Politics and Government

Doctors in central New York are reacting to the Supreme Court decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act. They are generally pleased with the decision -- although there are some concerns.

The just concluded 2012 legislative session brought mixed results for Governor Andrew Cuomo, who is in his second year as governor.  While Cuomo and lawmakers could claim credit for a calm and functional end to the session,  the governor had to drop some of his original goals  in order for that to happen.

Cuomo’s second legislative session was far less dramatic than his first legislative session in 2011, when he convinced the legislature to authorize same sex marriage, instate a two percent property tax cap, and close a massive $10 billion budget deficit.

In his second session, the governor’s record of achieving his stated goals was not as complete.

There are a number of primary elections today for federal posts, including for Congress and the U.S. Senate, but turnout is expected to be very low.

Local immigration reform advocates are pushing for comprehensive immigration reform. One of the loudest voices comes from a man who is in this country illegally.

Aly Wane was born in Senegal in 1976 and, because of a family dispute, came to live in this country in 1984. He went on to high school and college, but because of his family situation he was never naturalized.

Tomorrow is Congressional primary day in New York. In the newly redrawn 22nd district, which runs from the Mohawk Valley, south through Cortland to Binghamton, Republican incumbent Richard Hanna is running for re-election. He's facing a primary opponent, fellow Republican Michael Kicinski.

The state legislature ended their 2012 session Thursday evening as lawmakers had promised, but they did not manage to finish everything on their list before they left.

June 26 is Congressional primary day in New York. In the newly redrawn 21st district in Northern New York,  Republican Kellie Greene is running against Matt Doheny. The winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Congressman Bill Owens in November. Doheny lost a close race to Owens two years ago. This year Greene hopes to get the chance to take on Owens.  Greene spoke with WRVO's Catherine Loper.

June 26  is Congressional primary day in New York.  In the newly redrawn 21st district in northern New York.  Republican Matt Doheny is running against Kellie Greene. The winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Bill Owens in November. Doheny lost a close race to Owens two years ago, and he's back for another run this year. Doheny recently he spoke with WRVO's Catherine Loper.

New York's fiscal watchdog wants lawmakers to give his office more power  over economic development organizations that he says are being misused in some cases, by local governments in New York state. Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli has his eye on Local Development Corporations.

Local governments continue struggling in the wake of the recession. At a Local Government Leadership Institute meeting in Syracuse Wednesday, officials looked for answers to  some of the problems they still face following the Wall Street meltdown.

The legislative session that’s concluding in Albany seems to be more about what’s not getting done than what is getting accomplished. Agreements were not reached on several key issues.

Governor Andrew Cuomo at this time last year was intensely lobbying lawmakers to pass a bill to legalize gay marriage. This year, he has taken a more hands-off approach to the end of the current legislative session.

A bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana appears dead for the legislative session, now that Republicans in the Senate say they won’t be acting on the bill.

Governor Andrew Cuomo says it’s “highly unlikely” that his bill to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana will be taken up by the Senate before the legislative session ends on Thursday, and Senate Leader Dean Skelos confirms that.

Governor Andrew Cuomo is telling the legislature to "take it or leave it" over a new bill he’s released outlining how to make teacher evaluations public.

Cuomo says he introduced  legislation on the publication of teacher evaluations just before his own self-imposed deadline of midnight Monday in order to clarify his position on the issue.  He says it’s up to the Assembly and Senate whether they want to pass it, exactly as is, or not.

“That’s the bill, the bill is not going to change,” said Cuomo. “They act on it or they don’t. But there’s not going to be changes and discussions at this time.”

While visiting Syracuse today to promote a new bill to help small businesses, US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand rebuffed the criticisms of her opponents that she has moved further to the left since taking office.

"I have the exact same values as I’ve always had, and that’s fighting for New Yorkers, fighting for small businesses, and helping get this economy back on track," said Gillibrand.

US Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was in Syracuse today at a local business promoting tax breaks for small businesses. The bill is particularly directed at companies owned by women.