Jun 19, 2013 — Women's groups say they have not given up on abortion rights bill passing in the final days of the session, now that New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has introduced the Women's Equality Act as 10 separate bills.

Tracey Brooks, with Family Planning Advocates, says women's groups are asking Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos to bring the abortion rights measure to the floor as a standalone bill. Brooks says Skelos, pledged two years ago to allow what's known as a vote of conscience on social issues where Senators are divided.  Go to full article

Jun 04, 2013 — There are three weeks to go in New York State's legislative session. Advocates are pushing hard for two of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's agenda items: translating the federal abortion rights in the Roe v. Wade decision into state law, and enacting public financing of statewide political campaigns.

The governor, meanwhile, is focusing on his proposal to bring tax free zones to upstate public college campuses.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 30, 2013 — A rift is appearing in the New York State Senate's new bipartisan leadership coalition. Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says he's strongly opposed to Gov. Cuomo's reproductive health act, saying it would lead to too many late term abortions.

Pro-choice lawmakers and advocates say they disagree with the Senator's interpretation. And the leading Democrat in the leadersship council has been a strong supporter of the act.  Go to full article

Albany, NY, Jan 29, 2013 — Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos says he's strongly opposed to Governor Cuomo's Reproductive Health Act. He says it would lead to too many late-term abortions.  Go to full article

Ogdensburg, NY, Feb 29, 2012 — Yesterday we began a conversation about social issues that are in play during this election year, ranging from contraception to prenatal testing to the role of religion in politics and public life. Catholic bishops across the country are working to defeat laws requiring that insurance coverage provided by religious groups include services like contraception and vasectomies.

Polls show that the vast majority of American families, including Catholics to use contraception. But in a conversation with Brian Mann yesterday, Bishop Terry LaValley of Ogdensburg said the church's opposition to contraception is firm.

"Because it's a fundamental teaching of our faith. It's a question of life, of the preservation of life."

LaValley said requiring faith groups to offer insurance coverage for services like contraception and vasectomies amounts to "an attack on religious freedom."

The Rev. Laurena Will has been pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Ogdensburg for seven years, and an ordained minister for 20. Her church owns the building that houses the Ogdensburg Planned Parenthood Clinic. Martha Foley spoke with her yesterday. Will sees the insurance mandate and the religious freedom issue that rises from it; from a very different perspective.  Go to full article