Albany, NY, Sep 26, 2011 — The latest Democrat-Republican stalemate over federal spending has put FEMA disaster assistance funding in jeopardy. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has joined with three other governors in a bipartisan appeal for Congress to put aside "politics", and free up disaster assistance funds for recovery following tropical storms Irene and Lee. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 26, 2011 — Governor Cuomo says he's not changing his position on a threat to veto any legislative and congressional redistricting lines not drawn by an independent commission. But as Karen DeWitt reports, the co-chair of a legislative commission on redistricting remains skeptical that Cuomo will follow through.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 23, 2011 — Early this morning the U.S. House passed a new version of a stopgap spending bill that would provide disaster cleanup money, and prevent the government from shutting down in a week. The Republican-run House rejected a nearly identical version on Wednesday.

The bill provides $3.7 billion for victims of Hurricane Irene and other disasters. To make up for the spending, Republican leaders cut funding for a program to encourage fuel-efficient vehicles.

The North Country Congressional delegation split on the vote. And speaking yesterday at a farm ravaged by recent flooding, Gov. Andrew Cuomo called for an end to what he called the political games.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 23, 2011 — Following recent criticism, Governor Cuomo has launched a new website aimed at making his administration more transparent to the public.

The site lists events from his public schedule since taking office in January, and will feature on-line chats with top state officials, including the Governor himself, this coming Saturday. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the story:  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 22, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo Thursday announced the state will distribute $2.4 million from the Agricultural and Community Recovery Fund, to help New York's agricultural communities recover from Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee.  Go to full article

Sep 22, 2011 — School boards and leaders of some counties in New York are already saying they may need to override the newly enacted 2% property tax cap.

They say there might not be enough money to pay for flood damage from two tropical storms and mandated state programs if they don't override the new tax limit. As Karen DeWitt reports, there is a way to override the tax cap--but it's not simple:  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 21, 2011 — A new poll on several current issues, finds more New Yorkers support hydrofracking in the Marcellus shale region of upstate New York--and that the majority thinks expanding casino gambling in the state is a good idea. Karen DeWitt has the details:  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 21, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo is the most popular governor in the nation, according to a new poll that gives Cuomo high marks for his handling of the storms Irene and Lee.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 20, 2011 — Governor Cuomo is asking the federal government for more money to help victims of flooding by Irene and Lee. He's also begun a temporary jobs program for unemployed New Yorkers to work on flood cleanup and rebuilding. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 19, 2011 — Advocacy groups say it's now likely that New York State will miss another deadline to get federal funding to implement the new health care law, as the State Senate expresses some grave doubts about implementing parts of a program that's identified with President Obama at this time. Karen DeWitt has more:  Go to full article