New York State Assembly

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.

Senate leader says he won't repeat mistakes made when passing gun control laws

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:10:51 +0000

The leader of the New York State Senate Republicans says he regrets the way gun control legislation was rapidly approved earlier this year, and he hopes what he now says was a mistake won't be repeated at the end of the session.

Assembly hearing on fracking paints a dark picture

Matt Richmond — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 17:53:58 +0000

Public commenting on the state’s revised hydrofracking regulations closed on Friday. Final regulations are due to be released at the end of February. The Democratic-controlled state assembly held a public hearing on Thursday that included some heated exchanges.

Should Thruway Authority merge with transportation department?

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 03 Dec 2012 14:00:15 +0000

The leader of the New York state Assembly Republicans is proposing to do away with the state’s Thruway Authority and merge it into the state Department of Transportation, in an attempt to avoid excessive toll hikes.

Incumbents real winners in NY legislative elections

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 06:37:00 +0000

The vast majority of incumbent state legislators were re-elected Tuesday night, upholding a decades-long Albany tradition.

Stirpe reclaims Assembly seat from Miller

Ryan Delaney — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 15:17:39 +0000

Democrat Al Stirpe is once again a New York State Assemblyman after defeating Republican Don Miller for a seat that was once Stirpe's.

Al Stirpe & Don Miller compete for Assembly again

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 12:04:38 +0000

Everyone who votes on Tuesday in New York state will choose who will represent them in the state Assembly and Senate. Very few of those races are truly competitive, with many incumbents running unopposed or against candidates who have no chance of winning. The exception in central New York is the race for the newly created 127th Assembly district.. which is a rematch of a very close race two years ago.

Patty Ritchie on cost of housing state parole violators in county jails

Joanna Richards — Tue, 16 Oct 2012 14:12:22 +0000

Right now, county jails – and ultimately, local property taxpayers – are footing the bill for housing state parole violators while they wait for the state to pick them up. State Senator Patty Ritchie (R-Heuvelton) has proposed a solution to the problem.

Don Miller on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 18:41:08 +0000

In his first term in the State Assembly, Republican Don Miller has been an outspoken and sometimes controversial crusader against taxes and spending in Albany, to the point of voting against his own party leadership.

Assembly holds hearing on Thruway Toll Hike Plan

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:01:13 +0000

The first of two Assembly hearings on the New York State Thruway Authority’s proposed truck toll increase was held in Albany Wednesday.

Several Assembly Republicans, who are in the minority party in that house, held a hearing on the 45 percent toll increase for trucks proposed by the Cuomo administration’s Thruway Authority.

Business Council says NY legislators more business friendly

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 22 Aug 2012 13:14:51 +0000

The Business Council of New York released its annual report card of the state's legislators, and the group gave New York Senate Republicans high marks for approving a pro-business agenda.

State assemblymen push for legislation to help apple growers

Dave Lucas — Fri, 17 Aug 2012 20:55:45 +0000

The cherished autumn tradition of apple picking is off to an early start in the Northeast as growers deal with aftershocks from bizarre spring weather that took a toll on fruit crops.

Republican John Sharon will run again for state Assembly

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 23 Jul 2012 19:16:00 +0000

John Sharon thinks a one-on-one race will give him a better shot at winning a seat in the New York State Assembly.

Two years ago, Sharon was one of four candidates vying for the 119th Assembly District. Democrat Sam Roberts emerged the winner.

But this year Sharon, a Republican, will try again -- though in a slightly different district. After redistricting, the 119th has become the 128th, but still encompasses the eastern part of Syracuse and its eastern suburbs. That includes Dewitt, where Sharon lives.

Biotech sector wants help from Albany

Daniel Robison — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 12:50:43 +0000

Although New York's legislative session wrapped up in June, angling for new public policy hasn't ceased.

Recently, the Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) tried to regain traction for its agenda by re-releasing a report from May.

State legislature approves historically low number of bills

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:05:27 +0000

According to an analysis by the New York Public Interest Research Group, the 2012 session resulted in 571 pieces of legislation approved by both houses of the New York state legislature.

Eight session days left, many issues unresolved

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 12 Jun 2012 13:25:19 +0000

New York state lawmakers plan on leaving Albany for the summer on June 21, but they continue to be gridlocked on the issues of raising the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $8.50 an hour, and offering tax breaks to small businesses as an incentive to create more jobs.

Assembly introduces public campaign financing bill

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 14:00:34 +0000

The State Assembly has introduced a bill to permit voluntary public financing of some election campaigns for the first time in New York State.