New York NOW

New York knows a thing or two about father-son legacies at the State Capitol.  Andrew Cuomo became the first son of a governor to be elected to the same office in 2010.  This week we explore a similar story that occurred on the West Coast.

Former Capitol reporter Miriam Pawel has a new book out titled "The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty that Transformed a State and Shaped a Nation."  It features the unusual political career of outgoing California Governor Jerry Brown who had a 28 year gap between the times he was elected by Californians.

Tune in this weekend on your local PBS station.

Senate Minority Leader Andrea Stewart Cousins is looking ahead to 2019 when Democrats will seize control of the chamber and will become the first woman and first African-American woman to lead the chamber. She outlines for us this week her conference's priorities and why she thinks it will be different this time around now that Democrats have control of the Senate for the first time since 2010.

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While the expected "Blue Wave" of Democratic wins wasn't as big as some may have expected or hoped, it came upon the shores of the Empire State. Governor Cuomo and other statewide candidates cruised to victory, numerous Congressional seats flipped and the State Senate is back firmly in the hands of the Democratic Party.

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In a year in which some expect a "Blue Wave," Marc Molinaro is hoping to somehow stem the tide and pull off a statewide win for governor, something a Republican hasn't accomplished since 2002. The numbers have not been encouraging. He has been down by at least 20 points in the last several polls and has struggled to raise funds. Despite this, he says there is a path for victory.

Learn More: nynow.org

Congressman Paul Tonko (D-Amsterdam) and Republican challenger Joe Vitollo faced off in a mid-term election debate. Tonko, a former state assemblyman, was first elected in 2008 replacing the retiring Mike McNulty. Vitollo is a nurse and veteran of the Air Force. This was a rematch of the 2016 race, won by Tonko.

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Listen to a discussion about North Country politics with longtime Mountain Lake PBS journalist Thom Hallock. Featuring clips from the first TV debate between NY21 candidates Elise Stefanik, Tedra Cobb, and Lynn Kahn & analysis on the one, and likely only, debate between Governor Andrew Cuomo and Marc Molinaro.

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19th Congressional District candidates Antonio Delgado and Rep. John Faso (R-Kinderhook) debate.

The race for the 19th Congressional District seat is traditionally one of the most watched and most expensive in the country. A Democrat has not held the seat since 2010, but Barack Obama did win the district in both 2008 and 2012. 

Faso won decisively over Zephyr Teachout two years ago (watch their WMHT debate here), but recent polls by SienaCollege and Monmouth show the race to be a virtual dead heat.

Learn about a diversion program run by the Glens Falls Hospital Center for Discovery and the Council for Prevention. The goal is to get those who are suffering from an opioid addiction out of the criminal justice system, into treatment, and help reduce the days spent behind bars.

Learn More: nynow.org

The upcoming election looks bleak for statewide Republican candidates. The lone bright spot in the poll was Keith Wofford's performance. The attorney general candidate is down 14 points to Democrat Tish James, currently the NYC Public Advocate. Wofford sits down to make his case for the job.

 

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The Adirondack Park Forest Preserve has never been so popular and that's what has Scott Van Laer so concerned.

The longtime forest ranger has been traveling inside the Blue Line all year making a push to local governments about the need for more help.  The Department of Environmental Conservations says there are 135 currently patrolling state land.  Van Laer wants to see that number increased to reflect the growing popularity and acreage added under Governor Andrew Cuomo's tenure.

 

Learn more: nynow.org