r e g i o n a l n e w s
NCPR News Staff: Karen DeWitt
NYS Capitol Correspondent
Karen DeWitt has covered state government and politics at the New York State Capitol for public radio for ten years. Before that she worked at WINS, New York. She has also written for numerous publications, including Adirondack Life, Empire State Report, and Metroland. E-mail Stories filed by Karen DeWitt
Photo: Ove Overmeyer, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
Abortion rights vote still possible for NYS, women's groups say
Jun 19, 2013 — Women's groups say they have not given up on abortion rights bill passing in the final days of the session, now that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced the Women's Equality Act as 10 separate bills.
Tracey Brooks, with Family Planning Advocates, says women's groups are asking Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos to bring the abortion rights measure to the floor as a standalone bill. Brooks says Skelos, pledged two years ago to allow what's known as a vote of conscience on social issues where Senators are divided. Go to full article
Tracey Brooks, with Family Planning Advocates, says women's groups are asking Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos to bring the abortion rights measure to the floor as a standalone bill. Brooks says Skelos, pledged two years ago to allow what's known as a vote of conscience on social issues where Senators are divided. Go to full article
New York State NOW President Zenaida Mendez, being arrested at a sit-in at the Capitol. Photo: Karen DeWitt
21 arrested as progressives push for action in Albany
Jun 19, 2013 — A senior Cuomo administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders struck a late night deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal that appeared to have been blocked in the Senate.
According to the Associated Press, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was scheduled to be announced today.
And legislative spokesmen immediately disputed some elements of the agreement.
Michael Whyland, spokesman for the Assembly's Democratic majority, says the chamber still plans to vote and approve all 10 items as a single bill. A Senate Republican official late Tuesday night said there was no commitment to bring the abortion bill to the floor.
The reported deal came after several arrests at the state Capitol.
Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that hopes faded for the progressive agenda. Go to full article
According to the Associated Press, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was scheduled to be announced today.
And legislative spokesmen immediately disputed some elements of the agreement.
Michael Whyland, spokesman for the Assembly's Democratic majority, says the chamber still plans to vote and approve all 10 items as a single bill. A Senate Republican official late Tuesday night said there was no commitment to bring the abortion bill to the floor.
The reported deal came after several arrests at the state Capitol.
Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that hopes faded for the progressive agenda. Go to full article
Gov. Andrew Cuomo
Cuomo agenda in danger at session end
Jun 18, 2013 — There's three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in the Women's Equality Act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures.
Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied. Go to full article
Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied. Go to full article
The Empire Plaza in Albany.
No Deals Yet, As End of Session Looms
Jun 17, 2013 — There are only four days left in the legislative session, and so far no agreements have been reached between Governor Cuomo and the legislature on major issues like campaign finance reform or a women's equality act. Go to full article
Black & Hispanic caucus pushes pot decriminalization
Jun 14, 2013 — Members of the new York legislature's Black and Hispanic caucus and their allies are making a last minute push for a bill to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of marijuana.
In Albany yesterday, they charged the current laws unfairly target young black and Latino men. Go to full article
In Albany yesterday, they charged the current laws unfairly target young black and Latino men. Go to full article
A lot of things will need to come together inside the NYS Capitol to get to an end-of-session deal. Photo: Holley St. Germain, Creative Commons, some rights reserved
Down to the wire on hot-button issues in Albany
Jun 13, 2013 — It's getting down to the wire for major pieces of legislation still pending in Albany. As the end of session approaches in Albany, there are no agreements yet on a number of hot-button issues, including women's rights and campaign finance reform.
But that's not unusual in a government where last minute deals are part of the routine. Go to full article
But that's not unusual in a government where last minute deals are part of the routine. Go to full article
Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
Cuomo rolls out campaign finance bill
Jun 12, 2013 — With just over a week left in the legislative session, Governor Cuomo released his bill to extend public financing of political campaigns to statewide races. But he still faces resistance from some factions within the legislature. Go to full article
Hundreds rallied recently at the Capitol in support of the Women's Equality Bill, including Sarah Weddington (left) who successfully argued Roe v Wade before the Supreme Court, and actor Cynthia Nixon. Photo: Karen DeWitt
Women's groups target NY Senate over abortion rights
Jun 11, 2013 — Women's groups are putting pressure on the state Senate's ruling coalition to take up Governor Cuomo's Women's Equality Act, which includes an abortion rights provision. Go to full article
Gov. Andrew Cuomo signing the NY SAFE act into law in January. His poll numbers have fallen in the months since the signing. Photo: Gov. Cuomo's office via Flickr
Cuomo challenged at end of session
Jun 10, 2013 — Governor Cuomo faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet as the end of his third legislative session rapidly approaches.
His poll numbers are falling, his agenda is in danger, and there's some question of whether Cuomo can pull it off. Go to full article
His poll numbers are falling, his agenda is in danger, and there's some question of whether Cuomo can pull it off. Go to full article
Cuomo pushes for three upstate casinos
Jun 06, 2013 — Governor Cuomo has been pushing the plan for upstate casinos as an economic development tool for several months now. The constitutional amendment needed, which has already received partial passage, calls for seven casinos. Cuomo says he wants just three destination gambling centers for now. Go to full article
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St. Lawrence University, Canton,
New York 13617 • phone: 1-877-388-6277 • email
radio@ncpr.orgNCPR is a proud affiliate of:
NPR • American Public Media • Public Radio International
