The Post-Standard Editorial Board
October 23, 2010

1. Syracuse’s Howie Hawkins, the Green Party candidate for governor, is making his 18th run for public office. Which statement about Hawkins is true?
a.) He is the only union member running for governor.
b.) He has a “Green New Deal” plan that would provide full employment.
c.) He had to buy a suit for Monday’s gubernatorial debate.
d.) All of the above.

2. The town of Clay, seeking to let a contract for trash collection, rejected the lowest bid from Bristol Enterprises, based in Lee Center, Oneida County. Why was the low bid rejected?
a.) The company is 40 miles from Clay, leading to wear and tear on the trucks.
b.) You get what you pay for.
c.) People in Clay aren’t paying enough taxes.
d.) Garbage in, garbage out.

3. National Grid USA President Tom King told the State Senate’s Energy and Telecommunications Committee Tuesday that he was “deeply disappointed” the utility included inappropriate costs in its request for a $400 million electric rate increase. What were they?
a.) $35,700 for executives to send two elementary school-age children to private schools.
b.) $1,254 to ship another executive’s wine collection from company headquarters in Britain to the United States.
c.) $63,000 in vacation or travel expenses.
d.) All of the above.

4. The town of DeWitt is putting a new roof and solar panels on its town hall to reduce energy costs. How much in state grant money will the town spend on the solar panels to save $12,000 a year?
a.) $12,000.
b.) $280,000.
c.) $130,000
d.) Nothing. The panels are free.

5. Ann Marie Buerkle,the Republican challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Maffei, D-DeWitt, made a campaign stop Thursday at a senior living complex in the town of Onondaga. What other famous Republican did she bring along?
a.) George W. Bush
b.) George Shultz.
c.) George Pataki.
d.) George Voinovich.

6. Onondaga CountyExecutive Joanie Mahoney largely carried the day in her budget battle with the Onondaga County Legislature. But it may be a Pyrrhic victory. Why?
a.) While 245,000 county residents will see decreases in their county property taxes next year, 210,000 suburban residents will see their county taxes rise.
b.) Republicans are mad at Mahoney for opposing their budget ideas.
c.) They’re even madder she went against her party to endorse Democrat Andrew Cuomo for governor.
d.) All of the above.

Answers:
1. d
2. a
3. d
4. b
5. c
6. d
7. True.