Tom Duane | The New York Observer

Paterson Calls Special Session, But Will it Work?

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:21:06 -0500

ALBANY—David Paterson officially officially proclaimed a special session on Tuesday to consider his $3 billion plan to bridge a mid-year deficit as well as other miscellaneous legislative business, even though no budget-cutting agreements have been reached among the governor and legislative leaders.

Paterson's formal proclamation for the session is a political wish list: it also calls for the legislature to act on bills legalizing same-sex marriage, enacting a cheaper pension tier for new state...

GNYHA Cites Three Senators in Budget Opposition

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 14:54:47 -0400

ALBANY—The hospital lobby is using three State Senate Democrats as a shield in their fight against health care cuts David Paterson proposed in a $3 billion deficit reduction plan.

Ken Raske, CEO of the Greater New York Hospital Association, sent this memo to hospital heads and lobbyists, naming Carl Kruger, John Sampson and Tom Duane as all being on record against cuts.

"It is extremely important that you continue to meet with your legislators,...

Paterson: Same-Sex Marriage on the Agenda for the Special Session

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:34:50 -0400

Governor David Paterson has promised to put same-sex marriage on the agenda when he calls lawmakers back to Albany for a special session to deal with business left undone since the coup back in June.

“Marriage equality will be on the calendar,” Paterson told an audience at the Empire State Pride Agenda’s annual fund-raiser in Manhattan last night. “Marriage equality is coming to New York State.”

The head of ESPA, Alan van Capelle, went further, calling...