The campaign arm of the New York Senate Democrats just sent out an email slamming SRCC leader Tom Libous for appearing at a Tea Party event with gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino.
Paladino, the Democrats note, was busted for forwarding a series of racist and sexist emails, including one that portrayed dancing African tribesmen under the Read More
Governor David Paterson didn't exactly wow them with his big budget speech today in Albany. He was a few minutes late, quite a few lawmakers weren't there, and some wondered if the address--which came in at less than half an hour--was even worth their time.
In his speech, the governor said what he's been saying Read More
ALBANY—David Paterson arrived late for his big speech, and before an Assembly chamber that featured over a dozen empty chairs, delivered a blunt message: "Frankly, we are running out of money."
"At this moment, all of us assembled in this chamber stand as the last defense between our state gong into a downward economic spiral Read More
ALBANY—What about that road and bridge plan?
Republicans blasted Democrats for not including a plan to fund road and bridge projects upstate when they passed a bailout for the M.T.A., and have since asked where things stood.
State Senator Martin Malave Dilan, chairman of the chamber's Transportation Committee, said he was dismayed that a Read More
ALBANY—David Paterson's budget czar just sent this memo to state agency heads directing them to "immediately place a hold" on all state contracts to ACORN, which has been under fire from the political right in recent days.
This issue erupted earlier this week when the Post reported that two people posing as a pimp Read More
ALBANY—State Senator Ron Stafford has been dead for over four years, but that hasn't stopped his political activities.
Since July 2005, the Committee to Re-Elect Senator Stafford has contributed nearly $60,000 to charities and fellow Republicans including Betty Little, his successor in the North Country-based Senate seat. The committee still has over $50,000 in Read More
ALBANY—Jeff Klein likes the filet mignon at 677 Prime, with a side of chopped salad. Dean Skelos is partial to the eggplant at Amo la Bella. Malcolm Smith enjoys the mussels at the Brown Derby. And you can find Tom Libous at Lombardo's on Madison.
During the six months of the legislative session, the four Read More
ALBANY—School governance legislation is in trouble.
A meeting last night between Senator John Sampson, the Democratic conference leader, and Senators Bill Perkins and Shirley Huntley with Deputy Mayors Kevin Sheekey and Dennis Walcott did not go well, a Democratic source said. Depending on the outcome of a Democratic conference scheduled for noon, the 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—Republicans, too, are asking David Paterson to step into the fray.
There was supposed to be a public negotiating session at noon today between the two parties warring over the State Senate's leadership, but I was told by an aide that Democrats are not planning to show up. Senator Tom Libous, a Binghamton Read More
Moments ago, as their first act back in charge, the Republicans enacted new rules for the body which they say will open up the process, empower committee chairmen Read More
ALBANY—Republicans have started formally making their case against the M.T.A. bailout bill, voicing objections for the record that will not, barring some unforeseen act, affect its final passage.
In the State Senate, Democrats Martin Malave Dilan and Bill Perkins answered questions as best they could. Dilan weathered the most blistering of the Republican storm, Read More
ALBANY—Sponsors of a measure that would require handgun permits to be renewed every five years are courting an unlikely ally: State Senator Tom Libous, a Republican from Binghamton.
State Senator Eric Schneiderman reached out to Libous in light of the fact that Jiverly Wong, the gunman responsible for a massacre at the American Civic Read More
ALBANY—Sheldon Silver has a new idea about finding Republican allies as lawmakers seek consensus around a package to fund the M.T.A. - look upstate.
"They should be on line first to make sure there's a well-funded M.T.A. capital plan," Silver said to reporters after giving a speech to T.W.U. Local 100, whose members are Read More
ALBANY—David Paterson is heading to Binghamton.
Along with Representative Maurice Hinchey, Paterson will fly to the Southern Tier as law enforcement officials sort out what happened during a hostage situation earlier today.
Paterson called the events a "terrible tragedy," and said he had heard 13 people were killed. He paused a press conference to Read More
