WXXI Top Stories

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Governor Paterson, citing a little known clause of the state constitution, says he'll name Richard Ravtich, the former chair of the New York City MTA, as Lieutenant Governor, in hopes of breaking the month long gridlock in the State Senate. The move set off a firestorm of reaction, and, almost certainly, a court challenge.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – It was a day of one upsmanship and parliamentary maneuvers between the two feuding factions in the Senate. At the end of the day Democrats were claiming that a quorum had been formed and the Senate had acted on several key bills, but the Republicans were crying foul.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – After Tuesday's chaotic dueling sessions in the Senate chamber, Senators on both sides of the feud decided not to hold a special session at all Wednesday. Governor Paterson says he's going to court and will have the state troopers bring Senators into the chamber, if necessary, if they don't show up Thursday.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Governor Paterson's attempts to force the State Senate to meet in special session degenerated into confusion and chaos, as both warring factions held dueling sessions in the Senate chamber. At the end of the day, even the governor's own lawyers were questioning whether any of the Senators actions, which included the passage of numerous bills, were even legal.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – Governor David Paterson says he's giving Senators until the close of business Monday to settle their differences in a leadership dispute that's paralyzed that house for over two weeks. Paterson says if there's no agreement, he'll call an extraordinary session of the Senate on Tuesday.

By WXXI Staff

Albany, NY – The action in Albany has moved from the courts, to the leaders of the state Senate - and is due back in court on Tuesday afternoon. Click the "Listen" link to get the rundown with WXXI's Rachel Ward and Albany Bureau Chief Karen DeWitt.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – The second week of turmoil began for the New York State Senate, with yet another change of allegiance from a renegade Democrat, leaving the chamber split in a 31-31 tie. Both sides now say they are looking to a State Supreme court judge to resolve the impasse.

The second week since the surprise coup in the Senate began with one of the original coup supporters, Democrat Hiram Monserrate, confirming that he has gone back into the Democratic fold.

By WXXI Staff

Albany, NY – Dissident state Senator Hiram Monserrate has forced a change in leadership in the Democratic caucus in the state senate, as a condition of his return to the fold, from an opposition coalition that he helped create last week. Monserrate's return gives Democrats 31 seats, with a Republican-led coalition also holding 31.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, New York – The Senate coalition of thirty Republicans and two Democrats forced their way through an angry mob into the Senate chamber Thursday, and held a brief meeting. The remaining Democrats, who tried unsuccessfully to obtain a court order to stop the proceedings, called it a mockery and a sham.

By WXXI Staff

Canandaigua, NY – Governor David Paterson will be in the Finger Lakes Thursday, to announce federal funding for a transportation project in Canandaigua.

The governor has been traveling the state this week unveiling funding and projects.
On the 9th he'll be at the Department of Transportation Maintenance Facility on Parrish Street in Canandaigua, at 10 a.m.

Later in the day he'll head to Niagara Falls for a similar announcement.