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New York State Politics

Ex-NY Sen. to plead guilty to tax charge

Associated Press

WHITE PLAINS -- Former New York state Sen. Nicholas Spano plans to admit in court that he failed to pay $52,000 in income taxes. A person close to the case, who demanded confidentiality because the plea had not yet been entered, says Spano will...... Full story

Skelos: WNY, NYC face loss of Congress seats

Associated Press

ALBANY -- New York state Senate leader Dean Skelos (SKEHL'-ohs) says population losses show redistricting could eliminate one congressional seat in western New York and another in New York City. Skelos tells the Buffalo News that although...... Full story

Council: state budget cuts threaten Adirondacks

Associated Press

ALBANY -- The Adirondack Council says cuts in major environmental initiatives and staff losses at state regulatory agencies are threatening the Adirondack Park's natural resources and tourism. Scott Lorey, Legislative Director for the non-profit...... Full story

NY comptroller, leaders fear power grab in budget

Michael Gormley

ALBANY -- Leaders in Gov. Andrew Cuomo's own Democratic Party as well as his close Republican Senate ally on Tuesday accused the governor of a making a power grab in his budget proposal, saying he was trying to claim too much control over state...... Full story

NY official: Much work needed on 'fracking' regs

Associated Press

ALBANY -- New York's environment commissioner says the proposed state budget doesn't include money for regulating hydraulic fracturing because "considerable work" needs to be done on 61,000 public comments about the natural gas drilling...... Full story

NY comptroller weighs in on Cuomo budget proposal

Associated Press

ALBANY -- State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says his analysis of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget shows it continues to restrain spending growth, but at a cost. DiNapoli notes the last two budgets by Cuomo and the Legislature are reducing...... Full story

NY Legislature digs into Cuomo's tax plan

Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York's Legislature will consider taxes at its next public hearing on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget. The legislative hearings will look at a few measures to raise taxes on loose tobacco and on cigars proposed by Cuomo....... Full story

NY officials warn of lottery scam with phony check

Associated Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York officials are warning people about a lottery scam involving phony checks that appear to have been issued by the state. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says scammers are sending out letters telling people they have...... Full story

Comptroller: NY rebounding unevenly around state

Associated Press

ALBANY -- State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli said Thursday that New York has recovered less than half the jobs lost during the recession and a weakening Wall Street and global economy make for a gloomy outlook. DiNapoli's report on economic trends...... Full story

Cuomo amps up pressure on teachers, Legislature

Michael Gormley

ALBANY -- Gov. Andrew Cuomo declared Wednesday that the "Battle of Albany" is on. Taking on the state's traditionally powerful teachers unions, Cuomo threatened to impose tougher job evaluations Feb. 16 if the unions continue to, as he put...... Full story

Koch blasts NY Legislature over new district lines

Associated Press

ALBANY -- Former New York Mayor Ed Koch says he's sure the state Legislature will soon unveil new election district lines that further protect majority party incumbents despite pledges lawmakers made in the last campaign to draw non-partisan lines....... Full story

Ex-NY senator and son plead not guilty

Associated Press

NEW YORK -- A former New York state senator and his son have pleaded not guilty to new charges in their corruption case. Pedro Espada Jr. and his son, Pedro G. Espada, entered the pleas Wednesday in federal court in Brooklyn. The revised...... Full story

NY Legislature set to release new district lines

Associated Press

New York's Republican-led Senate and the Assembly's Democratic majority this week are expected to release the new election districts they propose for use over the next 10 years. Good-government groups are wary the majorities will use the process to...... Full story

Schneiderman backs expanded mortgage probe

ALBANY -- New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is expected to chair President Barack Obama's new committee investigating the mortgage-backed securities that contributed to the national economic collapse. In is State of the Union speech...... Full story

Senator Breslin speaks out about possible 63rd district

Kassata Edwards

Albany -- It's called redistricting, every 10 years lawmakers review census numbers and look at districts to make sure they continue to be fair and represent New Yorkers. The possibility of a 63rd district stretching from Amsterdam to Kingston and...... Full story