Sheldon Silver

Cuomo says Lopez should be expelled, stops short of criticizing Speaker Silver

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:09:19 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling on Assemblyman Vito Lopez, the subject of a scathing ethics commission report on sexual harassment, to resign from office or be expelled.

Lopez report details disturbing allegations of sexual harassment

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:58:34 +0000

The Legislative Ethics Commission released its report on the sexual harassment allegations against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. It’s conclusions have New York City’s National Organization for Women calling for a vote of no confidence against the still-serving assemblyman, and the Republicans calling for Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver to resign.

Assembly, attorney general, press for early voting

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 01 May 2013 12:24:00 +0000

The state’s attorney general and Assembly speaker have proposed an early voting system for New York that they say can improve voter participation and democracy.

State GOP leader not happy with potential abortion law reform

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:57:31 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo wants to update New York’s antiquated abortion laws to reflect rights affirmed in the landmark Roe v. Wade decision. But Senate GOP leader Dean Skelos says it goes to far.

Cuomo, Assembly Democrats roll out reform ideas

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:10:21 +0000

At the New York State Capitol, lawmakers are scrambling to put forward plans to react to the recent twin corruption scandals involving bribery charges against a state Senator and Assemblyman. On Tuesday, it was the Assembly Democrats’ turn to weigh in. Gov. Andrew Cuomo also rolled out two more components of his own reform plan.

This year's state budget negotiations follow closed-door tradition

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 15:02:16 +0000

It's known as the “three men in a room” style of decision making. For decades now, the governor and the two party's legislative leaders meet behind closed doors in the governor’s offices and decide key issues, like the contents of the state budget.

Assembly Speaker says changes to 10-bullet magazine limit in gun law under discussion

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:59:53 +0000

The governor and legislative leaders are talking about amendments to the state’s new gun control laws. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver raised the possibility that a ban on 10 bullet magazines might be reversed, but Gov. Andrew Cuomo says that’s not the case.

State Assembly proposes to ban fracking for another year

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 13:58:04 +0000

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is one of the sponsors of a bill to ban fracking in New York state at least until May of next year.

Ethics panel report remains secret

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 11:57:43 +0000

A government reform group is calling for a state ethics panel report to be made public, one day after the panel investigating charges against Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D-Brooklyn) sent a report to the legislative ethics committee.

Assembly Speaker Silver waiting for comptroller's view of pension plan

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:31:32 +0000

Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s pension stabilization plan could face some obstacles in the legislature. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he wants to know what the state comptroller thinks of the idea first.

Gun control talks on-going in Albany

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 09 Jan 2013 14:03:33 +0000

Talks on gun control proposals between Governor Andrew Cuomo and the legislature continued Tuesday night, on the eve of the governor’s annual State of the State speech.

Impasse between Cuomo and state Senate on gun measures

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 06:31:00 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo and Republicans in the Senate remain at an impasse over gun control legislation -- just days before the governor's State of the State address. Meanwhile, the state comptroller says he’s thinking of divesting the state’s pension fund from investments in gun manufacturers.

State ethics board impeded by secrecy rules

Karen Dewitt — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 12:01:00 +0000

New York state’s ethics board is coming under criticism as it launches an investigation that is believed to focus on a sexual harassment scandal in the Assembly. The secrecy rules imposed in the laws governing the commission are causing some unanticipated problems.

Ethics panel launches probe

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 11 Sep 2012 11:04:31 +0000

A unanimous state ethics board appears to launch a full investigation into the Assembly’s sexual harassment scandal. The vote followed an acrimonious meeting, where commissioners appointed by the Assemblys peaker demanded a public discussion of the deliberations, and called the governor’s threats to open his own investigation “coercive.”

NY GOP use Democrats' words against them

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 17:06:55 +0000

The New York State Republican Party is turning a familiar Democratic Party accusation back against the Assembly Democrats, who are involved in a sexual harassment scandal.

JCOPE meets; won't confirm investigation

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 13:02:56 +0000

The state ethics board held a closed door meeting Tuesday. The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE, is believed to be discussing whether to investigate Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez, and possibly the Assembly Speaker, over a sexual harassment scandal.

Ethics panel calls special meeting

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 31 Aug 2012 14:09:07 +0000

The state’s ethics board has called a special meeting immediately after Labor Day. The news comes after Governor Andrew Cuomo and others have called for an investigation of a sexual harassment scandal in the State Assembly.

Assembly Speaker Silver says he welcomes ethics probe

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 30 Aug 2012 13:06:16 +0000

A rare apology from one of New York’s most powerful Democratic leaders regarding a payout to alleged victims of sexual harassment is raising even more questions at the state Capitol. Meanwhile, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he welcomes an impending ethics probe.

Fight over minimum wage continues

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 24 May 2012 15:26:32 +0000

For weeks, there’s been a stalemate in Albany over the issue of raising the state’s minimum wage, with Assembly Democrats backing the idea, Senate Republicans opposing it, and Governor Andrew Cuomo remaining neutral in the middle.

Cuomo says he generally backs the measure, but feels that the GOP can’t be convinced.

Lawmakers agree to change September 11th primary date

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 16 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

The state’s September primary is going to be delayed by two days, now that the legislature has agreed to move the date from Tuesday, September 11 to Thursday, September 13.

Assembly, Senate leaders disagree over moral high ground on minimum wage bill

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:35:00 +0000

Democrats in the State Assembly approved a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage.

The Republican leader of the State Senate offered a spirited defense of his position opposing the measure, but did not rule the issue out altogether.

Democrats in the Assembly approved a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 an hour. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, who has championed the measure, calls it a “moral imperative”.

“It is, I keep saying it, a moral issue,” said Silver.

Assembly Speaker offers support to education lobbyists, criticizes Gov. Cuomo

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:27:06 +0000

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver offered his support to lobbyists for more school aid funding, and offered a subtle criticism to Governor Andrew Cuomo.

State Legislature spends first day of session working on bi-partisan bill

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:45:31 +0000

The New York State legislature, on its first official day of business, acted in a show of bi- partisanship, to divest the state of investments in Iran, but Democrats and Republicans in the Senate continue to argue over redistricting.

Gov. Cuomo, Legislative leaders agree to higher taxes on the rich, lower taxes for middle class

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:12:35 +0000

Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders have announced a deal to raise taxes on the rich, and slightly lower taxes for the middle class.

Governor's office delays mid-year budget report

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 15:16:32 +0000

Governor Cuomo’s budget office has delayed releasing its mid-year budget report and future financial forecast, citing uncertainties over the European debt crisis and delays in collection of some business taxes, due to two hurricanes that hit the state in late summer.

State Assembly Speaker says Millionaire's tax still possible

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:52:33 +0000

Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a supporter of extending the tax on millionaires, says he believes his side can “ultimately” prevail.