Rensselaer, 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

Rensselaer, 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

Rensselaer, 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

Rensselaer, 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

Rensselaer, 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

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 13, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo says he'll introduce a bill to crack down on texting while driving, with new punishments and penalties. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 10, 2011 — Governor Cuomo has introduced a bill to raise tuition at state colleges by up to five percent per year and university centers by eight percent. SUNY and many business leaders are heralding the proposal. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 10, 2011 — A government reform group is seeking more disclosure by so-called third party interest groups. Common Cause says they're spending more and more to influence public opinion on policy issues like property taxes and school spending.

Common Cause's Sue Lerner says there's a worrisome and growing trend of millions of dollars of television and social media advertising from third party interest groups with what she called misleading names - like the Committee to Save New York, the Alliance for Quality Education and New Yorkers for Fiscal Fairness. Martha Foley has more.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 09, 2011 — The New York State Senate is expected to vote on an ethics package when it returns from a break on Monday.

Some government reform advocates say the structure of a new ethics commission, agreed on by Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders , may make it harder to actually investigate public corruption.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Jun 09, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo has introduced a new pension reform bill that would save money by offering diminished pension benefits to future state employees. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article