Mar 17, 2006 — Assemblyman Chris Ortloff, a Republican from Plattsburgh, is building support for a major property tax reform package. The bill fell short in a test vote earlier this week, but won support from 14 Democratic lawmakers. Ortloff's $5 billion plan is designed to slow increases in property taxes. It would also shift more public school and Medicaid costs onto the state b udget. That means taxpayers downstate would pick up more of the bill for education and social programs here in the North Country. Ortloff told Brian Mann that the property tax issue has become a crisis for many homeowners.  Go to full article

Dec 01, 2005 — The new leader of the New York Assembly Republicans says he intends to "hit the ground running" during his first days of running the smallest political faction in the state legislature. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 14, 2005 — An attempt has been made to oust the leader of the Republicans in the State Assembly, amid dissatisfaction among some of the minority party members in that house. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Feb 14, 2005 — The New York State Assembly will start punishing members who miss too many meetings. Lawmakers say it will reform house operations and open up the government process. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Dec 10, 2004 — A hearing by Senate Democrats focused on dysfunction in legislative committees, and ways to make the committees more open to the public and to individual members. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Nov 09, 2004 — Election officials in Clinton and Franklin counties are still counting absentee ballots in the 114th district Assembly race. The margin between incumbent Republican Chris Ortloff and Democratic challenger Bernie Bassett has tightened to fewer than 1700 votes. Roughly roughly four thousand ballots remain to be counted. Bassett says he hopes he'll pull ahead and will wait until the vote is certified next week. Ortloff is already back in Albany and says he's confident that he'll be re-elected. This race is tighter than most observers expected. Democrats also held the River District in St. Lawrence County and taking control of the Franklin County legislature. Speaking yesterday with Brian Mann, Ortloff said this election was a wake-up call for North Country for Republicans.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2004 — The race for the 114th Assembly district has turned harsh in recent weeks, fueled by dissatisfaction with Albany and by a huge infusion of cash from the Democratic Party. Incumbent Republican Chris Ortloff and challenger Bernie Bassett have traded accusations about jobs and the dysfunctional legislature. Brian Mann reports from Plattsburgh.  Go to full article

Oct 26, 2004 — On Election Day, first-term Democratic Assemblyman Darrel Aubertine faces a challenge from Watertown businessman Republican Scott Gray in the 118th district. It's also called the 'River District' because it runs along the St. Lawrence River in St. Lawrence and Jefferson Counties. Both candidates are from Jefferson County and both ran for the seat two years ago. But as David Sommerstein reports, some key differences this time around make the race tough to call.  Go to full article

Oct 26, 2004 — Democrats in Albany are pouring big campaign money into a north country assembly race. According to the Plattsburgh Press Republican newspaper, Challenger Bernie Bassett has received more than 190 thousand dollars in support from the Democratic Assembly Campaign Committee. Brian Mann has details.  Go to full article

Oct 13, 2004 — In the 114th Assembly District, Plattsburgh Republican Chris Ortloff faces a challenge from Democrat Bernie Bassett, a former school principal from Morrisonville. Ortloff won his last election by a three-to-one margin. But this year, Bassett has received more than thirty-five thousand dollars in financial support from the state Democratic party, which hopes to claim a second assembly seat in the North Country. As Brian Mann reports, the campaign is being shaped by deep public anger over gridlock in Albany.  Go to full article