Q. Is it against the law to hire a contractor who doesn’t have a state license? A. It is not against the law, but it is risky. An unlicensed operator doesn’t carry workers’ compensation insurance, ...

In Albany County, a new local law protects you against consuming trans fats in a bakery cupcake. But if you're ripped off by a shady home improvement contractor, good luck. You're pretty much on your ...

Is contractor licensing a good thing for the public or just a restriction on the number of contractors? When I started writing for this publication about 10 years ago, I agreed to leave the political ...