Government

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Senate Republicans have introduced ethics legislation requiring state officials file financial disclosures for everyone they live with — a move that would affect Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Cuomo girlfriend and television chef Sandra Lee lives with the governor. The bill would expand existing annual disclosure beyond an official, spouse and dependent children.

Cuomo proposed last week to require detailed disclosure of officials' outside income, which would apply to many Senate Republicans who are lawyers.

A state audit just released by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli is critical of the compensation programs used for top executives at the Rochester Regional Transportation Authority.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  The awarding of a casino license in New York's Southern Tier could take another step as the state's casino location board votes on requesting bids from developers who want to build and operate the facility. 

The Gaming Facility Location Board on Friday will be reviewing the bid documents put together by staff.

It's also expected to approve the report with detailed findings on all 16 applicants in earlier bidding, which resulted in recommendations for new casinos in the Catskills, Schenectady and the Finger Lakes.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  New York lawmakers have begun debating grand jury reforms meant to restore trust when police are investigated. 

The issue is getting attention following last year's death of an unarmed Staten Island man in a videotaped confrontation with city police where no officers were later indicted. 

Eric Garner's death in an apparent chokehold led to major protests. 

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP)  Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to visit Cuba this spring for a state trade mission to the communist nation. 

Cuomo and Jose Ramon Cabanas, chief of the Obama administration's Cuban Interests Section, say Thursday that the New York Democrat will lead a delegation to Cuba on April 20. 

A new Siena College poll shows that New York State voters trust their local governments more than they do the state or federal governments.

The survey shows that 28 percent of voters trust the state or federal government to do what is right, at least most of the time, while 43 percent trust their local government most or all of the time.

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York has begun a new statewide campaign to fight campus sexual assault and support Gov. Andrew Cuomo's call to expand a new sexual consent policy to private colleges.

Cuomo announced the "Enough is Enough" campaign Wednesday. The initiative includes a website, video and a new 24-hour hotline operated by the state police for reporting sexual violence on college campuses.

Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren is asking for a substantial hike in state aid for the coming budget year. She testified before state lawmakers Wednesday in Albany on what is traditionally called "Tin Cup " a day where some of the mayors from around the state make their case for more aid.

Warren wants an increase of  $31 million in so-called "AIM" aid, up to $119 million.  She says that additional aid could help Rochester bring more jobs, safer neighborhoods and better schools for city residents.

There are a couple of developments on the local political front. Rochester City Councilman Adam McFadden, who had earlier said he was undecided about whether he will seek a fourth term, now says he will run for re-election this fall.

McFadden, who represents the South District,  has been on City Council for almost 12 years and says there are a number of things he’d like to work on if re-elected including looking at what the city can do to encourage job creation and finding ways to address what he calls an ‘atrocious’ black male graduation rate of nine percent.  

The Police Union has moved to stall the city's reorganization plan until contract concerns are addressed. The union filed improper labor practice charges against the city, a move that will maintain the status quo while the charges are investigated by the Public Employment Relations Board.

The reorganization reopened contracts between the city and the union, and Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo says they still have a lot to work out. He says the city is participating in what he calls "surface negotiating."