NY GOP lawmakers push to limit quick bill passage

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Several Republican state lawmakers, criticizing the quick passage last month of gun restrictions, say they've introduced legislation that would limit Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo's use of so-called “messages of necessity” that permit quick voting on important bills.

Sen. Greg Ball and Assemblymen Jim Tedisco, Steve McLaughlin and Tony Jordan say several colleagues will join their attempt to prevent government from keeping many legislators, the public and press in the dark on serious policy initiatives.

The gun control bill, drafted by Cuomo administration officials in consultation with key legislators and staff, was passed by the Senate the night it was introduced and by the Assembly the next day.

In his message, Cuomo said “some weapons are so dangerous” that the state needed to act “without delay” to ban them.

NY raft guide sentenced for Ohio woman's drowning

INDIAN LAKE, N.Y. (AP) An Adirondack whitewater guide has been sentenced to a year in jail for his role in the death of an Ohio woman who fell out of their raft in the Adirondacks.

The Glens Falls Post-Star reports that 38-year-old Rory Fay of North Creek was sentenced in Hamilton County Court, where he'd pleaded guilty in November to criminally negligent homicide and other charges for the death of 53-year-old Tamara Blake of Columbus.

State police said Fay was drunk when he and Blake fell out of the raft on Sept. 27. Blake drowned.

Fay was a guide for the Hudson River Rafting Co., which has been temporarily shut down by court order because of a number of safety concerns.

The newspaper reports Fay apologized for the accident at his sentencing Friday.

NY chief judge to unveil initiative on bail

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) New York Chief Judge Jonathan Lippman plans to unveil a new initiative for how the state courts handle bail.

Lippman also plans to address the use cameras in New York courtrooms during his annual report on the state of the judiciary Tuesday.

Courts set bail amounts for defendants accused of crimes to ensure they return to court.

In a ruling last year, the Court of Appeals noted revisions in state law were intended to reform what was once a restrictive bail scheme and make release more available to pretrial detainees, who are presumed innocent until proven otherwise.

In last year's address, Lippman urged DNA testing of all misdemeanor criminals while giving defense attorneys greater access to crime scene DNA evidence, measures that were enacted.