New York’s Senate Republicans want a public airing of the deal for video slot machines at the Aqueduct racetrack in Queens, and Assembly Minority Leader Sheldon Silver has asked the state inspector general to review it. Silver, Gov. David Paterson, and Senate Democratic conference leader John Sampson selected the consortium Aqueduct Entertainment Group from among [...]
February 11, 2010 | Posted in
Aqueduct Racetrack |
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Medical marijuana is a “good idea,” New York State voters say 71 – 25 percent, with support among all political, racial and regional groups, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. Even Republicans say 55 – 41 percent that adults should be allowed to use marijuana if their doctor prescribes it, the independent Quinnipiac [...]
Just more than two weeks ago, the overwhelming majority of both the state Senate and Assembly passed an ethics reform bill. Governor David Paterson called it weak then and, on Tuesday, made good on his promise to veto the plan. “I think we can do better. I think the people of the State of New [...]
February 2, 2010 | Posted in
David Paterson |
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Facing growing opposition to its plans to hold the Sept. 11 terrorist trial in New York City, the Obama administration is considering moving the proceedings elsewhere. Two administration officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Friday the Justice department is drawing up plans for possible alternate locations to try professed 9/11 mastermind Khalid Sheikh [...]
January 29, 2010 | Posted in
Issues,
Security |
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Assemblywoman Joan Christensen’s announcement that she plans to retire from the state Legislature puts the 119th Assembly District up for grabs, but no political hopefuls seized the opportunity Wednesday to announce their candidacy. Democrat Jane Fahey-Suddaby, 54, of Onondaga, is the only candidate who has said she is running for the job. Two other Democrats [...]
January 28, 2010 | Posted in
News,
Upstate Politics |
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A Long Island politician is taking some flak for getting himself and two colleagues pay raises averaging 42 percent. Fellow Republicans in the Nassau County Legislature carried the pay-hike vote that was proposed by Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt. One of the raises was for Democratic Minority Leader Diane Yatauro. She calls the action “shameless.” Yatauro [...]
January 26, 2010 | Posted in
Peter Schmitt |
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Senate President Malcolm Smith, D-Queens, on Wednesday defended the Senate’s regional offices and said his conference was not getting enough credit for legislation it had passed. The Senate operates an office on East Avenue and has offices in Buffalo, Syracuse and Long Island. They have been criticized for duplicating the work of each senator’s office. [...]
Four members of the Assembly minority announced earlier today they signed a “tax-free” pledge, promising to vote down any increases in state taxes contained in the 2010 budget. Gov. David Paterson will release his 2010-11 budget proposal on Tuesday and lawmakers have to adopt a spending plan by April 1. The pledge, open to both [...]
January 14, 2010 | Posted in
Taxes |
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Democrat Bill Owens has captured the special election for a New York congressional seat that became a fight over the identity of the Republican Party. Owens defeated Conservative Doug Hoffman and Republican Dierdre Scozzafava in the heavily Republican 23rd congressional District in rural northern New York. Scozzafava abruptly withdrew Saturday and supported Owens. Hoffman has [...]
November 4, 2009 | Posted in
Bill Owens,
Politicians |
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As Republicans regained control of the Nassau County Legislature for the first time in a decade, Nassau County Executive Thomas Souzzi is leading by a razor thin margin. The defeat came for Democrats when Republican Howard Kopel beat five-term Democrat Jeff Toback in last night’s elections, giving the GOP a 10-9 control. Several races remained [...]
November 4, 2009 | Posted in
News |
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