Jun 14, 2005 — Governor George Pataki says reform of lobbying practices and crime initiatives are some of his top priorities for the legislative session, which is set to end June 23. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Jun 10, 2005 — Democrats in the New York State Assembly are trying to revive reform of the Rockefeller drug laws with a new proposal that offers more treatment to non-violent drug offenders. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Jun 09, 2005 — Owners of wineries from across the state came to the Capitol yesterday to lobby for a law to let them ship wine directly to consumers. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jun 07, 2005 — A three person board controlled by Governor Pataki and the legislative leaders has rejected a proposal to build a new stadium for the New York Jets on Manhattan's West Side. It would also be used to host the 2012 Olympics and the Super Bowl. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 19, 2005 — A day after requesting that a crucial vote on a new stadium for the NY Jets be postponed, State Senate Majority leader Joseph Bruno says he wants a public meeting to address questions about the project. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 03, 2005 — Three North Country counties have the lowest voter turnout in New York State. The prison population pulls those numbers down, but voter participation in New York State as a whole is below the national average. That's according to a study by a student-led research group.  Go to full article

Apr 14, 2005 — There's renewed debate over the future of the North Country's share of cheap electricity produced at the hydropower dam in Massena. The local Alcoa and General Motors plants currently use almost 500 megawatts at below market prices. That's more than the amount of electricity all the households in northern New York use. The agreement expires in 2013. Lawmakers want the industrial giants to extend their side of the deal and commit to providing jobs long term. But if Alcoa and General Motors were to close, people worry downstate interests could grab the cheap power. Two North Country lawmakers are writing bills to stop that from happening. But as David Sommerstein reports, they differ over how to do it.  Go to full article

Apr 06, 2005 — These are tense weeks for Medicaid recipients. Last week, the legislature restored Governor Pataki's proposed Medicaid cuts. But Pataki still has line-item veto power to make irreversible cuts to the budget. And many advocates fear he'll use it  Go to full article

Apr 04, 2005 — As a part of the budget, lawmakers agreed to extend one of the state's main economic development programs. The Empire Zones program gives more than 9,000 businesses tax credits to locate in New York and create jobs. There are almost a dozen Empire Zones in northern New York. The new legislation heightens reporting requirements for companies that get tax breaks. And it links benefits more closely to job creation. It extends the program until 2015. David Sommerstein spoke with North Country Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine. He says the program is designed to help distressed communities.  Go to full article

Mar 11, 2005 — Around the country, small rural airports - like Massena, Watertown, Ogdensburg, Saranac Lake, Plattsburgh and others in the North Country - are supported by federal subsidies. President Bush is calling for local and state taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden. Local lawmakers say the measure could force those airports to shut down.  Go to full article