Albany, NY, Jun 20, 2011 — A vote in the State Senate on gay marriage is not expected until sometime this week, as Republicans, who hold the majority in that house, wrangle with concerns over greater protections for religious organizations.

As Karen DeWitt reports, last week was one of ups and downs for both supporters and opponents of same sex marriage.  Go to full article

Saranac Lake, NY, Jun 20, 2011 — Clyde Rabideau has emerged as one of the North Country's most enduring, colorful and sometimes controversial politicians. Rabideau was mayor of Plattsburgh for a decade in the 1990s and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 1998.

Sixteen months ago, the Democrat was elected mayor of Saranac Lake, the largest community in the Adirondack Park. His latest adventure in politics has been marked by some big successes, including a public campaign to convince the Trudeau Institute to keep its laboratories in Saranac Lake.

But he has also clashed publicly and fiercely with other leaders in the North Country and his brash style is sparking criticism. Brian Mann sat down to talk in-depth with Rabideau and has our profile.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 17, 2011 — With the official legislative session set to end on the 20th, lawmakers at the Capitol remain mired in disputes Thursday over a bill to legalize gay marriage, the now-expired New York City rent regulations, and a property tax cap. Meanwhile, an increasingly frustrated Governor Andrew Cuomo threatened to keep the legislature in special session if they failed to act.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 17, 2011 — This week, it's been all about same sex marriage in Albany. Supporters, led by Governor Cuomo, have been lobbying hard for a vote in the State Senate. Now they're one vote shy of passage.

According to a Siena College poll this week, 55% of New Yorkers support legalizing same sex marriage. Sarah Harris chatted with shoppers in Ogdensburg to get their opinions.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 16, 2011 — The State Senate is now just one vote short on gay marriage--but it has delayed for at least one more day a decision on whether to bring the bill to the floor for a vote.

Senate Republicans met on the issue today in a closed-door session. But those lengthy deliberations came as New York City's rent laws were due to expire at midnight.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 15, 2011 — A bill legalizing gay marriage appears to need just one more vote to win approval in the state Senate. Republican Senator Roy McDonald said yesterday he supports the bill. Advocates say the bill contains language sought by Republicans that protects religious organizations from being forced to marry gay couples. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 15, 2011 — There's just four full days left in the legislative session, and still no agreement on a property tax cap or the renewal of New York City's rent laws, two issues that state lawmakers have tied together. The rent laws expire at the end of the day Wednesday, and time is running out. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 14, 2011 — Monday and Tuesday, five more senators said they'd vote yes on a Gay Marriage bill...and Governor Cuomo said he'd put it to the legislature.

There are now 31 yes votes in the Senate for gay marriage, after GOP Senator Roy McDonald of Saratoga announced late Tuesday afternoon that he'll vote yes. Meanwhile, advocates and opponents of same sex marriage worked the halls of the Capitol Tuesday, as the State Senate stands just two votes shy of passing same sex marriage in New York.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 14, 2011 — There were some major developments on a bill to allow gay marriage in New York, as four more Senators now say they will vote yes, and Governor Andrew Cuomo has decided to send a bill to the legislature.

With more Democrats now backing the measure and Senate Republicans meeting to discuss the issue today, North Country Senator Betty Little still says she'll vote No.

Karen DeWitt has our story.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jun 13, 2011 — State worker unions are decrying Governor Cuomo's plan to begin laying off nearly 10,000 state employees as early as next month. It was a week of bad news for unions, as governor Cuomo released a plan to restrict future pensions, and quietly announced the closing down of some state facilities. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article