Albany, NY, Apr 14, 2011 — New York State Senate Democrats are trying to put majority party Republicans on the spot over ethics reform. They are demanding permission from the GOP for hearings on various proposals. Karen DeWitt has more.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Apr 01, 2011 — Before Governor Cuomo and state lawmakers could even complete a victory lap over the on - time state budget, there's already talk at the State Capitol about what's next on the agenda. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 18, 2011 — The process of redrawing lawmakers' districts based on new census figures can be one of the most vicious activities in politics. Governor Cuomo wants to take politics out of the process. He has introduced a bill that would create a bi- partisan panel to redraw legislative and congressional district lines. But so far, leaders in the State Senate and Assembly are non-committal. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Feb 11, 2011 — Tensions over an ethics reform bill that's being negotiated in private between Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders spilled into the open this week, as finger pointing began over which side was holding up the legislation. Karen Dewitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 25, 2011 — New York State has a new health commissioner. Dr. Nirav Shah previously ran a rural health system in Pennsylvania, and he has a record of reforming large health care systems.

Speaking after his swearing in yesterday, he said his first task is to preside over the organization of the state's most expensive in the nation Medicaid system.
Karen DeWitt reports:  Go to full article

Gouverneur, NY, Jan 05, 2011 — Governor Andrew Cuomo's office announced yesterday afternoon that former North Country Assemblywoman Dede Scozzafava will serve as Deputy Secretary for Local Government in his Department of State.

In that role, Scozzafava could find herself at the center of some of Albany's biggest debates over the next year.

Cuomo campaigned on "reform in Albany." And he promised to push for the downsizing and consolidation of local governments across New York.

One of the new administration's top agenda items is a 2 percent property tax cap for local governments and school districts.

Speaking yesterday to the Watertown Daily Times, Scozzafava said she was "very excited to work with the Cuomo administration as he sets forward to rejuvenate this state."

Scozzafava, a Republican, has been hugely popular in her Assembly district, but is also a controversial figure in North Country politics.

She dropped out of a 2009 special election for the 23rd district House seat after facing stiff opposition from Conservative candidate Doug Hoffman.
She later endorsed Democrat Bill Owens in that race, and again in his reelection bid this fall. She also endorsed Cuomo in his gubernatorial campaign.  Go to full article

Jan 03, 2011 — Andrew Cuomo is now New York's 56th Governor. In a simple ceremony before around 200 family, friends, and top aides at the State Capitol, he vowed to restore trust in government. Karen DeWitt was there.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 30, 2010 — Governor-elect Andrew Cuomo made reform one of his key campaign promises, a pledge he repeated when he claimed victory with 63% of the vote on election night in November.

"The mandate tonight is to clean up Albany," Cuomo told a room crowded cheering supporters, "...and to have elected officials who represent the people of this state, and not the special interests and not the lobbyists."

Our Albany correspondent Karen DeWitt looks at how he might accomplish that.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Dec 14, 2009 — Governor David Paterson signed into law legislation to reform the state's public authorities, a measure he says will shed "sunlight" onto what has been a dark corner of government. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Sep 11, 2009 — The New York State Senate met in a special one day session yesterday. The senators approved Governor Paterson's choice to head the MTA. But the Senate, still closely divided after a bitter leadership standoff in June, failed to pass ethics reform, and stayed away from other more controversial measures, including the state's budget deficit. And there was some drama. Karen DeWitt was there.  Go to full article