<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?>
<rss version="2.0" xmlns:npr="http://www.npr.org/rss/" xmlns:georss="http://www.georss.org/georss"><channel>
<title>Regional political news from North Country Public Radio, including features from NY capital correspondent Karen DeWitt</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org</link>
<description>Latest North Country Public Radio regional news by topic. Topic=politics.</description>
<language>en-us</language>
<copyright>&#x2117; &amp; &#xA9; 2013, North Country Public Radio</copyright>
<docs>http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss</docs>
<ttl>60</ttl>
<managingEditor>radio@ncpr.org</managingEditor>
<webMaster>radio@ncpr.org</webMaster>

<image>
<title>North Country Public Radio Newsroom</title>
<url>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/ncprbug60.jpg</url>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org</link>
<width>51</width>
<height>12</height>
<description>NCPR provides locally-produced news stories from around the Adirondack and North Country regions of New York State, as well as Western Vermont, and Ontario and Quebec in Canada.</description>
</image>
<item>
<title>Cuomo moves to fill APA commission seats</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22210/20130619/cuomo-moves-to-fill-apa-commission-seats</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 19, 2013) Governor Andrew Cuomo has moved to fill expired seats on the Adirondack Park Agency board — including two appointments that would replace veteran members of the commission. The move comes after Cuomo drew criticism from some environmentalists for leaving APA commissioners in place long after their terms had expired. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22210/20130619/cuomo-moves-to-fill-apa-commission-seats">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/highlandsphotoforweb081712.jpg" length="470737" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/ChairWomanUlrich111110.jpg" length="300603" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>21 arrested as progressives push for action in Albany</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22209/20130619/21-arrested-as-progressives-push-for-action-in-albany</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 19, 2013) There were several arrests at the state Capitol Tuesday. Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Gov. Andrew  Cuomo and leaders of the state Senate, after it became clear that a progressive agenda that includes abortion rights and public campaign financing are likely dead for the legislative session. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22209/20130619/21-arrested-as-progressives-push-for-action-in-albany">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/Zenaida-Mendez.jpg" length="29722" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>How the $#%@# does a bill become a law in NYS? </title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22197/20130618/how-the-does-a-bill-become-a-law-in-nys</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 18, 2013) As New York&apos;s legislative session wraps up this week, some of the major issues we&apos;ve been hearing about for the last while remain unresolved, and it&apos;s looking like at least some of them aren&apos;t going to get resolved in this session.Of course bills often come together and pass the legislature at the last moment, so what&apos;s going to happen in the next couple days is anyone&apos;s guess. But how is all of this happening? Turns out it&apos;s much more complicated, and less transparent, than what you might remember from Schoolhouse Rock. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22197/20130618/how-the-does-a-bill-become-a-law-in-nys">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/capitolinterior_600X.jpg" length="61956" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum arrested</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22198/20130618/montreal-mayor-michael-applebaum-arrested</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 18, 2013) Another Canadian mayor is in political trouble. Montreal mayor Michael Applebaum was arrested on multiple corruption charges early yesterday morning. Now, Quebec premier Pauline Marois is calling for Applebaum to resign. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22198/20130618/montreal-mayor-michael-applebaum-arrested">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/michaelapplebaum_375b.jpg" length="28587" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Cuomo agenda in danger at session end</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22199/20130618/cuomo-agenda-in-danger-at-session-end</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 18, 2013) There&apos;s three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in the Women&apos;s Equality Act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures.  Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22199/20130618/cuomo-agenda-in-danger-at-session-end">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/andrewcuomosos2012.jpg" length="31683" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>DEC&apos;s Martens at center of big Adirondack debates</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22200/20130618/dec-apos-s-martens-at-center-of-big-adirondack-debates</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 18, 2013) State conservation Commissioner Joe Martens is at the center of some of the biggest debates in the North Country.Under Martens&apos; leadership, the DEC has agreed to reopen the management plan for the rail corridor that runs through the Adirondack Park. He&apos;s also a key player in the planning process for tens of thousands of acres of former Finch Pruyn lands that are now being added to the Park&apos;s forest preserve.As the session in Albany winds to a close Martens is also pushing hard to win approval in the state Assembly for a controversial land swap in Essex County. That deal would allow a company called NYCO to expand its mining operation onto state Park land.  In exchange, NYCO would purchase roughly 1500 acres that would be added to the forest preserve.Martens spoke about those issue with our Adirondack bureau chief, Brian Mann. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22200/20130618/dec-apos-s-martens-at-center-of-big-adirondack-debates">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/cuomo_signingXX.jpg" length="203541" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/nycominerals.jpg" length="224750" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>How would legal immigration reshape the North Country?</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22182/20130617/how-would-legal-immigration-reshape-the-north-country</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 17, 2013) Congress remains deeply divided over the shape of immigration reform. A split within the House GOP caucus endangers any kind of new legislation.But let&apos;s imagine for a moment that the several thousand Latinos working on dairy farms in New York and Vermont could get legal working papers.How would that change the region&apos;s rural communities?Tom Maloney of Cornell University has been talking with dairy farmers and Latino dairy workers about this for years. He told David Sommerstein farmers are ready to guide their undocumented workers towards legal status. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22182/20130617/how-would-legal-immigration-reshape-the-north-country">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/evaristoweb.jpg" length="82721" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>What undocumented dairy workers think of immigration reform</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22184/20130617/what-undocumented-dairy-workers-think-of-immigration-reform</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 17, 2013) Dairy farmers - and their workers - have a lot at stake in the immigration debate underway in Washington.A survey by Cornell University found that 2,600 Spanish-speaking people work on New York dairy farms. Of them, two thirds or more are here illegally. That&apos;s in part because there&apos;s no visa program for the kind of year-round workers dairy farms need. The Senate&apos;s reform plan offers dairy farms new options for a legal supply of immigrant labor.Undocumented Latino workers are scattered on bunches of dairy farms in the North Country. David Sommerstein spoke with some of them to see what they think of immigration reform. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22184/20130617/what-undocumented-dairy-workers-think-of-immigration-reform">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/juancarlosfreddy.jpg" length="83505" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/juabcarloshome.jpg" length="62241" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5956163 -75.1690942</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>NY gun control law protest draws crowd in Lewis County</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22188/20130617/ny-gun-control-law-protest-draws-crowd-in-lewis-county</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 17, 2013) People climbed up the bleachers in the grandstand at the Lewis County Fairgrounds in Lowville on Saturday for a rally opposing the New York SAFE Act. More than 400 people turned out to condemn the controversial package of gun control measures passed by the state Legislature in January. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22188/20130617/ny-gun-control-law-protest-draws-crowd-in-lewis-county">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/GUNPROTESTXc.jpg" length="31278" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/130617morse.jpg" length="29815" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Portrait of Governor Mario Cuomo hung in Capitol</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22192/20130617/portrait-of-governor-mario-cuomo-hung-in-capitol</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 17, 2013) ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) Former Gov. Mario Cuomo&apos;s portrait is being hung in New York&apos;s Capitol, where he was a top national political figure for over a decade. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22192/20130617/portrait-of-governor-mario-cuomo-hung-in-capitol">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/mcuomoportrait.jpg" length="57373" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>No Deals Yet, As End of Session Looms</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22193/20130617/no-deals-yet-as-end-of-session-looms</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 17, 2013) There are only four days left in the legislative session, and so far no agreements have been reached between Governor Cuomo and the legislature on major issues like campaign finance reform or a women&apos;s equality act. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22193/20130617/no-deals-yet-as-end-of-session-looms">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/empireplaza_600.jpg" length="71862" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Another new St. Lawrence, Lake Ontario water levels plan</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22174/20130614/another-new-st-lawrence-lake-ontario-water-levels-plan</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 14, 2013) People along the St. Lawrence River and Lake Ontario will get a chance to weigh in on a new water levels plan next month. It&apos;s called &quot;Plan 2014&quot;. Regulators say it&apos;s better for Lake Ontario property owners than a plan released last year. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22174/20130614/another-new-st-lawrence-lake-ontario-water-levels-plan">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/canoe_photo-credit-jenni-we.jpg" length="37440" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Bill that could raise SLC sales tax passes Assembly </title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22178/20130614/bill-that-could-raise-slc-sales-tax-passes-assembly</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 14, 2013) Home rule legislation that would allow St. Lawrence County to raise its sales tax by one percent passed in the New York State Assembly Thursday. County legislative chairman John Putney says the bill now needs Senate approval. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22178/20130614/bill-that-could-raise-slc-sales-tax-passes-assembly">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/NYStateSenateChamberX.jpg" length="61382" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Black &amp; Hispanic caucus pushes pot decriminalization</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22179/20130614/black-amp-hispanic-caucus-pushes-pot-decriminalization</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 14, 2013) Members of the new York legislature&apos;s Black and Hispanic caucus and their allies are making a last minute push for a bill to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of marijuana. In Albany yesterday, they charged the current laws unfairly target young black and Latino men. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22179/20130614/black-amp-hispanic-caucus-pushes-pot-decriminalization">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Fri, 14 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Comptroller DiNapoli: Watertown in good fiscal health</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22167/20130613/comptroller-dinapoli-watertown-in-good-fiscal-health</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 13, 2013) State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli came to Watertown on Wednesday to commend the city&apos;s leadership on its sound financial stewardship. DiNapoli&apos;s office is rolling out a program of annual fiscal &quot;stress tests&quot; for municipalities and school districts. And the comptroller said Watertown sets an example for prudent financial planning. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22167/20130613/comptroller-dinapoli-watertown-in-good-fiscal-health">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/DSCN0949.jpg" length="126299" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Down to the wire on hot-button issues in Albany</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22170/20130613/down-to-the-wire-on-hot-button-issues-in-albany</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 13, 2013) It&apos;s getting down to the wire for major pieces of legislation still pending in Albany. As the end of session approaches in Albany, there are no agreements yet on a number of hot-button issues, including women&apos;s rights and campaign finance reform. But that&apos;s not unusual in a government where last minute deals are part of the routine. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22170/20130613/down-to-the-wire-on-hot-button-issues-in-albany">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/capitolinterior_600.jpg" length="62416" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Critics weigh in on &quot;Tax Free New York&quot;</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22172/20130613/critics-weigh-in-on-quot-tax-free-new-york-quot</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 13, 2013) Gov. Andrew Cuomo released legislation outlining his plan for tax-free zones Monday after spending a week in May touring upstate to build support for the proposal.&quot;I mean no taxes. That&apos;s what I mean when I say tax free - no business tax, no corporate tax, no franchise fee, no income tax,&quot; Cuomo told officials at the University at Buffalo.Under the measure, any new business that sets up on or near a SUNY campus, or at selected private universities or state-owned properties will pay no taxes for up to ten years. After five years, high-wage earners will have to pay income taxes. The locations are mostly upstate.The plan has come under fire from all sides. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22172/20130613/critics-weigh-in-on-quot-tax-free-new-york-quot">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Thu, 13 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/Tax-Free-New-York.png" length="109293" type="image/png"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Cuomo rolls out campaign finance bill</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22162/20130612/cuomo-rolls-out-campaign-finance-bill</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 12, 2013) With just over a week left in the legislative session, Governor Cuomo released his bill to extend public financing of political campaigns to statewide races. But he still faces resistance from some factions within the legislature. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22162/20130612/cuomo-rolls-out-campaign-finance-bill">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/andrewcuomo_sots.jpg" length="30569" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Are too many domestic violence victims going to prison?</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22161/20130612/are-too-many-domestic-violence-victims-going-to-prison</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 12, 2013) As the legislature winds to a close in Albany, a coalition of prison reform and domestic violence activists are hoping to convince the Republican-controlled Senate to bring one more bill to the floor for a vote.Supporters say the Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act would allow judges to factor physical and mental abuse into sentencing decisions in felony criminal cases.District Attorneys are opposing the bill, arguing that it would allow too many people to claim that domestic violence was a factor in their crimes. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22161/20130612/are-too-many-domestic-violence-victims-going-to-prison">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/prison_domestic_violence4.jpg" length="106403" type="image/jpeg"/>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/prison_domestic_violence6b.jpg" length="71911" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point>44.5969200 -75.1733850</georss:point></item>
<item>
<title>Owens seeks compromise on farm bill</title>
<link>http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22160/20130612/owens-seeks-compromise-on-farm-bill</link>
<description><![CDATA[ (Jun 12, 2013) This week the Senate passed a five-year, nearly $500 billion farm bill. About three-quarters of that pays for the food stamp program, which would be cut by $400 million a year. Direct farm subsidies are largely replaced by subsidies for crop insurance. And there are a barrelfull of other items from land conservation to support for young farmers.This is pretty much where things stood a year ago. But House Speaker John Boehner refused to let his chamber&apos;s version of the farm bill come to the floor for a vote. Conservative Republicans believed the bill contained too much government spending. [<strong><a href="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/story/22160/20130612/owens-seeks-compromise-on-farm-bill">full story</a></strong>]]]></description>
<pubDate>Wed, 12 Jun 2013 00:00:00 -0400</pubDate>
<enclosure url="http://www.northcountrypublicradio.org/news/images/billowenslorez.jpg" length="77532" type="image/jpeg"/>
<georss:point> </georss:point></item>


</channel>
</rss>
