Albany, NY, Apr 19, 2012 — Democrats in the State Senate held a forum promoting a hike in the state's minimum wage, while a conservative group says there's already a government program in place that boosts the earnings of low wage workers well above the current minimum standard. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 16, 2012 — The overnight session of the state legislature this week, where pension reform and other items were passed after weeks of contention, has left public worker unions, and even some lawmakers, fuming. Meanwhile Governor Cuomo says it had be done that way. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has more:  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 14, 2012 — Public worker unions have gone on the offensive against Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed new pension tier, invoking class warfare. Meanwhile the governor is warning that if there's no resolution, thousands of local government employees will be laid off.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Mar 07, 2012 — Legislative leaders spoke to a large gathering of AFSCME public union members at the Capitol Tuesday.

The union is strongly opposed to Governor Cuomo's pension reform plans--during the demonstration, it ran a radio ad that said politicians are trying to "stick it" to working people instead of making Wall Street and big corporations pay their fair share.

The legislators offered support to the workers--but remained neutral on the pension plan issue. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 28, 2012 — Governor Andrew Cuomo took a step back Monday from his proposal to give new state workers the option of defined contribution 401k-style retirement plan. But the governor says without pension reform, local governments in New York could end up "bankrupt." Karen DeWitt has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 15, 2012 — Ask just about any politician these days, and he'll likely tell you that a big part of his job is to create jobs. So how does the government do that? Here in New York, Industrial Development Agencies are one of main job creation mechanisms for local communities.

The Innovation Trail's Marie Cusick explains how these obscure economic development tools work, and just how much it can cost taxpayers when they don't work.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 10, 2012 — With just six weeks left in the state's fiscal year, the Cuomo Administration has still not settled labor contracts with some significant public worker's unions. These include the state's corrections officers, and professors and other staff in the State University System. Karen DeWitt has this report.  Go to full article

Feb 01, 2012 — Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is continuing to push for his bill to increase the state's minimum wage. The Speaker is also expressing reservations about Governor Cuomo's plan to offer an option of 401k-style retirement plans for future state workers. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 18, 2012 — Gov. Andrew Cuomo delivered a budget yesterday that he says is honest, no gimmicks or one-shots, and manageable. It closes a $2 billion deficit, raises health care and education spending and begins mandate relief for local governments. It also tackles pension reform, and offers an ultimatum to schools to accept a teacher evaluation program or lose out on an increase in state aid. And Cuomo promises no new taxes.

The governor again took sharp aim at what he called the status quo in Albany, demonizing some of its most powerful public labor unions. We have details and reaction this morning, starting with our Albany reporter, Karen DeWitt.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 18, 2012 — Gov. Cuomo now turns his spending plan over to the legislature. Some of Albany's most powerful interests are gearing up for a fight. During the address yesterday, Cuomo again took aim at what he calls the status quo in Albany, demonizing some of its most powerful labor unions.

Cuomo admitted the reforms he envisions will be wrenching, but he said the people will be supportive. He called it "the people's agenda."

North Country representatives were generally supportive yesterday. Martha Foley has reaction to Cuomo's proposals on pension reform, relief for county Medicaid costs, and education.  Go to full article