Items by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury leaves for weekend, no verdict

  —Albany Watch

     Jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno broke for the day without reaching a verdict and will be back in court Monday. Friday was their sixth day of deliberating on eight counts of wire and mail fraud against the Rensselaer County Republican.    Prosecutors [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 5:04pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury leaves for weekend, no verdict

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 6
     Jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno broke for the day without reaching a verdict and will be back in court Monday. Friday was their sixth day of deliberating on eight counts of wire and mail fraud against the Rensselaer County Republican.    Prosecutors [...]
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  Posted: December 04, 2009, 5:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Still no verdict in Bruno trial

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The jury in former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s federal trial wrapped up its fifth day of deliberations without a verdict today, only emerging from the jury room for a three-hour read-back of testimony from a lawyer who worked for Bruno.    Jurors are due back at the James T. [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:41pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Still no verdict in Bruno corruption trial

  —Albany Watch

     The jury in former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s federal trial wrapped up its fifth day of deliberations without a verdict today, only emerging from the jury room for a three-hour read-back of testimony from a lawyer who worked for Bruno.      Jurors are due back at the James T. [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 6:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers: State should go on a pork-less diet

  —Albany Watch

     State Assembly members Sandra Galef, D-Ossining; Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, and George Latimer, D-Rye, said they are proposing legislation that would prohibit member items, aka pork, in the 2010-11 state budget. The ban would save the state $140 million to $200 million, the Westchester County lawmakers estimate.    This week’s deficit-reduction plan [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 5:40pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers: State should go on a pork-less diet

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Assembly members Sandra Galef, D-Ossining; Amy Paulin, D-Scarsdale, and George Latimer, D-Rye, said they are proposing legislation that would prohibit member items, aka pork, in the 2010-11 state budget. The ban would save the state $140 million to $200 million, they estimate.    This week’s deficit-reduction plan to close $2.7 [...]
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  Posted: December 03, 2009, 5:38pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gay marriage opponents celebrate, proponents vow to continue fight

  —Albany Watch

     After the same-sex marriage bill was shot down today, the governor, the bill sponsor and gay-rights advocates vowed to continue their fight for passage. Proponents of the bill chanted “Shame” and “Equal rights now” and “Gay, straight, black, white, marriage is a civil right” at GOP senators and gay-marriage opponent Sen. Ruben Diaz, [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 5:20pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gay marriage opponents celebrate, proponents vow to continue fight

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 2
     After the same-sex marriage bill was shot down today, the governor, the bill sponsor and gay-rights advocates vowed to continue their fight for passage. Proponents of the bill chanted “Shame” and “Equal rights now” and “Gay, straight, black, white, marriage is a civil right” at GOP senators and gay-marriage opponent Sen. Ruben Diaz, [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 5:18pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Budget Division issues fact sheet on deficit-reduction plan

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Here’s the state Division of the Budget’s fact sheet on the $2.7 billion deficit-reduction plan passed by the Assembly and Senate today:    According to Division of the Budget analysis, the enacted deficit reduction legislation is projected to achieve $2.7 billion in current-year savings. Major components of that plan include the [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 1:40pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate passes public-authority reform

  —Politics on the Hudson

     In a frenetically paced day that has included passing a deficit-reduction plan and debating same-sex marriage, the Senate passed legislation to reform New York’s public-authority system, which had been dubbed a “shadow government” for the state’s lack of oversight and control over activities and finances of the agencies.    Under [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:58pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate approves public-authority reform

  —Albany Watch

     In a frenetically paced day that has included passing a deficit-reduction plan and debating same-sex marriage, the Senate passed legislation to reform New York’s public-authority system, which had been dubbed a “shadow government” for the state’s lack of oversight and control over activities and finances of the agencies.    Under the [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:57pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury continues to deliberate

  —Albany Watch

     The jury in the federal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno broke for lunch today after listening to a read-back of testimony regarding businessman Jared E. Abbruzzese’s relationship with Bruno. This is the fourth day of deliberations after a three-week trial on eight charges of mail [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:42pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury continues to deliberate

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The jury in the federal corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno broke for lunch today after listening to a read-back of testimony regarding businessman Jared E. Abbruzzese’s relationship with Bruno. This is the fourth day of deliberations after a three-week trial on eight charges of mail [...]
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  Posted: December 02, 2009, 12:35pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury sends S.O.S. to judge

  —Albany Watch

     The jury in the corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has notified the judge that it has reached a consensus on two of the eight counts against the Rensselaer County Republican and is deadlocked on the other six, Jon Campbell of Gannett’s Albany Bureau reports from the federal [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 3:06pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno jury sends S.O.S. to judge

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 6
     The jury in the corruption trial of former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno has notified the judge that it has reached a consensus on two of the eight counts against the Rensselaer County Republican and is deadlocked on the other six, Jon Campbell of Gannett’s Albany Bureau reports from the federal [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 3:05pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Amid budget crisis, gov. accepts report on small business

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Gov. David Paterson had a news conference today to accept the final report of the state Small Business Task Force, but only one question from a reporter was on that topic. Instead, the governor was peppered with questions about the status of negotations on how to close the state’s [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Amid budget crisis, gov. accepts report on small business

  —Albany Watch

     Gov. David Paterson had a news conference today to accept the final report of the state Small Business Task Force, but only one question from a reporter was on that topic. Instead, the governor was peppered with questions about the status of negotations on how to close the state’s [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 1:23pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Thousands of NY sex offenders purged from MySpace, Facebook

  —Albany Watch

     Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that more than 3,500 registered New York sex offenders have been purged from the social-networking sites Facebook and MySpace.    The names were removed as part of the first database sweep since the state’s new “e-STOP” law took effect last year. The Electronic Securing [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 12:22pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Thousands of NY sex offenders purged from Facebook, MySpace

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that more than 3,500 registered New York sex offenders have been purged from the social-networking sites Facebook and MySpace.    The names were removed as part of the first database sweep since the state’s new “e-STOP” law took effect last year. The Electronic Securing [...]
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  Posted: December 01, 2009, 12:21pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. asks supporters to call lawmakers and P.S., send $$

  —Albany Watch

     Here’s a letter that came from the Governor Paterson 2010 campaign today. He’s asking supporters to call their lawmakers and urge them to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit.    “Please call your legislator and say the time for action is now—and click here to let me know you [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:33am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. asks supporters to call lawmakers and P.S., send $$

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Here’s a letter that came from the Governor Paterson 2010 campaign today. He’s asking supporters to call their lawmakers and urge them to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit.    “Please call your legislator and say the time for action is now—and click here to let me know you [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:25am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Labor, civic groups push for IDA reform

  —Albany Watch

     Good-government and labor advocates are asking lawmakers to pass legislation to reform the Industrial Development Agency system along with a budget to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year deficit. The groups want to increase accountability, introduce business standards and guarantee higher wages.    “IDAs are consistently failing to deliver on [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:12am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Labor, civic groups push for IDA reform

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Good-government and labor advocates are asking lawmakers to pass legislation to reform the Industrial Development Agency system along with a budget to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year deficit. The groups want to increase accountability, introduce business standards and guarantee higher wages.    “IDAs are consistently failing to deliver on [...]
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  Posted: November 30, 2009, 11:10am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. to act unilaterally to close half of budget deficit

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 5
     Gov. David Paterson said Sunday that he would act unilaterally to close $1.6 billion of the approximately $3.1 billion budget gap, and he urged the Legislature to reach an agreement on a deficit-reduction plan for the balance as soon as possible.    Negotiations with the Senate and Assembly over the [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 3:00pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Paterson to act unilaterally to close $1.6 billion of deficit

  —Albany Watch

     Gov. David Paterson said Sunday that he would act unilaterally to close $1.6 billion of the approximately $3.1 billion budget gap, and he urged the Legislature to reach an agreement on a deficit-reduction plan for the balance as soon as possible.    Negotiations with the Senate and Assembly over the [...]
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  Posted: November 29, 2009, 2:59pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Jury breaks for holiday in Bruno trial

  —Albany Watch

  Jon Campbell of the Gannett Albany Bureau had this to report from the Bruno trial today:    The first day of jury deliberations in the case against former Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno wrapped up without a verdict this evening, with deliberations set to continue Monday morning despite Judge Gary Sharpe’s [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 7:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Jury breaks for holiday in Bruno trial

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 10
     Jon Campbell of the Gannett Albany Bureau had this to report from the Bruno trial today:    The first day of jury deliberations in the case against former Senate Republican Leader Joe Bruno wrapped up without a verdict this evening, with deliberations set to continue Monday morning despite Judge Gary [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 7:50pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Ethics panel settles with former state police head over Troopergate

  —Albany Watch

    The state Commission on Public Integrity announced today that it has reached a settlement with former Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton over his role in the Troopergate scandal more than two years ago.    Aides to now-former Gov. Eliot Spitzer were found to have asked the State Police to [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 5:03pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Ethics panel reaches Troopergate settlement with former state cop head

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 4
     The state Commission on Public Integrity announced today that it has reached a settlement with former Acting State Police Superintendent Preston Felton over his role in the Troopergate scandal more than two years ago.    Aides to now-former Gov. Eliot Spitzer were found to have asked the State Police to [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 5:01pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov.’s revised proposal would cut health care, education less

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Gov. David Paterson’s deficit-reduction plan has been revised to cut less from education and health care and use federal stimulus money for education that had been set aside for next year, according to his Budget Division.    The original proposal would reduce school aid by $686 million this school year ($480 million for the state’s [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 2:18pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov.’s revised proposal would cut education, health care less

  —Albany Watch

     Gov. David Paterson’s deficit-reduction plan has been revised to cut less from education and health care and use federal stimulus money for education that had been set aside for next year, according to his Budget Division.    The original proposal would reduce school aid by $686 million this school year ($480 million for the state’s [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 2:17pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. wants executive power to close deficit

  —Albany Watch

     Gov. David Paterson said in a Web announcement this morning that he is submitting legislation to lawmakers that would give him executive authority to make the reductions necessary to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap.    Paterson and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement with the [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 1:01pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. to use executive authority to close budget deficit

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Gov. David Paterson said in a Web announcement this morning that he is submitting legislation to lawmakers that would give him executive authority to make the reductions necessary to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget gap.    Paterson and lawmakers have been unable to reach an agreement with the [...]
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  Posted: November 24, 2009, 12:48pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• No budget deal as third week of negotiations begins

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     After originally saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and prepare legislation, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson ended the day Monday without an agreement on how to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    “I believe the best way to say it is we’ve had the same [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:28pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• No budget deal as lawmakers begin third week of negotiations

  —Albany Watch

     After originally saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and prepare legislation, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson ended the day Monday without an agreement on how to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    “I believe the best way to say it is we’ve had the same [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• IG recommends disciplining supervisors of “man cave” workers

  —Politics on the Hudson

     New York Inspector General Joseph Fisch is recommending that disciplinary action be taken against three supervisors in connection with the “man cave” in one of the state parking garages in Albany. Poor oversight by Office of General Services managers Thomas Casey, William Liston and Dennis Williams contributed to drug [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 1:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• IG recommends disciplining supervisors of “man cave” workers

  —Albany Watch

     New York Inspector General Joseph Fisch is recommending that disciplinary action be taken against three supervisors in connection with the “man cave” in one of the state parking garages in Albany. Poor oversight by Office of General Services managers Thomas Casey, William Liston and Dennis Williams contributed to drug abuse and other [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 1:21pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno trial expected to end today

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s federal corruption trial is expected to wrap up today, and it will be up to the jury to decide his fate. Prosecutors charged he received more than $3 million from businesses in exchange for his political influence at the state Capitol between 1993 and 2006.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Bruno trial expected to finish up today

  —Albany Watch

     Former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno’s federal corruption trial is expected to wrap up today, and it will be up to the jury to decide his fate. Prosecutors charged he received more than $3 million from businesses in exchange for his political influence at the state Capitol between 1993 and 2006.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:33pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Budget deadlock not helping voter opinion of lawmakers, gov.

  —Politics on the Hudson

     A Marist College poll released today found that 71 percent of voters think state government needs major changes, and 18 percent think daily operations at the Capitol need minor changes. Eleven percent believe state government is broken and beyond repair, according to the poll.    “Albany is not a good place [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:15pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Budget deadlock not helping public opinion of lawmakers, gov.

  —Albany Watch

     A Marist College poll released today found that 71 percent of voters think state government needs major changes, and 18 percent think daily operations at the Capitol need minor changes. Eleven percent believe state government is broken and beyond repair, according to the poll.    “Albany is not a good place [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 12:14pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Still no budget deal at the Capitol

  —Albany Watch

     After saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and print a bill, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson are beginning the new week without a plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    Both the Senate and Assembly are scheduled to go into session at 2 p.m.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:16am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Still no budget deal at the Capitol

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 4
     After saying they would take the weekend to complete negotiations and print a bill, lawmakers and Gov. David Paterson are beginning the new week without a plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion budget gap.    Both the Senate and Assembly are scheduled to go into session at 2 p.m.    [...]
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  Posted: November 23, 2009, 11:15am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. voices continued frustration with lawmakers over budget deficit

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 3
     Gov. David Paterson continued to chide lawmakers today about not coming up with a solution to New York’s $3.2 billion deficit. If the state doesn’t cut costs, it won’t be able to pay all its bills next month, including aid to schools, he said during a news conference this [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:29pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Gov. voices continued frustration with lawmakers over budget deficit

  —Albany Watch

  Number of comments: 1
     Gov. David Paterson continued to chide lawmakers today about not coming up with a solution to New York’s $3.2 billion deficit. If the state doesn’t cut costs, it won’t be able to pay all its bills next month, including aid to schools, he said during a news conference this [...]
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  Posted: November 21, 2009, 1:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• NY wants more takers on $20,000 severance package

  —Politics on the Hudson

     After a total of 1,089 state employees received authorization by mid-November to retire with a $20,000 severance payment, Gov. David Paterson’s Division of the Budget is extending the program until Jan. 20 to see if the state can get more participation.    Paterson ordered a total of $500 million in [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:43pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• NY wants more takers on $20,000 severance package

  —Albany Watch

     After a total of 1,089 state employees received authorization by mid-November to retire with a $20,000 severance payment, Gov. David Paterson’s Division of the Budget is extending the program until Jan. 20 to see if the state can get more participation.    Paterson ordered a total of $500 million in mid-year budget [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 1:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll finds Cuomo is still popular and Paterson isn’t

  —Albany Watch

     Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would get the support of 72 percent of registered voters in the state in a primary against Gov. David Paterson, according to a Marist College poll released today. Twenty-one percent of voters would select Paterson, who plans to run for election next year.    “Right now, Andrew [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:14pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll finds Cuomo is still popular and Paterson isn’t

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 3
      Attorney General Andrew Cuomo would get the support of 72 percent of registered voters in the state in a primary against Gov. David Paterson, according to a Marist College poll released today. Twenty-one percent of voters would select Paterson, who plans to run for election next year.    “Right now, Andrew [...]
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  Posted: November 20, 2009, 12:12pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll: Giuliani could defeat Gillibrand for U.S. Senate

  —Politics on the Hudson

     A new Marist College poll that coincides with news today that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has decided not to run for governor found that he would easily win over Democratic Gov. David Paterson but would have his work cut out for him if Attorney General Andrew Cuomo ran instead of Paterson.     [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:18pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll: Giuliani could defeat Gillibrand for U.S. Senate

  —Albany Watch

  Number of comments: 1
     A new Marist College poll that coincides with news today that former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani has decided not to run for governor found that he would easily win over Democratic Gov. David Paterson but would have his work cut out for him if Attorney General Andrew Cuomo ran instead of Paterson.     [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 4:16pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers not due back until Monday

  —Albany Watch

     As negotiations to close a $3.2 billion state budget shortfall continue, the Senate and Assembly have left town until Monday. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, has scheduled session Monday afternoon, although members are on alert that they could be called back earlier with 12 hours notice.    Senate Majority Leader John [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:30pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers not due back until Monday

  —Politics on the Hudson

     As negotiations to close a $3.2 billion state budget shortfall continue, the Senate and Assembly have left town until Monday. Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, has scheduled session Monday afternoon, although members are on alert that they could be called back earlier with 12 hours notice.    Senate Majority Leader John [...]
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  Posted: November 19, 2009, 3:28pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• County clerks urge gov. to stop production of plates

  —Albany Watch

     County clerks who protested the state’s plans to issue new license plates and charge drivers $25 each to get them said tonight they are not happy that the state is moving forward with production of the new plates.    Faced with pressure from county clerks and residents, Gov. David Paterson [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:33pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• County clerks urge gov. to stop production of new plates

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     County clerks who protested the state’s plans to issue new license plates and charge drivers $25 each to get them said tonight they are not happy that the state is moving forward with production of the new plates.    Faced with pressure from county clerks and residents, Gov. David Paterson [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 7:30pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers, gov. reach agreement on public-authority reform

  —Albany Watch

     Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, said the Asssembly, Senate and Gov. David Paterson have reached an agreement to pass legislation that will reform the state’s public-authority system. Brodsky said that bill, plus one passed earlier this year that the governor has said he will sign, will change the culture of what [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:55pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Lawmakers, gov. reach agreement on public-authority reform

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, D-Greenburgh, said the Asssembly, Senate and Gov. David Paterson have reached an agreement to pass legislation that will reform the state’s public-authority system. Brodsky said that bill, plus one passed earlier this year that the governor has said he will sign, will change the culture of what [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate unanimously passes “Leandra’s Law”

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The Senate just passed legislation that would strengthen drunken-driving laws in New York by making it a felony for someone to be driving while impaired and have a child passenger. The vote was 58-0.    Another provision of the bill would require anyone convicted of drunken driving to install an ignition-interlock [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:38pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate unanimously passes “Leandra’s Law”

  —Albany Watch

     The Senate just passed legislation that would strengthen drunken-driving laws in New York by making it a felony for someone to be driving while impaired and have a child passenger. The vote was 58-0.    Another provision of the bill would require anyone convicted of drunken driving to install an ignition-interlock [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll: Voters worried about deficit, lawmakers’ handling of it

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Nearly 70 percent of registered voters in New York fear the state will run out of money in December, according to a Marist Poll released this afternoon. Twenty-one percent of voters said they are not very worried about that and 10 percent are not worried at all, the poll found.    When [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:15pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Poll: Voters worried about deficit, lawmakers’ handling of it

  —Albany Watch

     Nearly 70 percent of registered voters in New York fear the state will run out of money in December, according to a Marist Poll released this afternoon. Twenty-one percent of voters said they are not very worried about that and 10 percent are not worried at all, the poll found.    When [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 1:09pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• After stimulus $$, states still have $357 billion total shortfall

  —Albany Watch

     The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February provided $106 billion in aid to states, about 25 percent of the $437 billion total state and local budget shortfalls, a report from the Washington-based Economic Policy Institute says.    Since state and local governments cannot run a deficit, as [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• After stimulus $$, states still have $357 billion total deficit

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed in February provided $106 billion in aid to states, about 25 percent of the $437 billion total state and local budget shortfalls, a report from the Washington-based Economic Policy Institute says.    Since state and local governments cannot run a deficit, as [...]
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  Posted: November 18, 2009, 12:48pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Study: ethical misconduct increasing as reason for leaving office

  —Albany Watch

     Ethical misconduct increasingly is the reason state lawmakers leave office, Citizens Union said in a report released today. Fourteen legislators have left office in the past 10 years because of ethical misconduct, criminal charges or similar issues. Five of them left in the 2007-08 session.    “We are facing not [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:08pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Study: Ethical misconduct increasing as reason for leaving office

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 2
     Ethical misconduct increasingly is the reason state lawmakers leave office, Citizens Union said in a report released today. Fourteen legislators have left office in the past 10 years because of ethical misconduct, criminal charges or similar issues. Five of them left in the 2007-08 session.    “We are facing not [...]
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  Posted: November 17, 2009, 4:06pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Clerks deliver 100,000 signatures against plates

  —Albany Watch

     County clerks delivered four boxes of petitions opposing the state’s requirement that all drivers get new license plates starting next spring and pay $25 for them. They had collected signatures from more than 100,000 New Yorkers who want the state to quash the requirement, which would raise $130 million [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 2:19pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Clerks deliver 100,000 signatures against new plates

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     County clerks delivered four boxes of petitions opposing the state’s requirement that all drivers get new license plates starting next spring and pay $25 for them. They had collected signatures from more than 100,000 New Yorkers who want the state to quash the requirement, which would raise $130 million [...]
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  Posted: November 16, 2009, 2:05pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Governor: Time is of the essence on budget cuts

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     Gov. David Paterson made the rounds of some radio shows today to give an update on where negotiations stand on closing the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers were in town for a special session Tuesday, but they left without reaching an agreement. The governor is calling them back Monday [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 2:09pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Governor: Time is of the essence in budget cuts

  —Albany Watch

     Gov. David Paterson made the rounds of some radio shows today to give an update on where negotiations stand on closing the state’s $3.2 billion budget deficit. Lawmakers were in town for a special session Tuesday, but they left without reaching an agreement. The governor is calling them back Monday [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 2:08pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• H1N1 vaccine becoming more available in NY

  —Albany Watch

  The H1N1 flu vaccine is becoming more widely available across the state, Gov. David Paterson announced today. County health departments are planning clinics that had been put off because the national supply has been lower than anticipated. “Due to delays in manufacturing the H1N1 vaccine, our statewide vaccination campaign has [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:34pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• H1N1 shot becoming more available in NY

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The H1N1 flu vaccine is becoming more widely available across the state, Gov. David Paterson announced today. County health departments are planning clinics that had been put off because the national supply has been lower than anticipated.    “Due to delays in manufacturing the H1N1 vaccine, our statewide vaccination campaign [...]
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  Posted: November 13, 2009, 1:27pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State workers reach plea agreement over “man cave”

  —Albany Watch

  Two New York employees who were allegedly selling and using drugs, watching television and sleeping in a concealed ”man cave” on state property instead of working pleaded guilty today to defrauding the government, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced. Gary A. Pivoda, 48, of Glennon Road in Latham, an Albany suburb, and Louis Marciano, 50, of Willow [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:52pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State workers reach plea agreement over “man cave”

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 2
  Two New York employees who were allegedly selling and using drugs, watching television and sleeping in a concealed “man cave” on state property instead of working pleaded guilty today to defrauding the government, Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced. Gary A. Pivoda, 48, of Glennon Road in Latham, an Albany suburb, and [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 5:41pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• NY launches campaign to get people counted in Census

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee kicked off a campaign to make sure state residents are counted in next year’s U.S. Census. Gov. David Paterson signed an executive order to form the committee, which will be composed of the heads of all state agencies and authorities.       [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:54pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State begins push to get everyone counted in census

  —Albany Watch

     The New York 2010 Census Complete Count Committee kicked off a campaign to make sure state residents are counted in next year’s U.S. Census. Gov. David Paterson signed an executive order to form the committee, which will be composed of the heads of all state agencies and authorities.    The [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 3:31pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• More than 1,000 protest proposed health-care cuts

  —Albany Watch

  More than 1,000 health-care workers who traveled to the Capitol Thursday to protest the governor’s proposed $278 million in health-care reductions.    “We simply cannot sustain any more cuts in our hospitals, in our nursing homes or in our home-care division. Today we’ve got to make it clear: No more health-care [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:51pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• More than 1,000 protest proposed health-care cuts

  —Politics on the Hudson

     More than 1,000 health-care workers who traveled to the Capitol Thursday to protest the governor’s proposed $278 million in health-care reductions.    “We simply cannot sustain any more cuts in our hospitals, in our nursing homes or in our home-care division. Today we’ve got to make it clear: No more [...]
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  Posted: November 12, 2009, 2:18pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• NY scores better than 12 states on “fiscal peril” scale

  —Albany Watch

     New York received a score of 20 on the Pew Center on the States’ new report evaluating whether states are in fiscal peril. All states were compared with California, which received the highest score—30. Revenue is down more in New York than California—17.1 percent to 16.2 percent. The national [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:09pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• NY scores better than 12 states on “fiscal peril” scale

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 2
     New York received a score of 20 on the Pew Center on the States’ new report evaluating whether states are in fiscal peril. All states were compared with California, which received the highest score—30. Revenue is down more in New York than California—17.1 percent to 16.2 percent. The national [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 6:04pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Thousands expected to protest proposed cuts

  —Albany Watch

  Thousands of New York health-care workers are planning a rally in Albany tomorrow to protest Gov. David Paterson’s proposed $470 million cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and home-care providers. The governor has called for the reductions as part of his plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget deficit. [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 3:26pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Thousands expected to protest proposed cuts

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Thousands of New York health-care workers are planning a rally in Albany tomorrow to protest Gov. David Paterson’s proposed $470 million cuts to hospitals, nursing homes and home-care providers.    The governor has called for the reductions as part of his plan to close the state’s $3.2 billion mid-year budget deficit. The [...]
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  Posted: November 11, 2009, 3:19pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• CVS agrees to $875,000 settlement with state

  —Albany Watch

     State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that he reached an $875,000 settlement with CVS Pharmacy Inc. over the sale of expired products in New York, including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula.     CVS, which has about 432 stores in the state, has agreed to implement specific policies and procedures aimed [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 1:05pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• CVS agrees to $875,000 settlement with state

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo announced today that he reached an $875,000 settlement with CVS Pharmacy Inc. over the sale of expired products in New York, including milk, eggs, medicines and baby formula.     CVS, which has about 432 stores in the state, has agreed to implement specific policies and procedures aimed [...]
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  Posted: November 10, 2009, 1:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Monserrate panel holds first meeting

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 2
     Four members of the Senate’s Special Committee of Inquiry investigating the conduct of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, defended their ability to serve impartially this evening after a letter from Monserrate’s lawyer alleged they were “predisposed against” his client. The committee has been convened to review Monserrate’s domestic-violence case and determine whether his conviction [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:10pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Monserrate panel holds first meeting

  —Albany Watch

     Four members of the Senate’s Special Committee of Inquiry investigating the conduct of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, defended their ability to serve impartially this evening after a letter from Monserrate’s lawyer alleged they were “predisposed against” his client. The committee has been convened to review Monserrate’s domestic-violence case and determine whether his [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 8:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Special-interest groups protest budget cuts

  —Albany Watch

     As the Legislature prepares to meet in special session on budget cuts tomorrow, the halls of the Capitol and Legislative Office Building are busy with lobbyists and special-interest groups protesting proposed cuts in education, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and other areas.    New York State United Teachers, the Campaign [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:39pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Special-interest groups lobby against cuts

  —Politics on the Hudson

     As the Legislature prepares to meet in special session on budget cuts tomorrow, the halls of the Capitol and Legislative Office Building are busy with lobbyists and special-interest groups protesting proposed cuts in education, mental retardation and developmental disabilities, and other areas.    New York State United Teachers, the Campaign [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Cancer Society fights cuts with “Red Bra” campaign

  —Albany Watch

  The American Cancer Society launched a “Red Bra” campaign campaign today to urge lawmakers not to cut mammograms for the uninsured. A red bra is pictured above the words “Don’t leave New York women exposed” on a flyer from the organization. Albany lawmakers and the governor have already cut funding to provide [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:07pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Cancer Society protests cuts with “Red Bra” campaign

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The American Cancer Society launched a “Red Bra” campaign campaign today to urge lawmakers not to cut mammograms for the uninsured.    A red bra is pictured above the words “Don’t leave New York women exposed” on a flyer from the organization.    Albany lawmakers and the governor have already cut [...]
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  Posted: November 09, 2009, 1:02pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State proposes 1,000 housing units for NYC adult-home residents

  —Albany Watch

     State officials on Friday evening filed a U.S. District Court-ordered remedial plan for how to ensure that residents of adult homes in New York City have the opportunity to live in settings that are more integrated into the community. District Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled in September that about [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 2:10am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State proposes 1,000 housing units for NYC adult-home residents

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     State officials on Friday evening filed a U.S. District Court-ordered remedial plan for how to ensure that residents of adult homes in New York City have the opportunity to live in settings that are more integrated into the community. District Court Judge Nicholas Garaufis ruled in September that about [...]
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  Posted: November 07, 2009, 2:04am EST
  by Cara Matthews

• As current deficit looms large, state begins 2010-11 budget process

  —Albany Watch

     This year’s state $3.2 billion budget deficit is far from settled, but it’s time for the governor’s Division of Budget, the Legislature and the state Comptroller’s Office to start working on the 2010-11 spending plan.    At 9:30 a.m. Monday, the day before the special budget-cutting session called by Gov. David [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:30pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• As current deficit looms large, state begins 2010-11 budget process

  —Politics on the Hudson

     This year’s state $3.2 billion budget deficit is far from settled, but it’s time for the governor’s Division of Budget, the Legislature and the state Comptroller’s Office to start working on the 2010-11 spending plan.    At 9:30 a.m. Monday, the day before the special budget-cutting session called by Gov. David [...]
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  Posted: November 06, 2009, 5:28pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senators want law changed to protect patients

  —Albany Watch

  Number of comments: 1
     Two Democratic senators plan to announce legislation tomorrow that would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to someone by dropping entire lines of insurance.    The lawmakers cite the case of Ian Pearl, a 37-year-old with muscular dystrophy, whose around-the-clock nursing care costs more than $1 million [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:36pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• Senators want law changed to protect patients

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 1
     Two Democratic senators plan to announce legislation tomorrow that would make it illegal for insurance companies to deny coverage to someone by dropping entire lines of insurance.    The lawmakers cite the case of Ian Pearl, a 37-year-old with muscular dystrophy, whose around-the-clock nursing care costs more than $1 million [...]
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  Posted: November 04, 2009, 1:34pm EST
  by Cara Matthews

• State needs more time to craft remedy for disabled

  —Albany Watch

     The state has received a two-week extension to file a U.S. District Court-ordered remedial plan on how to place residents of adult homes in New York City in settings that are more integrated into the community.  Instead of this Friday, state officials have until Nov. 6.    Besides needing more time [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 3:06pm EDT
  by Cara Matthews

• State needs more time to craft remedy for disabled

  —Politics on the Hudson

     The state has received a two-week extension to file a U.S. District Court-ordered remedial plan on how to place residents of adult homes in New York City in settings that are more integrated into the community.  Instead of this Friday, state officials have until Nov. 6.    Besides needing more time [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 3:04pm EDT
  by Cara Matthews

• State workers’ “man cave” leads to 22-count indictment

  —Politics on the Hudson

     Two state employees have been indicted for allegedly blowing off work to hang out, sleep, watch TV and use and sell marijuana and cocaine in a “man cave” they set up at a public parking garage, according to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office.    Office of General Services employees Gary Pivoda, 48, [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 1:58pm EDT
  by Cara Matthews

• State workers’ “man cave” leads to 22-count indictment

  —Albany Watch

     Two state employees have been indicted for allegedly blowing off work to hang out, sleep, watch TV and use and sell marijuana and cocaine in a “man cave” they set up at a public parking garage, according to state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s office.    Office of General Services employees Gary Pivoda, 48, [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 1:55pm EDT
  by Cara Matthews

• Senate investigative panel retains attorney

  —Politics on the Hudson

  Number of comments: 3
     A Senate committee investigating the conduct of Sen. Hiram Monserrate, D-Queens, announced today that it has retained Daniel Alonso (pictured here), a partner in the Kaye Scholer LLP law firm, to serve as special counsel.    “Dan’s vast experience as a state and federal prosecutor makes him the ideal candidate [...]
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  Posted: October 22, 2009, 12:07pm EDT
  by Cara Matthews