Came across hysterical illustrations of the influence of the laws of physics on our everyday lives in the New York Times (see Unpopular Science, ht VP).

For example, the author demonstrates how two objects might perceive time differently.

“Based on supercomplicated physical observations, Einstein concluded that two objects may perceive time differently. Based on simple life experience, I have concluded that this is true.”

There are many more where that came from. Check out the rest of the illustrations by clicking on the link – Unpopular Science.

Enjoy!

I was on Fox news the other day discussing the ways in which the costs of operating State prisons impact the New York State budget (click on the video below or see High Cost of Prison Workers).

I spent a fair amount of time discussing the issues, but very little of the material was used. However, I did echo the commissioner’s sentiment that the State is currently hamstrung by existing contracts with the unions representing State prison employees.

The practice of increasing overtime hours in the last three years of employment in order to goose one’s pension (which is based on a percentage of one’s pay in their final three years of employment) is not new. Nor is it limited to the Department of Corrections. The bad news for the State budget is that the practice is contractually protected by agreements put in place long ago between the various unions and the State.

Politicians, and those managing the various State agencies, have long been aware of this problem. In fact, the legislature recently approved sweeping changes to the pension system (creating a new Tier 5 employee system) that would limit this practice moving forward (see State Lawmakers Approve Deal to Fix Hyper Pension).

Overtime will no longer be included in the calculation of the last three year’s salary upon which employee pensions are based. This will be effective for all new State employees beginning in 2010.

Unfortunately, these changes won’t help the beleaguered New York State budget for some 20 years or so. In the meantime, the New York State budget remains in a fragile state…