New York NOW

It's been almost a decade since the "Senate Coup" brought a stalemate to the chamber, but the old days may be coming back.

Republican Tom Croci's decision to return to active duty in the U.S. Navy means the State Senate has an equal number of members in both conferences.  If the 31 senators on both sides of the aisle vote along party lines, nothing will get passed. 

Dave Lombardo of the Times Union and Dan Clark of Politifact New York join the Reporters Roundtable this week to analyze the dramatic events that took place inside the Capitol.

Also, we'll hear from Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie as his Democratic conference looks into the possible legalization of sports betting and marijuana.For more news, visit nynow.org

The Democrats overwhelmingly selected Governor Andrew Cuomo, Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul, Attorney General candidate Tish James, and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli to represent them this fall.  Cuomo, despite the fact that he is a heavy favorite to beat Democratic challenger Cynthia Nixon in the September primary, still brought in the biggest names in his party for support.  Hillary Clinton endorsed him on Wednesday  and Joe Biden nominated him 24 hours later. 

On the Republican side, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro is at the top of the ticket.  He's joined on the ballot by Keith Wofford, the first GOP African American nominee for Attorney General and Jonathan Trichter for comptroller.

Ken Lovett of the Daily News and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio join us for analysis.For more news, visit nynow.org

Still reeling from the shocking fall of former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman, a bipartisan group of legislators in Albany held hearings to find his successor. Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood appears to be the favorite to fill the role until the end of the calendar year. She has already stated she will not seek election to the position.

Learn more: nynow.org

After the initial shock over the abuse allegations that caused Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to resign, lawmakers are now focusing on picking his replacement.  Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced the chamber was accepting applications until Friday and will begin the interview process next week.  Jockeying has begun but will lawmakers select an Albany lawmaker or someone outside the Capitol?

We'll have reaction and analysis this week at the Reporters Roundtable with Yancey Roy of Newsday and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio.  Join us on your local PBS station.

In the last week, five Senate Republicans have opted not to run for re-election. Long Island’s Tom Croci and Bill Larkin of the Hudson Valley are the latest to say they won’t be returning to Albany in 2019. Also, get an analysis of the week’s news at the Reporters Roundtable.

Learn more: nynow.org

She's been a pioneer for women in the broadcast journalism field for decades and this week Cokie Roberts of ABC News and NPR sits down to discuss her career and the current state of politics in 2018.

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Governor Andrew Cuomo issues an executive order that will now allow parolees to vote. Biographer Scott Greenberger discusses the forgotten Gilded Age where Chester A. Arthur went from political hack to surprising reformer. The Reporters Roundtable analyzes the week in political news.

Learn more: nynow.org

Those with good memories will recall the former governor that Andrew Cuomo constantly lavished during his first year in office. Ironically, it wasn't his father Mario.

Cuomo thought so highly of Al Smith that he featured his portrait in the Red Room during the beginning of his tenure. He often told the story of how "The Happy Warrior" consolidated state government and set a new standard for progressive politics.

This week on the program, Dr. Robert Chiles sits down with us to discuss his new book on the former four-term governor and presidential candidate titled "The Revolution of '28: Al Smith, American Progressivism, and the Coming of the New Deal."

Also, reporters Mike Gormley of Newsday and Ken Lovett of the Daily News analyze the week's news.For more news, visit nynow.org

What a news week in the Empire State!

It’s only April but it sure felt like November. The current Republican favorite to win the nomination for governor officially entered the race this week.  Marc Molinaro announced his candidacy from his hometown of Tivoli. Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Governor Cuomo on the Democratic side, made multiple trips upstate where she criticized the governor on everything from his handling of the Hoosick Falls water contamination crisis to his assistance in helping the Democrats in the State Senate reunite. Also,Elise Stefanik faced a rough crowd at a forum in the North County.  The Republican has faced criticism for her lack of accessibility at times during her two terms in Congress.

We’ll analyze the busy week at the Reporters Roundtable with David Lombardo of the Times Union and Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio.  Watch us on your local PBS station.

 

Learn more: nynow.org

Cynthia Nixon, a Democratic challenger to Governor Andrew Cuomo, was in the midst of an upstate tour with stops in Syracuse and Rochester. She talked to our Karen DeWitt about why she’s taken the plunge and is challenging the powerful incumbent in 2018.