Jun 18, 2013 — As New York's legislative session wraps up this week, some of the major issues we've been hearing about for the last while remain unresolved, and it's looking like at least some of them aren't going to get resolved in this session.

Of course bills often come together and pass the legislature at the last moment, so what's going to happen in the next couple days is anyone's guess. But how is all of this happening? Turns out it's much more complicated, and less transparent, than what you might remember from Schoolhouse Rock.  Go to full article

Jun 18, 2013 — There's three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in the Women's Equality Act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures.

Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied.  Go to full article

Jun 17, 2013 — There are only four days left in the legislative session, and so far no agreements have been reached between Governor Cuomo and the legislature on major issues like campaign finance reform or a women's equality act.  Go to full article

Jun 14, 2013 — Members of the new York legislature's Black and Hispanic caucus and their allies are making a last minute push for a bill to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of marijuana.

In Albany yesterday, they charged the current laws unfairly target young black and Latino men.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2013 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo released legislation outlining his plan for tax-free zones Monday after spending a week in May touring upstate to build support for the proposal.

"I mean no taxes. That's what I mean when I say tax free - no business tax, no corporate tax, no franchise fee, no income tax," Cuomo told officials at the University at Buffalo.

Under the measure, any new business that sets up on or near a SUNY campus, or at selected private universities or state-owned properties will pay no taxes for up to ten years. After five years, high-wage earners will have to pay income taxes. The locations are mostly upstate.

The plan has come under fire from all sides.  Go to full article

Jun 13, 2013 — It's getting down to the wire for major pieces of legislation still pending in Albany. As the end of session approaches in Albany, there are no agreements yet on a number of hot-button issues, including women's rights and campaign finance reform.

But that's not unusual in a government where last minute deals are part of the routine.  Go to full article

Jun 12, 2013 — With just over a week left in the legislative session, Governor Cuomo released his bill to extend public financing of political campaigns to statewide races. But he still faces resistance from some factions within the legislature.  Go to full article

Jun 11, 2013 — Women's groups are putting pressure on the state Senate's ruling coalition to take up Governor Cuomo's Women's Equality Act, which includes an abortion rights provision.  Go to full article

Jun 10, 2013 — Governor Cuomo faces perhaps his biggest challenge yet as the end of his third legislative session rapidly approaches.

His poll numbers are falling, his agenda is in danger, and there's some question of whether Cuomo can pull it off.  Go to full article

Jun 07, 2013 — New York farmers are closely watching the fate of a bill in Albany that would cap assessments of their land at a two percent increase per year. That's compared to the current 10 percent per year.

Agricultural land is assessed according to the crops growing on it. And corn and soybean prices have been soaring. But lots of farmers might not see profits from those high prices, and many say they're paying a lot more in taxes, without taking in a lot more money.  Go to full article