Rensselaer, NY, Dec 19, 2012 — Newly elected Senate Democratic Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says she feels a great sense of "responsibility", having finally broken a barrier as the first female legislative leader in state history.

Senator Stewart-Cousins, who says she hopes to "do the Democratic conference proud", admits that it's something of a disappointment to likely have Minority Leader status when the Senate meets again in January.  Go to full article

Nov 07, 2012 — Republican Janet Duprey swept the 115th Assembly race last night, beating back Conservative challenger Karen Bisso and Democrat Tim Carpenter. She won 52 percent of the vote.

The incumbent Republican will return to Albany next year, representing Clinton, Franklin, and part of St. Lawrence counties. While last night's victory was decisive, the campaign wasn't easy.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Oct 26, 2012 — This election will determine whether Democrats or Republicans control the state Senate in the next term, and it could come down to just a few hundred votes in a small number of key Senate contests. Not surprisingly, both sides are hopeful they'll win.  Go to full article

Burlington, VT, Mar 02, 2012 — "Politics" are different in Vermont's largest city. Since 1985, a successful third party, the Progressive party, has dominated local government there. Progressive voters essentially sent Sen. Bernie Sanders to Congress after re-electing him mayor of Burlington for successive terms.

But for the first time in almost 30 years, there's no Progressive running for mayor this year.

Paul Heintz covers politics for 7 Days, an alternative weekly newspaper based in Burlington. He says this race isn't so much about issues as personalities and shifting loyalties. And he says that even though there's no Progressive on the ballot, those votes will still make a difference.

He told Sarah Harris there's a history of bad blood between Progressives and Democrats, and this race is a bit of a turf battle.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, NY, Sep 15, 2011 — While many are portraying the outcome of New York's 9th Congressional district race as a message to President Obama, a New York based pollster and political analyst says it's more complicated than that. Karen DeWitt has more.  Go to full article

Rensselaer, 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

Washington, DC, May 11, 2011 — Yesterday, President Obama took his pitch to overall the nation's immigration laws to the Mexican border. In El Paso, Obama said he's exceeded Republican demands for improved border security. He said now it's time for them to work on immigration reform.

Today, there are at least hundreds of Mexican and Central American men and women working illegally on North Country dairy farms. Last month, a Jefferson County farmer was arrested by federal agents for employing undocumented workers.

For the dairy industry, the biggest problem with current immigration laws is one called H2A. It's a guest worker program, but dairy farmers are not eligible to use it. A bill introduced by Congressman Bill Owens would change that. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Ogdensburg, NY, Apr 22, 2011 — Congress is out of session. That means representatives are criss-crossing their districts to talk with constituents. Coming off a town hall meeting Wednesday night in Plattsburgh, Democrat Bill Owens made several stops yesterday in St. Lawrence County.
He visited the chamber of commerce in Canton, spoke to a rotary club in Ogdensburg, and met with seniors at a nursing center in Massena. While on the road, Owens spoke with David Sommerstein.
When Owens returns to Washington, he'll face what's expected to be a divisive debate over next year's federal budget and raising the nation's debt ceiling. Owens has said he's likely to vote in favor of raising the debt ceiling.  Go to full article

Dec 10, 2010 — When New York's legislature convenes next session, Republicans will once again hold a razor-thin majority in the state Senate. That could give the North Country more influence at the capitol. All three North Country senators, Joe Griffo, Patty Ritchie, and Betty Little, are Republicans.

The stronger North Country voice comes as important decisions are being made, decisions that will have deep impact in the region: funding for healthcare and schools and the future of state facilities like prions and Sunmount.
Martha Foley spoke with Brian Mann about the coming shift in power.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Sep 03, 2010 — Conservative Republican Doug Hoffman says he will continue his fight to win the 23rd district House seat, even if he loses the GOP primary later this month.

Hoffman will appear on the Conservative Party ballot line and says he's promised to continue campaigning against Republican Matt Doheny and Democrat Bill Owens.

As Brian Mann reports, the decision has infuriated many Republican leaders.

And it raises questions about the Republican Party's ability to take back a seat that had been a GOP stronghold since before the Civil War.  Go to full article