Albany, NY, Jun 17, 2009 — After Democrats lost their majority last week in the state Senate, it was revealed that Republicans had been laying the groundwork for a coup for more than a month. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Cape Vincent, NY, May 20, 2009 — Groups on both sides of the same sex marriage debate are lobbying hard in Albany. All eyes are on a handful of state senators whose vote could make the difference on the Marriage Equality Act already passed by the Assembly. State Democratic Party chairwoman June O'Neill says the bill "is very much in play" and could be brought to a vote before Albany recesses for summer. The New York Daily News Daily Politics blog reported yesterday that Senate Majority leader Malcolm Smith is counting heads and may be close to having enough votes to pass the bill. One head he's not counting on is that of North Country Senator Darrel Aubertine. The Democrat from Cape Vincent is against same-sex marriage, but has been quiet on the issue lately. Yesterday, he spoke with David Sommerstein, who reports some of Aubertine's biggest supporters in St. Lawrence County are trying to change his mind.  Go to full article

May 14, 2009 — The state's controversial Empire Zone program, which gives tax incentives to businesses, is set to expire next year. It's been beset by mismanagement, spiraling costs, and underperformance in job creation. Senate Democrats this week announced a new task force to overhaul the Empire Zone program. North Country officials agree the program isn't working, especially for rural parts of Upstate New York. But they worry the alternative may be...nothing. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

May 13, 2009 — As we heard in Karen DeWitt's story - this is not the first time New York's Assembly has debated -- or passed -- a same sex marriage bill. But Democratic control of the Senate gives yesterday's vote new significance - and there were both somber and fiery moments as the Assembly members rose to speak. Martha Foley talks with Brian Mann about how the votes of North Country representatives in the Assembly and Senate factor into the changing dynamics.  Go to full article

Feb 26, 2009 — State Senator Darrel Aubertine will head the state's legislative Commission on Rural Resources. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Dec 17, 2008 — Governor Paterson's budget plan envisions shifting a huge chunk of the budget from state income taxes to local property taxes. Martha Foley has more on that and reaction from North Country school administrators, local leaders and elected representatives.  Go to full article

Dec 09, 2008 — North Country Senator Darrel Aubertine has been tapped to chair the Senate Agriculture Committee. His position was the first to be announced at today's press conference with incoming Senate majority leader Malcolm Smith. Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors of New York's economy. Aubertine is the only active farmer in the state legislature. He owns a dairy farm in Cape Vincent in Jefferson County. Aubertine told David Sommerstein the post was his first choice for a leadership position. He said it allows him to help set the agenda for one of the biggest sectors of the state economy.  Go to full article

Nov 10, 2008 — Voters last week ended a dynasty in Albany. After more than 40 years, Republicans will no longer be in control of the Senate...probably. Reports of power struggles persist. Martha Foley spoke with capitol correspondent Karen DeWitt about the new power structure.  Go to full article

Nov 05, 2008 — One of the most closely watched races statewide was the 48th Senate district in Oswego, Jefferson, and St. Lawrence counties. Democratic Senator Darrel Aubertine defeated his Republican challenger, David Renzi - 53 to 47%. Aubertine joins the new majority in the Senate. It's the second time in less than a year that he pulled off a victory in a Republican stronghold. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2008 — Senator Darrel Aubertine raised almost a quarter of a million dollars in the last three weeks. And he spent nearly that amount. That's according to the latest campaign finance data filed on Friday. Aubertine, a Democrat, is locked in a fierce race with Republican David Renzi for the 48th Senate seat. Renzi raised more than $155,000 over the same time period. He spent $137,000. Both men received most of the money from their respective state party committees. The only poll in the race showed Aubertine with a 20% lead in late September. The big infusion of cash to Aubertine's campaign suggests that lead may have tightened. The Aubertine-Renzi race will be watched closely across New York. It could determine which party controls the State Senate next year. Republicans are clinging to a one-seat edge. Negative attack ads and accusations have dominated the race. Today we begin the first of two interviews with the candidates. David Renzi, the Republican challenger, is a prosecutor and former public defender in Watertown. He's never held public office. Renzi's waged an aggressive campaign as an outsider who wants to bring reform to Albany. He won the endorsement of the Syracuse Post-Standard newspaper. Renzi told David Sommerstein his first priority is to lower taxes.  Go to full article