Albany, NY, Jun 04, 2009 — There's unlikely to be any agreement on reforming the state's troubled ethics commission until the fall, now that Governor Paterson has agree to allow the Assembly to hold hearings on the matter, a process that could take months. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 03, 2009 — The State Senate approved sweeping changes to the Rockfeller drug laws last night as a part of the state budget. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Oct 28, 2008 — Senator Darrel Aubertine raised almost a quarter of a million dollars in the last three weeks. And he spent nearly that amount. That's according to the latest campaign finance data filed on Friday. Aubertine, a Democrat, is locked in a fierce race with Republican David Renzi for the 48th Senate seat. Renzi raised more than $155,000 over the same time period. He spent $137,000. Both men received most of the money from their respective state party committees. The only poll in the race showed Aubertine with a 20% lead in late September. The big infusion of cash to Aubertine's campaign suggests that lead may have tightened. The Aubertine-Renzi race will be watched closely across New York. It could determine which party controls the State Senate next year. Republicans are clinging to a one-seat edge. Negative attack ads and accusations have dominated the race. Today we begin the first of two interviews with the candidates. David Renzi, the Republican challenger, is a prosecutor and former public defender in Watertown. He's never held public office. Renzi's waged an aggressive campaign as an outsider who wants to bring reform to Albany. He won the endorsement of the Syracuse Post-Standard newspaper. Renzi told David Sommerstein his first priority is to lower taxes.  Go to full article

Jun 25, 2008 — 50 years ago, the Moses-Saunders power dam began producing electricity from the St. Lawrence River in Massena. It forever changed the North Country's environment, economy, and culture. The dam also gave birth to a state-owned utility called the New York Power Authority. Today, NYPA owns 18 generating plants and is one of the most politically powerful authorities in New York. It's developed a reputation for secrecy and patronage. There are widespread calls for NYPA's reform. Yesterday, the Power Authority celebrated 50 years of harnessing the waters of the St. Lawrence in a small event on the middle of the dam. As David Sommerstein reports, it was a ceremony full of contradictions.  Go to full article

Dec 06, 2007 — State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo unveiled a new website Wednesday that he says will help the public become more informed on what their government is doing, and hopefully, restore some public trust. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Jul 09, 2007 — As tensions and accusations escalated this week between Governor Eliot Spitzer and Senate Leader Joe Bruno, what got lost in the debate was the original issue that was raised; should politicians use taxpayer-funded state aircraft to attend fundraisers? Karen De Witt reports.  Go to full article

May 14, 2007 — Gov. Eliot Spitzer says he's not giving up on his fight to convince the legislature to enact campaign finace reform. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

May 03, 2007 — There's been some bitter rhetoric this week at the State Capitol, between Governor Eliot Spitzer and Republicans in the State Senate, over campaign finance practices. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 25, 2007 — Governor Eliot Spitzer followed through on a promise to visit the districts of Senators who have refused to agree to campaign finance reform. He began in Schenectady, in the district of Senator Hugh Farley, a 15-term Republican. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Apr 24, 2007 — Governor Spitzer put pressure on the legislature to pass a campaign finance reform bill, on the day known as Reform Day at the Capitol. But the governor met resistance and as the day ended, there was no agreement.  Go to full article