After a long battle followed by days of protracted deal-making, the New York State Senate voted Friday night to legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire State. The historic yet divisive measure passed by a narrow margin of 33 votes to 29. The vote will make New York the sixth state – and the largest one [...]
A bill that would end the “last in, first out” layoff policy for New York City teachers passed in the State Senate today, but faces an uphill battle in the Assembly. Introduced late last week by State Senator John Flanagan, a Long Island Republican, the bill rules out seniority as the sole factor in determining who [...]
Assemblyman Jose Peralta has won Tuesday’s special election for the 13th State Senate District. He will now represent parts of Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst and Corona. It was a heated race between Peralta and his main challenger, former State Senator Hiram Monserrate who ran as an Independent hoping to win back his old seat. Monserrate [...]
A former Republican congressman is about to throw his hat into the ring for the U.S. Senate seat held by Kirsten Gillibrand. Joe DioGuardi, seen above, who represented the suburbs north of the city for two terms in the 1980s, is set to announce his candidacy on Tuesday. He is expected to make the announcement [...]
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 [...]
Queens senator Hiram Monserrate was formally expelled Tuesday from the State Senate following a 53-8 vote. The resolution takes effect immediately. Sources say there were two resolutions being considered by state senators as they met behind closed doors Tuesday night. One called for an immediate expulsion, the other would have delayed it until June. Monserrate [...]
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 [...]
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is getting fundraising help from President Barack Obama’s former campaign manager as she faces a possible primary challenge from Harold Ford Jr. David Plouffe will be the featured speaker at a Feb. 22 breakfast fundraiser at a yet-to-be-determined New York City law firm, according to the Gillibrand campaign. Plouffe led Obama’s winning [...]
As she tries to shore up support for her election bid, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand has reportedly received the backing of one of the country’s most powerful Democrats. Former President Bill Clinton is supporting Gillibrand’s election, according to the Daily News. The paper cites a Clinton aide, who says the former president thinks Gillibrand is doing [...]
State Senate Majority Leader John Sampson said he will not decide for at least a week whether to push for the expulsion or censure of Queens Senator Hiram Monserrate. A senate committee made a recommendation that senators should expel or censure Monserrate. Senate Minority Leader Dean Skelos said a decision is overdue and the full [...]
