David Paterson

The state Public Integrity Commission fined him more than $62,000 for accepting five free tickets to the 2009 World Series opener at Yankee Stadium. It's the latest chapter in the long and dubious history of politicians getting wooed at sports events.

Just in time for Labor Day, domestic workers in New York state got a gift of sorts -- a workers' bill of rights, which Gov. David Paterson signed into law last week. The measure guarantees nannies, housekeepers and care providers to the elderly are paid overtime, get time off and are protected against sexual harassment.

Soda is the latest target of sin taxes, and New York City is at the forefront, but a recent study says soda consumers there are more than twice as likely to be low-income and almost three times as likely to be minorities. A regressive soda tax falls more heavily on the heads of New York's poor.

As it did generations ago, it looks like once again New York will lead the nation back to more socially progressive - -and, arguably, sustainable and effective -- public policies. The Empire State, not seeing fit to await further developments on the national stage, agreed this weekend to pass an...