New York state legislature

Cuomo's agenda in danger as session wanes

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 13:27:30 +0000

There’s three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in a women’s equality act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures. Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

As the session winds down, it seems that two of the governor’s top agenda items are doomed in the state Senate.

As end of legislative session looms, no deals yet

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 13:24:31 +0000

There are only four days left in the legislative session, and so far no agreements have been reached between Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature on major issues like campaign finance reform or a women’s equality act.

Cuomo campaigns across state for agenda with one week to go in legislative session

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:58:54 +0000

It’s getting down to the wire for major pieces of legislation as the end of session approaches in Albany, including women’s rights and campaign finance reform. There are no agreements yet, but that’s not unusual in a government that operates on last-minute deals.

DeFrancisco: Cuomo's abortion rights provision a "non-starter"

Karen Dewitt and Ryan Delaney — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 15:37:57 +0000

A top Senate Republican says Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s abortion rights provision in a women’s equality bill stands little chance of passage in the chamber.

Senate Finance Committee Chair John DeFrancisco, from Syracuse, is one of the leading members of the Senate GOP conference. He says it’s unlikely that his house will pass Governor Cuomo’s proposal to codify into New York law the abortion rights in the federal Roe v. Wade decision.

Women's groups targeting state Senate over abortion provision

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 10:01:00 +0000

Women’s groups are putting pressure on the state Senate’s ruling coalition to take up Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act, which includes an abortion rights provision.

Cuomo faces challenges in third legislative term

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 11:12:57 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet as the end of his third legislative session rapidly approaches. His poll numbers are falling, and his agenda is in danger.

When Cuomo began the session, back in early January, his poll numbers were soaring. His approval rating, following a fall that was spent cleaning up the damage from Hurricane Sandy, was at an almost unheard of 74 percent. A confident Cuomo embarked on an ambitious progressive leaning agenda.

Bill aims to increase number of 'green' homes built in state

Ashley Hassett — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 10:27:00 +0000

A bill passed in the State Senate aims to increase the number of green homes built in New York state.

The legislation would give municipalities the power to grant tax exemptions for green home construction in their district.

Proposed state legislation would double littering fines

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 03 Jun 2013 13:21:31 +0000

Fines for littering would double if a bill approved by the New York State Senate passes the Assembly. The idea is to crack down on the people who dump trash on the side of roads.

It poses driving hazards and costs a lot to remove. And Syracuse-area Sen. John DeFrancisco says litter that lines the highways just looks bad.

Questions over what will get done in last four weeks of session

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:59:43 +0000

The steady drumbeat of scandal after scandal in the New York State Legislature has led many to wonder whether lawmakers can focus on passing any major bills by the end of the session, which is fast approaching.

The legislature returns Wednesday and has just four work weeks to act on items ranging from campaign finance reform to abortion rights, to economic development plans.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo, before the legislature even returned from its Memorial Day break, gathered local government leaders from across the state to ask for help in passing a plan to create tax free zones for new businesses at college campuses.

State lawmakers carry on in face of scandal

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 14 May 2013 13:12:14 +0000

Lawmakers in Albany tried to continue business as usual in the wake of one of the worst scandals in recent decades, that has overshadowed most other news coming out of the Capitol. Much of this week’s legislative session has been canceled, but politicians who were in town insisted that their agendas are not being derailed.

Controversy over access overshadows state Senate hearing

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 08 May 2013 13:03:18 +0000

A hearing by state Senate Republicans on New York City’s public campaign financing system was overshadowed by protests, as government reform groups and other members of the public were denied entry, and noisy protests ensued.

Another state senator arrested

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 07 May 2013 12:44:45 +0000

Former Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson turned himself in to federal authorities Monday, after being accused in a nine-count indictment of embezzling nearly half a million dollars from mortgage foreclosure accounts, and then trying to cover it up.

Corruption still dominates discussion in Albany

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:32:00 +0000

Anti-corruption is the dominant topic at the New York state legislature for the second week in a row, following bribery charges against two state lawmakers, including a former Senate leader. A new poll finds 81 percent of voters expect more Senators and Assembly members will be arrested.

Corruption still dominates discussion in Albany

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 10:32:00 +0000

Anti-corruption is the dominant topic at the New York State Legislature for the second week in a row, following bribery charges against two state lawmakers, including a former Senate leader. A new poll finds 81 percent of voters expect more senators and Assembly members will be arrested.

Board of Elections reform discussed in Albany

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 09:52:00 +0000

Anti-corruption proposals are proliferating in Albany, following two high-profile bribery scandals. Some of them focus on the long-neglected New York State Board of Elections, which hasn’t even had an investigator on staff in over a year.

Small businesses push for further reform in New York state, including immigration

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 20:50:09 +0000

Small businesses from around the state took their concerns to legislators in Albany Wednesday. The message from leaders in the agricultural industry particularly highlighted the need for reforms to support small farms, and boost local economies upstate.

Poll finds New Yorkers want more action against corruption

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 10:31:00 +0000

A poll finds New Yorkers are upset about recent corruption scandals in Albany, and think that Gov. Andrew Cuomo should take the lead to clean things up.

State lawmakers return to confront scandals

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 13:06:32 +0000

New York state lawmakers returned to work after a two-week spring break. It’s their first meeting since two lawmakers have been charged with bribery in separate corruption scandals.

Reform groups say Cuomo's plan to empower DAs is a good first step

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:09:40 +0000

Government reform groups say they are pleased that Gov. Andrew Cuomo has now proposed step one in his plan to clean up corruption in state government, following two high profile arrests of state lawmakers.

Cuomo proposes empowering DAs to help fight political corruption

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 09:50:00 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state’s district attorneys are pushing for laws to make it easier to prosecute bribery and public corruption cases, in the wake of recent scandals in Albany.

Second state legislator accused of corruption

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 13:11:38 +0000

Two days after a state senator was arrested for trying to bribe his way onto the New York City mayoral ballot, a state assemblyman has been accused of accepting payments to sponsor legislation that would benefit developers of an adult day care center in the Bronx.

How the "innovation agenda" faired in the state budget

Ryan Delaney and Kate O'Connell — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:23:29 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo laid out an ambitious agenda around economic growth, innovation and clean energy in his proposed 2013-2014 Executive Budget.

New York state legislature passes budget

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 12:58:18 +0000

The state legislature is finished voting on a $141.3 billion state budget, with the Assembly completing it's work shortly before midnight on Thursday. The final passage occurred one week past lawmakers’ s self-imposed deadline, but three days before the spending plan was actually due to be finished.

Senate passes some budget bills, Assembly waits until Thursday

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 12:49:26 +0000

The New York State Senate held a rare Sunday session at the Capitol, in an attempt to get the state budget finished on time in the midst of major religious holidays.

Assmbly speaker says gun law provision could be postponed

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:05:00 +0000

The speaker of the New York State Assembly says a portion of New York’s gun control laws, scheduled to take effect April 15, may be postponed while talks continue on how to amend the provision.

State budget talks to go another day

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 13:12:47 +0000

New York state lawmakers are close to agreeing on a new spending plan that would include a deal to raise taxes on the wealthy and raise the minimum wage. They failed to seal a pact Monday night, but say they will be back Tuesday morning to try again.

Disabled lobby for funding restoration

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 13:11:10 +0000

One of the areas of disagreement in the state budget centers on funding for services for New York’s developmentally disabled people.

Senate co-leaders offer different accounts of minimum wage budget provision

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:14:10 +0000

The New York State Senate has included raising the state’s minimum wage in its one-house budget resolution. But that’s not necessarily a signal that a wage increase is moving forward in the state spending plan.

DeFrancisco thinks state lawmakers can deliver budget on time - again

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 13:42:06 +0000

The hearings are over; the New York State Assembly and Senate have put together their respective spending plans. Now this week, lawmakers in Albany get down to the details of hammering out a state budget that both chambers can agree on. Senate Finance Committee Chairman John DeFrancisco of Syracuse believes it can be done before the April 1 deadline.

Lawmakers seek ban of dangerous supplement

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 10:41:00 +0000

A push to ban the fitness supplement DMAA brought a sports hero and parents who say they lost their son to the substance to the state Capitol.