Jun 19, 2013 — A senior Cuomo administration official says Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders struck a late night deal to authorize four upstate casinos and to allow votes on 10 separate women's rights bills including an abortion proposal that appeared to have been blocked in the Senate.

According to the Associated Press, the official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the deal was scheduled to be announced today.

And legislative spokesmen immediately disputed some elements of the agreement.

Michael Whyland, spokesman for the Assembly's Democratic majority, says the chamber still plans to vote and approve all 10 items as a single bill. A Senate Republican official late Tuesday night said there was no commitment to bring the abortion bill to the floor.

The reported deal came after several arrests at the state Capitol.
Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that hopes faded for the progressive agenda.

Karen DeWitt was at the capitol yesterday.  Go to full article

Jun 19, 2013 — Legislation proposed in Albany would let Adirondack Health run a part-time emergency room in Lake Placid.

The plan is seen as a possible compromise between a hospital looking to cut costs and a community wanting to keep its ER. But the state nurses' association has condemned the proposal.  Go to full article

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