Albany Watch

• Jury breaks for holiday in Bruno trial

  Jon Campbell of the Gannett Albany Bureau had this to report from the Bruno trial today:    The first day of jury deliberations in the case against former Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno wrapped up without a verdict this evening, with deliberations set to continue Monday morning despite Judge Gary Sharpe’s [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 7:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Ethics panel settles with former state police head over Troopergate

    The state Commission on Public Integrity announced today that it has reached a settlement with former Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton over his role in the Troopergate scandal more than two years ago.    Aides to now-former Gov. Eliot Spitzer were found to have asked the State Police to [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 5:03pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov.’s revised proposal would cut education, health care less

     Gov. David Paterson’s deficit-reduction plan has been revised to cut less from education and health care and use federal stimulus money for education that had been set aside for next year, according to his Budget Division.    The original proposal would reduce school aid by $686 million this school year ($480 million for the state’s [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 2:17pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. wants executive power to close deficit

     Gov. David Paterson said in a Web announcement this morning that he is submitting legislation to lawmakers that would give him executive authority to make the reductions necessary to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap.    Paterson and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement with the [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 1:01pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• No budget deal as lawmakers begin third week of negotiations

     After originally saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and prepare legislation, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson ended the day Monday without an agreement on how to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    “I believe the best way to say it is we’ve had the same [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• IG recommends disciplining supervisors of “man cave” workers

     New York Inspector General Joseph Fisch is recommending that disciplinary action be taken against three supervisors in connection with the “man cave” in one of the state parking garages in Albany. Poor oversight by Office of General Services managers Thomas Casey, William Liston and Dennis Williams contributed to drug abuse and other [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 1:21pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno trial expected to finish up today

     Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s federal corruption trial is expected to wrap up today, and it will be up to the jury to decide his fate. Prosecutors charged he received more than $3 million from businesses in exchange for his political influence at the state Capitol between 1993 and 2006.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:33pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Budget deadlock not helping public opinion of lawmakers, gov.

     A Marist College poll released today found that 71 percent of voters think state government needs major changes, and 18 percent think daily operations at the Capitol need minor changes. Eleven percent believe state government is broken and beyond repair, according to the poll.    “Albany is not a good place [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:14pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Still no budget deal at the Capitol

     After saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and print a bill, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson are beginning the new week without a plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    Both the Senate and Assembly are scheduled to go into session at 2 p.m.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:16am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. voices continued frustration with lawmakers over budget deficit

  Number of comments: 1
     Gov. David Paterson continued to chide lawmakers today about not coming up with a solution to New York’s $3.2 billion deficit. If the state doesn’t cut costs, it won’t be able to pay all its bills next month, including aid to schools, he said during a news conference this [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate Republicans: We’re Ready For A Budget Deal

  Senate Republicans today put the blame on Gov. David Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, for failing to get a budget deal complete. “1 agree with Governor Paterson’s statement today that the Legislature should be acting on a deficit reduction plan today, instead of waiting until Monday.  The only problem [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 2:13pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• NY wants more takers on $20,000 severance package

     After a total of 1,089 state employees received authorization by mid-November to retire with a $20,000 severance payment, Gov. David Paterson’s Division of the Budget is extending the program until Jan. 20 to see if the state can get more participation.    Paterson ordered a total of $500 million in mid-year budget [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll finds Cuomo is still popular and Paterson isn’t

     Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would get the support of 72 percent of registered voters in the state in a primary against Gov. David Paterson, according to a Marist College poll released today. Twenty-one percent of voters would select Paterson, who plans to run for election next year.    “Right now, Andrew [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:14pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Layoffs, Furloughs, Pre-K Cuts Possible, Paterson Says

  With the state facing a cash crunch, Gov. David Paterson warned today he may have to resort to steps that other states have taken—such as layoffs, furloughs or shutting down pre-kindergarten program—if lawmakers don’t make budget cuts this month. A report from Moody’s Investors Service this week, meanwhile, said the state [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:07pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• DiNapoli: State Cash Crunch Getting Worse

  Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is coming out with a report today will show that the state’s cash crunch is getting even worse. DiNapoli said his office will release a report that shows New York faces a cash-flow deficit of up to $1.4 billion in late December, higher than projections from Gov. David [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 11:02am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Poll: Giuliani could defeat Gillibrand for U.S. Senate

  Number of comments: 1
     A new Marist College poll that coincides with news today that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has decided not to run for governor found that he would easily win over Democratic Gov. David Paterson but would have his work cut out for him if Attorney General Andrew Cuomo ran instead of Paterson.     [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:16pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers not due back until Monday

     As negotiations to close a $3.2 billion state budget shortfall continue, the Senate and Assembly have left town until Monday. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, has scheduled session Monday afternoon, although members are on alert that they could be called back earlier with 12 hours notice.    Senate Majority Leader John [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:30pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Is Giuliani Out For Governor And In For Senate?

  Talk was rampant this afternoon that Rudy Giuliani will not run for governor next year and is considering instead a run for U.S. Senate. The New York Times reported Giuliani will not run for governor, and the Daily News is reporting he’s going to run for Senate. There is no official word [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 2:39pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Budget Battle Continues

  The war of words continued today over the failure of Gov. David Paterson and the Legislature to reach a deal to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap. Paterson said he continues to get pushback from state senators, Democrats and Republicans, over his plan to cut aid to schools and [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 12:28pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Court Upholds Rights Of Gay Couples To Equal Benefits

  The state’s top court today upheld the rights of Westchester County and the state to legally extend benefits to same-sex couples married in other states. The state Court of Appeals rejected a Christian legal group’s claim that the extension of benefits to gay couples was illegal based on current state law. But [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 10:48am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• County clerks urge gov. to stop production of plates

     County clerks who protested the state’s plans to issue new license plates and charge drivers $25 each to get them said tonight they are not happy that the state is moving forward with production of the new plates.    Faced with pressure from county clerks and residents, Gov. David Paterson [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:33pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Staying In Albany

  Gov. David Paterson wouldn’t predict when he and lawmakers will reach a deal on the budget—maybe tomorrow he said. And thus he wouldn’t say how long he plans to keep them in town. “I feel that we are continuing to negotiate and we are just going to have to lock this [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:41pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Bloomberg Backs Public Authorities Reform

  New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had opposed the initial legislation to reform the state’s scandal-scarred public authorities, said this afternoon that he supports the modified bill. He said the bill removes some of his initial concerns, such as requiring authorities to sell land at fair market value no matter [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 6:40pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Signs One Bill, Announces A Deal On Another

  Lawmakers are still without agreement on a budget deal, but they are making their way through Gov. David Paterson’s legislative agenda that he put on the special session calendar since last week. They’ve passed legislation that would let local governments make it easier to form cooperative health-benefit plans and other consolidations [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 5:43pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Lawmakers, gov. reach agreement on public-authority reform

     Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, said the Asssembly, Senate and Gov. David Paterson have reached an agreement to pass legislation that will reform the state’s public-authority system. Brodsky said that bill, plus one passed earlier this year that the governor has said he will sign, will change the culture of what [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:55pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate unanimously passes “Leandra’s Law”

     The Senate just passed legislation that would strengthen drunken-driving laws in New York by making it a felony for someone to be driving while impaired and have a child passenger. The vote was 58-0.    Another provision of the bill would require anyone convicted of drunken driving to install an ignition-interlock [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll: Voters worried about deficit, lawmakers’ handling of it

     Nearly 70 percent of registered voters in New York fear the state will run out of money in December, according to a Marist Poll released this afternoon. Twenty-one percent of voters said they are not very worried about that and 10 percent are not worried at all, the poll found.    When [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:09pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• After stimulus $$, states still have $357 billion total shortfall

     The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February provided $106 billion in aid to states, about 25 percent of the $437 billion total state and local budget shortfalls, a report from the Washington-based Economic Policy Institute says.    Since state and local governments cannot run a deficit, as [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Report: Middle Class Pays Higher Share of Income To Taxes

  Number of comments: 1
  The union-backed Fiscal Policy Institute is promoting a national study today that claims the middle class in New York pays a slightly higher share of their income in state and local taxes than the rich. But the report by The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, titled “Who Pays? A Distributional [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 11:51am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Tells Lawmakers They Are Staying In Albany

  After his second leaders’ meeting tonight with legislative leaders, Gov. David Paterson said he’s not as optimistic as lawmakers are about getting a budget deal done. “I don’t know why people are walking around here saying we’re very close to a deal. I don’t know why people think they’re leaving here, [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:58pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Still No Budget Deal

  Legislative leaders and Gov. David Paterson were unable to reach a deal today on how to close the state’s $3.2 billion deficit as some lawmakers continued to oppose spending cuts to education and health care. Paterson has vowed to keep lawmakers in Albany until a deal is reached, but three days [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 7:36pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Study: ethical misconduct increasing as reason for leaving office

     Ethical misconduct increasingly is the reason state lawmakers leave office, Citizens Union said in a report released today. Fourteen legislators have left office in the past 10 years because of ethical misconduct, criminal charges or similar issues. Five of them left in the 2007-08 session.    “We are facing not [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:08pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Paterson: New License Plate Fee Was “Revenue Grab”

  Number of comments: 1
  So much for that reflectivity argument. Gov. David Paterson today said that the controversial new $25 fee on license plates was nothing more than a “revenue grab” and said people do not need new plates early. The state hoped to bring in $129 million in new revenue by forcing drivers to get [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 3:46pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Budget Talks Continue

  Legislative leaders were meeting behind closed doors this afternoon with Gov. David Paterson to continue budget negotiations to close a $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap. Senate President Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, said the two sides are millions of dollars apart on a budget agreement, not billions. While Smith said the sides [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 2:38pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Legislature Agrees To Toughen Laws On Drunk Driving

  The state Legislature is expected to pass legislation that would toughen drunken-driving laws, making it a felony for driving while impaired with a child as a passenger. The measure would also require people convicted of a DWI in New York, and every person convicted of a DWI-related crime, to have an [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Duffy: Lt. Gov. Talk Is News To Him

  Number of comments: 1
  Rochester Mayor Robert Duffy responded this afternoon to being mentioned in a New York Times article that he’s being considered by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo as a potential running mate if Cuomo runs for governor next year. Duffy said he hasn’t been approached by anyone about the position and dismissed it [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 6:41pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Budget Deal Not Ready Yet

  Gov. David Paterson called legislators back to the Capitol on Monday, but like last week the sides remained at odds over how to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap. Paterson has indicated he plans to keep the state Legislature in Albany until a deal is complete, which lawmakers expect [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 5:43pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Kruger To Paterson: Collect Sales Taxes On Indian Reservations

  Sen. Carl Kruger, D-Brooklyn, chair of the Senate Finance Committee, wrote a letter to Gov. David Paterson asking him to start taxing cigarettes sold on Native American reservations. Kruger claims the tax could generate up to $1.6 billion in revenue for the state, reports Gannett’s Jon Campbell, who attended Kruger’s [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 2:50pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Lazio Defends Paterson

  Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Lazio wrote a letter this morning to Attorney General Andrew Cuomo defending Gov. David Paterson and saying Cuomo should speak publicly if he thinks he could do a better job. The letter comes after a New York Times article today said that Cuomo is already talking about [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 2:44pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Clerks deliver 100,000 signatures against plates

     County clerks delivered four boxes of petitions opposing the state’s requirement that all drivers get new license plates starting next spring and pay $25 for them. They had collected signatures from more than 100,000 New Yorkers who want the state to quash the requirement, which would raise $130 million [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 2:19pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Despite Efforts, Paterson Still Struggling With Voters: Poll

  Despite a media blitz and a message of fiscal austerity, Gov. David Paterson’s standing with New York voters inched up just slightly in recent weeks, a Siena College poll today found. The Democratic governor’s favorability rating was 33 percent, up from 27 percent in a Siena poll a month ago. That was [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 9:38am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• State To Seek Repeal Of License Plate Fee

  The state Legislature and Gov. David Paterson indicated Sunday they would look to repeal a new fee that would require motorists to pay $25 for new plates when their vehicle registrations expire starting in April 2010. The sides said they will seek alternative revenue sources to make up for about $129 [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 8:54pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Hillary Not Running For Governor, Rudy Still Undecided

  Rudy Giuliani continues to not say whether he will run for governor next year, saying on ABC “This Week” this morning that he’ll decide pretty soon. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was clear, however: She’s not running for governor. Asked about a possible run by George Stephanopoulos and how polls show him [...]
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  Posted: November 15, 2009, 11:52am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Governor: Time is of the essence in budget cuts

     Gov. David Paterson made the rounds of some radio shows today to give an update on where negotiations stand on closing the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers were in town for a special session Tuesday, but they left without reaching an agreement. The governor is calling them back Monday [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 2:08pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• H1N1 vaccine becoming more available in NY

  The H1N1 flu vaccine is becoming more widely available across the state, Gov. David Paterson announced today. County health departments are planning clinics that had been put off because the national supply has been lower than anticipated. “Due to delays in manufacturing the H1N1 vaccine, our statewide vaccination campaign has [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:34pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State workers reach plea agreement over “man cave”

  Two New York employees who were allegedly selling and using drugs, watching television and sleeping in a concealed ”man cave” on state property instead of working pleaded guilty today to defrauding the government, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced. Gary A. Pivoda, 48, of Glennon Road in Latham, an Albany suburb, and Louis Marciano, 50, of Willow [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Cuomo, Paterson Raising Campaign Bucks

  With the next campaign finance filing about two months away, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is bringing in John Bon Jovi to give a special performance at his birthday fundraiser next month. Tickets start at $1,000. Meanwhile, an event for Gov. David Paterson is being held next Thursday with Ellen Malcolm, president and [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:19pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• State begins push to get everyone counted in census

     The New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee kicked off a campaign to make sure state residents are counted in next year’s U.S. Census. Gov. David Paterson signed an executive order to form the committee, which will be composed of the heads of all state agencies and authorities.    The [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:31pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• More than 1,000 protest proposed health-care cuts

  More than 1,000 health-care workers who traveled to the Capitol Thursday to protest the governor’s proposed $278 million in health-care reductions.    “We simply cannot sustain any more cuts in our hospitals, in our nursing homes or in our home-care division. Today we’ve got to make it clear: No more health-care [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:51pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Paterson To Lawmakers: Just Do It

  After talking tough about the need to cut state spending, Gov. David Paterson this morning suggested that he’s open to coming on board with any deal that legislative leaders could strike to close a $3.2 billion mid-year budget deficit. Paterson held a half-hour conference call with legislative leaders that reporters were [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 12:09pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• If Party’s Pick, Paterson Thinks Obama Would Campaign For Him

  Speaking on Bloomberg radio this morning, Gov. David Paterson was asked whether he thinks President Obama would campaign for him as he seeks election next year. This, of course, after the White House in September asked Paterson to reconsider his election plans. “I wouldn’t have the slightest idea,” Paterson responded. “If [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 10:20am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• NY scores better than 12 states on “fiscal peril” scale

     New York received a score of 20 on the Pew Center on the States’ new report evaluating whether states are in fiscal peril. All states were compared with California, which received the highest score—30. Revenue is down more in New York than California—17.1 percent to 16.2 percent. The national [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:09pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Thousands expected to protest proposed cuts

  Thousands of New York health-care workers are planning a rally in Albany tomorrow to protest Gov. David Paterson’s proposed $470 million cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and home-care providers. The governor has called for the reductions as part of his plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget deficit. [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 3:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Paterson Not Ready To Pass Blame On Budget Delay

  Gov. David Paterson said today that he won’t point fingers as to why a budget-cutting deal hasn’t been completed with the state Legislature, saying he remains optimistic that next week’s session will lead to an agreement. After Tuesday’s failed session, he has called lawmakers back to Albany on Monday and Tuesday [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 2:25pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Bruno: “I Did Nothing Wrong”

  With his federal corruption trial in its second week, former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, Rensselaer County, continues to proclaim his innocence as the prosecution seeks to builds its case in federal court against him. “I did nothing wrong. I was charged with no specific crime. I did business within [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 11:55am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Republicans, Out of Power, Not Happy With Budget Talks

  Here’s the statement from Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, on the failure to get a budget deal done today. “The taxpayers of New York delivered a strong message last Tuesday that they are sick and tired of out of control government spending and the high taxes and fees that [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 7:17pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson To Call Legislature Back Next Week

  Unable to get a budget deal today with the state Legislature, Gov. David Paterson told reporters this evening that he will call lawmakers back to Albany next Monday and Tuesday to address the deficit. He said today’s session wasn’t a bust because it got lawmakers to negotiate seriously about the budget [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 6:30pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Budget Deal Remains Elusive

  On Monday, Gov. David Paterson implored lawmakers to deal with the state’s budget deficit. But today, a deal did not appear imminent. Despite a special session of the Legislature called by Paterson to close a $3.2 billion mid-year deficit, he and legislators remained at odds over how to remedy the state’s [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 3:55pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• CVS agrees to $875,000 settlement with state

     State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that he reached an $875,000 settlement with CVS Pharmacy Inc. over the sale of expired products in New York, including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula.     CVS, which has about 432 stores in the state, has agreed to implement specific policies and procedures aimed [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 1:05pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Budget Talks Continue, Same-Sex Marriage Vote Not Expected

  The state Legislature will convene a special session today to seek to address the state’s budget deficit and a host of legislation, including a same-sex marriage bill. But agreements still appear uncertain, and senators and aides said privately that they are not expected to take up the bill today to legalize [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 11:01am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Monserrate panel holds first meeting

     Four members of the Senate’s Special Committee of Inquiry investigating the conduct of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, defended their ability to serve impartially this evening after a letter from Monserrate’s lawyer alleged they were “predisposed against” his client. The committee has been convened to review Monserrate’s domestic-violence case and determine whether his [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Cuomo Absent From Governor’s Speech

  Number of comments: 1
  Attorney General Andrew Cuomo, a potential Democratic gubernatorial candidate next year, was not in attendance today at Gov. David Paterson’s speech to a joint session of the Legislature. A spokesman said Cuomo had a “long-term scheduling conflict.” Paterson, who is running for a full four-year term next year, said Cuomo was invited [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 7:32pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Scozzafava Resigns From Leadership Post

  Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava, the Republican candidate in the 23rd Congressional District race who left the race and backed the Democratic candidate, has agreed to resign from her $16,500-a-year leadership position, Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb said this evening. The move had been expected since Scozzafava’s endorsement of Democratic candidate Bill Owens, [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 7:28pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Implores Lawmakers To Act On Cuts

  Saying the state is at the “brink of financial challenge of unprecedented magnitude,” Gov. David Paterson on Monday urged the state Legislature to pass a budget-cutting plan that he says is vital to the state’s fiscal health. In a rare joint session of the Legislature, Paterson called lawmakers together to stress [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 6:38pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Special-interest groups protest budget cuts

     As the Legislature prepares to meet in special session on budget cuts tomorrow, the halls of the Capitol and Legislative Office Building are busy with lobbyists and special-interest groups protesting proposed cuts in education, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and other areas.    New York State United Teachers, the Campaign [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Cash For Clunkers Helped Car Dealers, Not So Much For State

  Cash For Clunkers helped increase sales-tax collections at auto dealerships across upstate New York and Long Island in the third quarter by $17.1 million, an increase of 10 percent, Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said in a report today. But the national program didn’t offset the state’s decline in sales-tax revenue, which [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:30pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Cancer Society fights cuts with “Red Bra” campaign

  The American Cancer Society launched a “Red Bra” campaign campaign today to urge lawmakers not to cut mammograms for the uninsured. A red bra is pictured above the words “Don’t leave New York women exposed” on a flyer from the organization. Albany lawmakers and the governor have already cut funding to provide [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:07pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Insurance Bill In New York Gets National Attention

  Sen. Eric Schneiderman, D-Manhattan, is getting national attention for his legislation that would prohibit insurers from dropping entire lines of insurance when it gets too expensive. Schneiderman appeared on CNN and MSNBC’s Countdown on Friday. Schneiderman said this morning that he’s reached out to Sen. Charles Schumer to see if the legislation [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Debate Builds Over Same-Sex Marriage

  The debate over legalizing same-sex marriage in New York will heat up over the next day as Gov. David Paterson has put the measure on tomorrow’s special session agenda. It remains unclear whether the bill will make it to the Senate floor, and if does whether it would get approved. The [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 11:52am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Addresses Reluctant Legislature Today

  Gov. David Paterson will address a joint session of the state Legislature at 3 p.m. today to urge them to pass a budget-cutting plan that he says is vital to the state’s fiscal health. You can watch the speech live here. But the governor appears to face an uphill battle in convincing [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 10:57am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• State proposes 1,000 housing units for NYC adult-home residents

     State officials on Friday evening filed a U.S. District Court-ordered remedial plan for how to ensure that residents of adult homes in New York City have the opportunity to live in settings that are more integrated into the community. District Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled in September that about [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 2:10am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• As current deficit looms large, state begins 2010-11 budget process

     This year’s state $3.2 billion budget deficit is far from settled, but it’s time for the governor’s Division of Budget, the Legislature and the state Comptroller’s Office to start working on the 2010-11 spending plan.    At 9:30 a.m. Monday, the day before the special budget-cutting session called by Gov. David [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:30pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate Democrats’ Talk Of No-Show “Shameful,” Paterson Says

  Gov. David Paterson today called talk of Senate Democrats potentially boycotting his address Monday to a joint session of the Legislature “shameful” and said “I’m even insulted by the delay” in debating whether to come. This morning, a spokesman for the Senate majority said the conference plans to attend, and aides [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 4:10pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Trying To “Get My Story Out”

  Gov. David Paterson this morning said he doesn’t feel empowered that President Obama was unsuccessful in helping Democrats win governor’s races in New Jersey and Virginia, which could dampen the White House’s attempts to have Paterson back away from a run next year. “I don’t feel empowered by any Democratic losses. [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 11:30am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Senate Democrats To Attend Paterson’s Address

  The Senate Democratic majority will now attend Gov. David Paterson’s address Monday to a joint session of the Legislature, a spokesman said this morning. “They still don’t want to, but out of respect for the governor’s office they are going to attend,” said spokesman Austin Shafran. Shafran said the conference expects all [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 10:49am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Legislation Would Make Public Lawmakers’ Defense Funds

  Sen. Neil Breslin, D-Albany County, held a press conference today at the Capitol to announce a bill that would require disclosure of any financial contributions to a legal defense fund for politicians in the wake of a fund set up by Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, Gannett’s Jon Campbell reports. The bill [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:50pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Pushing A Tax Amnesty Program

  As lawmakers seek to close this year’s $3.2 billion budget gap, Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, is proposing legislation that would toughen laws on tax scofflaws. Klein estimates that the state could bring in about $400 million if it establishes a tax amnesty program, which would waive penalties if tax evaders pay [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:49pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson Starts Ads For 2010 Campaign

  In an attempt to build support for his candidacy next year, Gov. David Paterson released two television ads for his 2010 campaign that will begin airing statewide Friday. The first ad, titled “Some Say,” tries to make the case for how he’s made tough decisions in the state’s fiscal crisis and [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 6:11pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• With Senate Democrats Or Not, Paterson Calls Special Session

  Even as Senate Democrats say they won’t return to Albany until they have a budget deal, Gov. David Paterson is ordering them back on Tuesday for a special session. And, as he’s promised, he’s put out a long list of key priorities of his administration for lawmakers to consider adopting. He wants [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 3:56pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• After DiNapoli Restores A Pension, Cuomo Takes It Away

  A week after it was revealed that Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli quietly restored pensions to the private attorneys he spent a year investigating, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that one of the top targets of their investigations has settled and will no longer receive state pension benefits. Cuomo said Long Island [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 1:22pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Senate Democrats To Stay Away From Paterson’s Address

  Senate Democrats are not expected to attend Gov. David Paterson’s planned speech to a joint session of the state Legislature on Monday, saying they will return to Albany when they reach a budget deal. “The Senate will return to Albany once they have an agreement,” said Selvena Brooks, spokeswoman for Senate [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 12:41pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson: This Isn’t “Middle of Tehran”

  Gov. David Paterson appear to be getting little support from Senate Democrats in his call to address a joint session of the state Legislature on Monday. While Assembly Democrats plan to attend have issued a proclamation to do so, Senate Democrats haven’t, and it’s unclear whether they will. Even Paterson admitted as [...]
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  Posted: November 05, 2009, 11:41am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• The Views Of New York’s State Chairmen

  The state’s Democratic and Republican chairman offered, as expected, different takes on Tuesday’s election results. State Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs said: “If you’re a Republican this morning, you’re feeling emboldened. If you’re a Democrat this morning, you’re a bit more cautious.” But Jacobs warned that despite the party’s losses in the suburbs [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:52pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Focus Turns To Giuliani and Pataki

  With Republicans’ wins in the New York suburbs in local elections yesterday, some Republicans say it could help encourage former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and former Gov. George Pataki to run for statewide office next year. Despite the widespread belief before Election Day that neither would run next year, [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 3:10pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Senators want law changed to protect patients

  Number of comments: 1
     Two Democratic senators plan to announce legislation tomorrow that would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to someone by dropping entire lines of insurance.    The lawmakers cite the case of Ian Pearl, a 37-year-old with muscular dystrophy, whose around-the-clock nursing care costs more than $1 million [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Shakeups In County Governments

  Democrats suffered some major losses in county races yesterday, with Republicans winning the county executive seat in Westchester, the county Legislature in Dutchess County and Ulster County and hanging onto the majority in the Legislature in Monroe County. The victories, some groups said, was indicative of a tax revolt in the [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 11:07am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Reactions To Last Night’s Results In the 23rd District

  Here’s some reactions to Democrat Bill Owens, left, surprising victory in the 23rd congressional district, in which he beat the Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman 49 percent to 46 percent.” “The Democratic Party will not establish a litmus test for our candidates, like the one the Republicans imposed on their candidates in [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 9:57am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Paterson: We’ll Abide With A Ruling On Yankees Tickets

  Gov. David Paterson addressed the issue of his free Yankees tickets this morning after he voted in New York City, saying he wants a ruling from the state Commission on Public Integrity. “I want to ask the state ethics commissioner what the proper ruling is in this area,” Paterson said, according [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 4:02pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Scozzafave Seemed Fine, Cuomo Says

  Attorney General Andrew Cuomo was asked this morning about the 23rd District race and about his conversation over the weekend with Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava, who dropped out of the race Saturday and then endorsed Democratic candidate Bill Owens. Cuomo rejected state GOP chairman Ed Cox’s comments that she was in [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Democrats: Ethics Bill Would Stop Alleged Bruno Offenses

  Senate Democrats have failed to pass an ethics reform package, in part because when it came to the floor of over the summer, Long Island Democratic Sen. Brian Foley wasn’t there because his father passed away. But Democrats are again pushing their reform package, saying it could thwart future offenses. And [...]
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  Posted: November 03, 2009, 10:42am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Financial Disclosures Online

  NYPIRG has posted online the hand-written financial disclosure statements of state lawmakers on its Web site. The forms are currently searchable by the lawmaker’s name and counties represented, as well as the occupation of themselves and their spouses. Lawmakers each year after required to file out the forms, though the law is [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 5:22pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• NYPIRG: Commission Should Investigate Paterson’s Yankees Tickets

  Number of comments: 1
  Blair Horner, legislative director at the New York Public Interest Research Group, said the state Commission on Public Integrity should investigate whether Gov. David Paterson solicited World Series tickets from the Yankees, which hires lobbyists and does business with the state. The New York Post reported today that Paterson sought free [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 3:34pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Cox Says Scozzafava Made An “Emotional Decision” To Back Democrats

  Ed Cox, the state GOP chairman, said he spoke with Dede Scozzafava soon after she decided Saturday to suspend her campaign in the 23rd congressional district. He said the Republican candidate was sobbing on the phone and was then pressured by Democrats to back Democratic candidate Bill Owens. “She made the [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 2:01pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Conservatives Call For Investigation Into Scozzafava’s Democratic Endorsement

  Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long today called for an investigation by the Federal Election Commission into what he called “illicit inducements” from Democrats that led to Republican candidate Dede Scozzafava dropping out of the 23rd congressional race and backing Democrat Bill Owens. Several Democrats, including Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, and [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 12:56pm EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Bruno Arrives For Trial: “I’ve Done Nothing Wrong”

  Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno arrived for his federal corruption trial this morning in Albany and said he will be found innocent. “I’m doing great. Looking forward to this day,” he said in the video posted by Kyle Hughes of nysnys.com. “I’ve been looking forward for a long time to [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 10:54am EST
  by Joseph Spector

• Hoffman Takes Lead In Upstate House Race

  In the race in the 23rd District in northern New York, the Conservative Party candidate Doug Hoffman—buoyed by the decision Saturday of the Republican candidate to drop out-- has a five-point lead over Democrat Bill Owens, a Siena College poll this morning found. Hoffman leads Owens 41 percent to 36 percent, [...]
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  Posted: November 02, 2009, 10:53am EST
  by Joseph Spector