Albany, NY, Feb 02, 2012 — The state Senate has emphatically passed legislation that would expand New York's criminal DNA database. The bill would require people convicted of all crimes, including misdemeanors, to submit DNA samples to the state's DNA databank. Currently, only someone convicted of a felony, or certain types of misdemeanors, is required to submit a DNA sample.

Senators voted 50-10 Tuesday to pass the DNA Databank Expansion Bill. As Chris Morris reports, the bill has a lot support, but it could be tested in the Assembly.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2012 — Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is continuing to push for his bill to increase the state's minimum wage. The Speaker is also expressing reservations about Governor Cuomo's plan to offer an option of 401k-style retirement plans for future state workers. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Syracuse, NY, Feb 01, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo is leaning on New York's network of public colleges to play a bigger role in economic growth and he's proposing to provide the resources to do so.

But there could stiff competition for those funds, as the Innovation Trail's Ryan Delaney reports.  Go to full article

Buffalo, NY, Feb 01, 2012 — The Roswell Park Cancer Institute relies on $100 million in taxpayer funding each year. Governor Cuomo wants to zero out that budget line for the Buffalo research facility by 2014.

As the Innovation Trail's Daniel Robison reports, Roswell officials accept that state funding will likely be reduced. They fanned out through Albany this week trying to work out the best deal possible.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 31, 2012 — The Legislative task force on redistricting held its first meeting Monday since new proposed maps were released. Lawmakers heard numerous accusations that the new lines were "gerrymandered." And as Karen DeWitt reports, they say the proposed maps are not set in stone.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 30, 2012 — A one paragraph clause in Governor Cuomo's budget has caused some concern among state lawmakers over the separation of powers between the governor and the legislature. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 30, 2012 — Governor Cuomo is lending some support to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver's proposal to raise the pay of state legislators. But, as Karen DeWitt reports, the governor says now might not be the best time.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 26, 2012 — Governor Cuomo's budget director faced some tough questions yesterday, as he testified before a legislative hearing. Lawmakers grilled Robert Megna on the defined benefit pension system for state workers the governor has proposed. Karen Dewitt has this report from Albany.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 25, 2012 — Mayors from across the state came to the Capitol to testify to a joint legislative fiscal committee on Governor Cuomo's proposed budget. While New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg went out of his way to offer support to the governor and for his budget plan, upstate mayors cities begged for a bail out.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 24, 2012 — County leaders around the North Country have been asking the state for mandate relief, especially since New York imposed a 2% property tax cap on local governments last year. Their biggest beef is paying for Medicaid. It accounts for the largest percentage of many county budgets, and many county leaders don't think those costs should be their responsibility.

The governor's budget proposal offers some assistance with local Medicaid costs. The administration has been fanning out around the state, trying to sell the plan he released last week. And Cuomo has gotten some support from north country state legislators. But county leaders aren't as pleased.  Go to full article