Rochester Business Journal Leading source of business news and information in Rochester, N.Y.

It has been called the incredible shrinking deficit, and this week its projected size plunged again--to the smallest gap since 2008.

A willingness to speak plainly about hard facts is necessary but not sufficient to lead the city. The ability to plan for the future and get things done is essential, too.

There's reason to be disappointed with the property tax cap. But let's resist the temptation to write it off as a mistake or failure.

The region's performance probably was neither as strong as it appeared then nor as weak as it seemed this past winter.

To many people, immigration reform is a moral issue. Others, including most employers, see it in economic terms.

Votersshould do their part by refusing to re-elect anyone who clearly has violated the public trust.

Once upon a time, some people had the quaint notion that online sales needed protection from taxation. That's when e-commerce was in its infancy.

In too many ways, the 2013-14 state budget deal backs misguided priorities.

After years of decline, the heart of the Rochester-Finger Lakes region is beating noticeably stronger these days.

 The Rochester area faces economic challenges, to be sure, but they should not be overestimated.

Despite its challenges, Rochester is, as the mayor notes, a vibrant city-one making considerable strides in its revitalization efforts.

Doing what's right for the country will require political courage, and voters should reward such courage.

Public-sector downsizing is a sizable factor in the slow job-market recovery. The sequester would double down on that trend.

While the prospects of the Paid Sick Leave Act are uncertain, the business community has the means to call on all employers to act voluntarily.

Immigrants' share of U.S. business startups is more than twice their portion of the nation's population.