Washington, DC, Mar 12, 2013 — The union representing border patrol agents says it's being unfairly targeted for spending cuts under the sequester, and that there will be less of a law enforcement presence along the North Country's border with Canada.  Go to full article

Ray Brook, NY, Mar 01, 2013 — The sequester is upon us and Federal workers at facilities are bracing for across-the-board cuts that begin phasing in tomorrow. Tensions are particularly high in the country's Federal prison system.

Two different congressional reports released in the last year found that inmate overcrowding at Federal prisons like the one in Ray Brook, near Saranac Lake,
has already made it difficult for guards to maintain safety behind bars.

Attorney General Eric Holder says furloughing more corrections officers could make safety problems even worse.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Mar 01, 2013 — North Country Congressman Bill Owens says the impact of cuts at the federal prison in Ray Brook is on his mind. He says officials there will have some discretion as far as where to cut. "I'm counting on management in those circumstances," says Owens, "to make sure that they do their furloughing in such a way that they do manage this for the safety of the officers and obviously the prisoners."

Owens held a telephone press conference yesterday afternoon to discuss the impacts of the across-the-board federal cuts known as the sequester. The Democrat says the standoff in Washington may only change if the public feels some pain.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 28, 2013 — With just three weeks and one day to go before a state budget deadline, Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders met to assess how far they have to go to reach a deal.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 21, 2013 — Governor Cuomo says he will make changes to his budget in 30-day amendments. These include imposing a teacher evaluation plan on New York City, and cutting the cost of hunting licenses.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 14, 2013 — An argument's erupted between Albany's two top number-crunchers.
The state comptroller's office has concerns about the governor's proposed budget.
But the governor's budget director says the comptroller's staff has got it wrong.

The dispute underscores existing tensions between the two offices.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Feb 06, 2013 — Governor Cuomo broke little new ground during a stop in Potsdam yesterday. In a speech at Clarkson University, he revisited the themes of his State of the State message from last month, often word for word.

But what mattered most to local leaders is that he was there.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 28, 2013 — In testimony before a legislative hearing in Albany, New York City mayor Mike Bloomberg sharply criticized Governor Cuomo's proposal to deny city schools a $240 million education aid increase because the Mayor and the teachers unions failed to meet a deadline to complete a teacher evaluation plan.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 28, 2013 — Governor Cuomo is trying to have a no-drama budget this year, with a low-key presentation and a fiscally austere spending plan, with no major cuts or new taxes.

But growing opposition from the teachers' union and local governments may yet result in some sparks flying before the deal is settled in late March.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 23, 2013 — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo unveiled a $142 billion state budget, that includes federal aid for post-Superstorm Sandy recovery, and closes a $1.3 billion budget gap.

Gov. Cuomo, facing his third lean fiscal year as governor, closes that gap by holding spending flat for state agencies, which he estimates will save $434 million, and putting off a cost of living increase for health care providers, worth $412 million.  Go to full article