Albany, NY, Apr 27, 2011 — College students from around the state concerned about the natural gas extraction process known as hydro fracking presented Governor Andrew Cuomo's office with petitions to study the practice more carefully. From Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 21, 2011 — Advocates for same sex marriage are launching an all out effort to legalize gay marriage in New York before the legislative session ends. And they're getting a big assist from Governor Andrew Cuomo. Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 18, 2011 — Former New York city Mayor Ed Koch last week launched robocall attacks on state legislators, many of them Senate Republicans. Koch says they have violated a pledge they signed to back non-partisan redistricting.
As Karen DeWitt reports, it's not just the Republicans who are wary of changes to the way New York designs its legislative and congressional district lines.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 15, 2011 — Governor Cuomo spoke publicly about the success of his first union contract for the first time yesterday. He warned the larger state worker unions not to expect much more from their bargaining agreements. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Castorland, NY, Apr 14, 2011 — Across the North Country, school districts are wrestling with deep cuts to their budgets - the result of Albany's efforts to rein in billions of dollars in deficit spending.

Governor Cuomo has stood firm on his belief schools have the finances to absorb a $1.2 billion cut in education funding. But those cuts are hitting rural school districts especially hard. Educators blame a byzantine and outdated school funding formula. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 14, 2011 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo and one of New York State's biggest unions have agreed to labor concessions in the first major union contract of the year. The deal includes a pay freeze for three years and other concessions.

Cuomo praised the Agency Law Enforcement Services unit of Council 82 for sharing in the sacrifice of a state fiscal crisis. A union leader says the deal is in the best interest of members and taxpayers. Karen DeWitt has more on the deal the governor calls "a model."  Go to full article

Castorland, NY, Apr 13, 2011 — The latest Siena College poll found Governor Cuomo enjoying the support of near three-quarters of New Yorkers even after his austerity budget cut $1.2 billion to schools. Now reality's setting in as districts finalize their budget plans. And in many North Country districts, the news is ugly, with teacher layoffs and program cuts the norm.

The news is so bad, students themselves are fighting back. Today we have two stories from opposite ends of the region. We start in Croghan in Lewis County, where the Beaver River school district may cut or reduce a third of its staff, including several music and art teachers. Students organized a talent show last night to raise money. David Sommerstein was there.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 13, 2011 — Republicans in New York's Senate and Assembly are pushing Assembly Democrats to approve Gov. Andrew Cuomo's two percent across the board property tax cap for schools and local governments.

Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos and Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb say they're circulating a petition to get average citizens to pressure Democrats in the Assembly to allow an up or down vote on proposed cap. Skelos says the Senate approved Cuomo's plan on January 31, now it's the Assembly's turn. Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 12, 2011 — State lawmakers are working on a deal that could strengthen protections for people living in New York City's rent-controlled apartments while also capping the growth of property taxes upstate. Speaker Sheldon Silver says his house will act on a property tax cap, but it's not likely to happen before lawmakers take a two week break. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 12, 2011 — A new Siena College poll finds a strong majority of New Yorkers support Governor Cuomo austerity budget, despite its deep cuts to local schools and hospitals. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article