Capitol Bureau

Cuomo Achieves Partial Win on Agenda

Karen DeWitt — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 21:34:19 +0000

Deals have been reached between Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders on siting new casinos and creating tax free zones at college campuses. But a bill on abortion rights was struggling, and reform measures appear dead for the session.

The agreement on casinos would allow four resort style gambling centers; one in the Capital Region, one in the Southern Tier, and possibly two in the Catskills, if voters approve the change to the state’s constitution in the fall.

Women's Groups Say Abortion Rights Vote Still Possible

Karen DeWitt — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:57:10 +0000

Women’s groups say they have not given up on abortion rights bill passing in the final days of the session, now that Governor Cuomo has introduced the Women’s Equality Act as 10 separate bills.

Tracey Brooks, with Family Planning Advocates, says women’s groups are asking Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos to bring the abortion rights measure to the floor as a stand alone bill. Brooks says Skelos, pledged two years ago to allow what’s known as a vote of conscience on social issues where Senators are divided.

21 Arrested as Progressive Groups Protest Gridlock on Key Bills

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 22:24:17 +0000

There were several arrests at the state Capitol Tuesday. Advocates took out their anger and frustration on Cuomo and leaders of the State Senate, after it became clear that a progressive agenda that includes abortion rights and public campaign financing are likely dead for the legislative session.

Cuomo's Agenda in Danger as Session Wanes

Karen DeWitt — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 22:50:19 +0000

There’s three days left in the legislative session, and chances are dimming for a settlement on an abortion rights provision in a women’s equality act, and for reform of campaign financing and other anti-corruption measures.

Meanwhile, a new poll finds the public increasingly dissatisfied.

As the session winds down, it seems that two of the governor’s top agenda items are doomed in the State Senate.

Supporters Urge Senate Vote on Marijuana Decriminalization

Karen DeWitt — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 21:33:32 +0000

Members of the legislature’s Black and Hispanic caucus and their allies made a last minute push for a bill to decriminalize the public possession of small amounts of marijuana, saying current laws unfairly target young black and Latino men.

Cuomo's Abortion Rights Bill to Be Amended

Karen DeWitt — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 19:14:47 +0000

Women’s groups have agreed to amend abortion rights language in a women’s equality bill to clarify that a late term abortion procedure that opponents call partial birth abortion will continue to be illegal in New York.

Several Republican Senators said they couldn’t support a proposal to codify into New York State law the abortion rights afforded to women in the federal Roe v Wade decision. They said they feared it would promote late term abortions, including partial birth abortion, which are currently illegal in the US.

With One Week To Go in Session , Cuomo Campaigns Across State for Agenda

Karen DeWitt — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 21:46:27 +0000

It’s getting down to the wire for major pieces of legislation as the end of session approaches in Albany, and Governor Cuomo has yet to strike a deal with the legislature on a number of major issues, including a Women’s Equality Act that has an abortion rights provision, and a reform agenda that includes public financing of political campaigns. Cuomo also wants to set up tax free zones at college campuses and win approval to site three new gambling casinos upstate.

With Just Over One Week to go, Cuomo Rolls Out Public Campaign Financing Bill

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:06:57 +0000

With just over a week left in the legislative session, Governor Cuomo released his bill to extend public financing of political campaigns to statewide races. But he still faces resistance from some factions in the legislature.

Women's Groups Targeting State Senate Over Abortion Rights Provision

Karen DeWitt — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 19:03:02 +0000

Women’s groups are putting pressure on the State Senate’s ruling coalition to take up Governor Cuomo’s Women’s Equality Act, which includes an abortion rights provision.

Senator DeFrancisco, a Syracuse Republican and Chair of the Finance Committee, said in an interview with public radio and television that most New York women aren’t that interested in the proposal, “and would not even lose a night’s sleep about expanding abortion rights” .

Top GOP Senator Says Cuomo's Abortion Rights Provision Still a "Non-Starter"

Karen DeWitt — Fri, 07 Jun 2013 20:57:00 +0000

A top Senate Republican says Governor Cuomo’s abortion rights provision in a women’s equality bill stands little chance of passage in the chamber.