was in power.

Regardless of who the winning party is, crucial to a president’s success in implementing their agenda is the configuration of Congress, comprised of the Senate and House of Representatives. In the long run, it is policy, which matters more for the economy and markets. It is often the case that rhetoric about policy differs from actual policy implemented once elected.

Monetary policy, fiscal policy, economic growth, labor markets, and corporate profits are likely better areas to focus on when thinking of market performance. Focusing on two areas, Fiscal and Monetary policy are likely key agenda items for both parties.

By Renee Walrath

Have you ever had an office lunch, enjoying the conversations around you, while not having a clue what your coworkers are talking about? This is more than likely caused by the generational shift in our workforce. 2024 marks a landmark year where four generations are in the workforce simultaneously, what is more, baby boomers will become outnumbered by millennials and Gen Z. What does that mean for companies moving forward? Quite simply, businesses need to start embracing change and evolving with the workforce. This article explores these generational differences and strategies for a cohesive workforce.

What best motivates workers from each generation?

Baby Boomers – make up 25% of the workforce – are generally motivated by duty and company loyalty. They are often described as workaholics, with their professional achievements defining them. Gen X – makes up 33% of the workforce – often defined as the work hard, play hard generation. They prioritize their personal or professional interests over their companies, working to live not living to work. Millennials currently make up the majority of the workforce at 35%. They are often considered job hoppers of the generations because they have no problem leaving a role that does not align with their values. Gen Z – make up 5% of the workforce – is often seen as the lazy generation because they do not want their job to be what defines them. Both Millennials and Gen Z are motivated by diversity & inclusion, and seek companies aligned with their values, generally having the least regard for salary.

How does each generation approach their work style?

Different generations have different methods of getting the job done. Boomers are very career-centric and goal-oriented. They derive from the mindset that working long hours is how to get ahead. On the other hand, Gen X and Millennials strive for a better work-life balance. Both generations seek more flexibility and remote or hybrid options. Gen Z is more entrepreneurial and emphasizes the expression of individuality and creativity.

By Karla Williams Buettner 

Forty years ago, two theater lovers named Jonathan Foster and Susan Miller founded a company that, ever since, has been committed to presenting affordable theater in Saratoga Springs. Over the past four decades, that group – Home Made Theater — made a name for itself, not only in the Spa City, but in the Capitol Region and beyond. How? By producing quality community theater, but with a professional edge.

Because we’ve used locally sourced actors and hundreds of volunteers, both behind the scenes and backstage, our shows have made all involved feel like part of a family. That doesn’t always happen in community theater. Often, the people involved in these types of productions become friendly for two to three months and then lose contact with one another. Home Made Theater is different.

Our family ties have bound us to do the same thing that Mr. Foster and Ms. Miller intended for Home Made Theater, namely, presenting quality theater at affordable prices. Over the past 40 years, Home Made Theater has produced over 175 plays and musicals, including regional premieres, and has held performances at Caffe Lena, the Spa Little Theater at Saratoga State Park, the Dee Sarno Theater at Saratoga Arts, the Saratoga Music Hall and The Mansion Inn, among others. It has afforded hundreds of young actors the chance to gain experience through its highly successful and well-regarded Youth Conservatory and Summer Camp. We have also offered plenty of youngsters the chance to see live theater via our school field trip programs.