Politics and Government

Congressional hopeful Dan Maffei has the support of one of the state's top democrats as he tries to unseat incumbent Republican Ann Marie Buerkle.

Profits on Wall Street are going to be up this year, according to a new report from the New York state comptroller, but are still below their pre-recession highs. The report also finds fewer job losses in the securities industry, and many economic uncertainties ahead.

The race for New York’s 24th congressional district seat is one of the most hotly contested and closely watched contests in the country. In an interview that took place on September 18th, Democratic challenger Dan Maffei -- the former holder of the seat who’s challenging Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle in a rematch -- looks back on his previous campaign.

On October 9, the Onondaga County Legislature will vote on its 2013 budget. The budget totals $1.24 billion, approximately two million dollars larger than last year. The controversy that surfaced at the budget’s public hearing Thursday evening was about ownership changes for Van Duyn Home and Hospital, the county’s nursing home.

A group of public health experts are questioning whether Governor Andrew Cuomo’s health officials can do a credible job reviewing a health study on hydrofracking, saying independent reviewers would be a better choice.

An environmental group, out with its annual voters’ guide, is grading state lawmakers harshly this year.

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Election 2012 News From NPR

Top state officials say it is going to be another difficult year for the state budget. Governor Andrew Cuomo has already told state agencies to keep spending flat, and those that depend on state programs are not counting on big increases.

The Cuomo administration has announced two developments that could delay the start of hydrofracking in New York, and is leaving supporters and opponents with many unanswered questions.

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.