National Grid is out with a couple of radio ads urging upstate state senators--Republican George Maziarz and Democrat William Stachowski in one ad, and Democrat David Valesky in another--to oppose a "prevailing wage" bill they say will increase the cost of delivering electricity.The ad stresses that the bill would benefit "downstate" at the Read More
ALBANY—Democrats in the State Senate are acknowledging (at least temporary) rejection in their offer of three committee chairmanships to Republicans.
"We will not have a formal announcement this week but we will be making an announcement shortly about one of our proposals to create a more bi-partisan chamber," said Austin Shafran, a Democratic spokesman. Read More
ALBANY—Dean Skelos, the Republican leader in the State Senate, is putting the brakes on a Democratic proposal to give members of his conference committee chairmanships.
"Senator [John] Sampson's proposal to appoint new chairs should be considered along with these other recommendations, by the bipartisan committee, before any action is taken," Skelos said in a Read More
ALBANY—State Senator Darrel Aubertine seems okay with the idea of Republicans taking the chairmanships of several committees—even if it's one he currently controls.
"There have been some discussions internally about the possibility of expanding senators' roles in decision-making in the Senate; just being more inclusive and making sure everyone has a seat at the Read More
ALBANY—John Sampson and Dean Skelos, the leaders of their party's respective conferences in the State Senate, met this morning to discuss the prospect of Republicans taking over the chairmanship of several committees, a Democratic spokesman said.
"Because the discussions are still ongoing, I cannot confirm the members of the committees," said Austin Shafran, the spokesman, Read More
ALBANY—For just $1,000, you too can wish Pedro Espada Jr. a happy birthday and "honor" his "Historic Ascension" to be the majority leader of the State Senate.
Espada has sent invitations for a bash on October 22 at Compass on the Upper West Side.
Espada has appeared at a fund-raiser recently alongside Senate Read More
ALBANY—Appearing here in the press room to announce the support of Albany and Herkimer counties, Ed Cox took something of a back-handed swipe at Henry Wojtaszek, his rival to replace Joe Mondello as chairman of the Republican State Committee, by invoking the failed coup attempt earlier this year.
"Many people were involved Read More
Now that the Republicans have failed in their prolonged attempt to seize control of the State Senate, will heads roll?
It would seem that the answer is no. Republican Leader Dean Skelos looked slightly dejected Thursday night talking to reporters about the re-defection of Senator Pedro Espada Jr., and the re-relegation of Republicans Read More
ALBANY—Developing Republican line of attack: Senate Democrats sat mute and refused to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance Tuesday in the Senate chamber prior to a day of dueling sessions.
"I've got 85 e-mails in my office, 78 of them are on that topic," State Senator George Maziarz told me on the floor toward Read More
ALBANY—At 3:37 p.m. Monday afternoon, State Senator Jeff Klein, a Democrat, offered a motion to adjourn the State Senate. It was an act of desperation: there was a motion on the floor that would elect the Republican leader in the chamber--Dean Skelos--majority leader, and install a turncoat Democrat, State Senator Pedro Espada Jr., Read More
ALBANY—The Assembly is officially in session, and right now Ways and Means Committee Chair Denny Farrell is presenting the budget.
On the other side of the Capitol, after wrapping up a session, a few Democratic state senators lingered in their chamber and discussed the Spanish word for shoes. The chamber does not have the Read More
ALBANY Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith was scheduled to speak at two events this afternoon, but missed both.
"He's in negotiations," said Travis Proulx, a spokesman.
Exactly where he's negotiating not clear. A gaggle of reporters, include including myself, just spent some time traipsing around the Capitol in search of Smith, but couldn't find him.
Here's a Read More
ALBANY—Here's an unusual sight: State Senator George Maziarz standing in front a squadron of his Democratic colleagues at a press conference Maziarz crashed to blast the New York Power Authority for raising rates for bulk power in Niagara and St. Lawrence counties and approving employee bonuses.
"All of us are united around the idea that Read More
As of 4 p.m., Republican Frank Padavan lead over Democratic challenger Jim Gennaro has grown to 707 votes, according to a reader in Queens participating in the recount and supporting Padavan.This reader also said Republican State Senator George Maziarz of Niagara County is in Queens helping Padavan supporters with the recount.At one point, Read More
Eliot Spitzer may want an Albany outsider as comptroller, but to judge by the hearings so far, the private sector candidates aren't going to have an easy time of it. Bill Mulrow used his opening remarks this morning to try to pre-empt some criticism of his business background, saying he would resign from all companies Read More
