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New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg's ambitious plans to prepare for climate change remind editorial writer Joe Dolman of past grand plans to develop parts of Manhattan. One thing that's critical to see this kind of vision through is the support of the city's influential real estate community. Bloomberg is proposing new coastal protections, zoning codes, developments, telecommunications planning...

The New York State Senate has a not-so-subtle message for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver: Time’s up.

The Senate passed a bill on Monday that would cap at 12 the number of years that a lawmaker could serve in a leadership post in the legislature.

Although there was no mention of Silver in this internal term-limits proposal, Senate members admit it was an obvious dig at the embattled...

The editorial board notes that Texas Gov. Rick Perry is trying to lure New York businesses to Texas, with the claim, among other things, that the tax structure is fairer there. We think Perry is overlooking some great things about New York – but we also believe that our state needs to reduce the cost and complication of doing business here.

We’re concerned about allegations that State Department...

The editorial board had a long debate over the National Security Agency’s systematic surveillance of people’s phone calls and online activity. Editorial writer Joe Dolman argued that surveillance is essential to prevent terrorist attacks. Board member Lane Filler, who is often at odds with Dolman on such issues, said we need to be wary of government intrusion into our privacy.

The board came...

The editorial board is surprised at revelations that the National Security Agency is collecting the phone records of private citizens through Verizon. The Obama administration’s apparent interpretation of the Patriot Act seems too broad a sweep.

Board member Alvin Bessent says he’s somewhat reassured that the NSA sought a warrant and is only looking at phone numbers, not the content of the...

In his bid for re-election, Rob Astorino didn't get the Westchester Independence Party's nomination for county executive. It went to Democrat Noam Bramson.

No big surprise there.

That party's boss, Giulio Cavallo, endorsed Astorino in 2009, but soon after became disenchanted with the Republican. Now, as Cavallo was doling out endorsements this week, he's saying that Astorino is too far...

The editorial board debated the wisdom of President Barack Obama appointing Susan Rice as his national security adviser. Rice is a political hot-button, given her involvement in issuing false information after the U.S. embassy attacks in Benghazi, Libya, last September 11.

“He’s doing something that seems to have a politically huge cost, and she’s not head and shoulders above everyone else”...

Editorial board member Jerry McKinstry is attending a meeting this morning with U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Maurice A. Jones. Jones is in Westchester to talk about the county’s obligations under the Fair and Affordable Housing Settlement. Integrating upscale neighborhoods with affordable homes is the issue, and Westchester appears to be a national test case...

Sen. Frank Lautenberg's death this morning presents New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie with both a political opportunity and a partisan dilemma.

Christie now has an opportunity to appoint a successor who would have the huge advantage of running for election in 2014 as an incumbent.

But does the Republican governor appoint a Democrat -- say Newark's popular Mayor Corey Booker -- and burnish...

The editorial board is concerned that Suffolk County pulled out of two anti-gang efforts, given that the two fatal shootings in Central Islip appear to have been gang-related. What were Suffolk County’s motives for disbanding the police department’s centralized gang unit, and for leaving the Long Island Gang Task Force? Was it money or policing strategy? We’re looking into this.

We’re confused...