Senecas fight tax with cash in elections
ALBANY — Seen as cash cows for a cash-starved state government, the Seneca Nation is expanding its latest strategy to block tax collection efforts on its lucrative cigarette operations: The tribe will target, with campaign cash, state politicians who openly oppose the tax-free sales. (Updated: 10/31/09 8:22 AM )
As $10 billion state deficit looms, leaders confront ‘tough decisions’
ALBANY — New York State’s budget deficit, continuing its “bad news” ways, is projected as ballooning to $10 billion over the next 18 months. In addition, officials are warning that the state is likely to continue its traditional path of coming out of the recession later than the rest of the nation. (Updated: 10/30/09 6:59 AM )
Indian violence feared over cigarettes
NEW YORK — State police have speculated that any government effort to block the flow of tax-free cigarettes onto New York’s Indian reservations would lead to violence and could possibly escalate into a “military problem,” an adviser to Gov. David A. Paterson said Tuesday. (Updated: 10/28/09 7:29 AM )
Collins apologizes for calling Silver an Antichrist
County Executive Chris Collins has apologized to Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver after
comparing him to Adolf Hitler and an "Antichrist" during remarks at Saturday evening's Erie
County Republican dinner at the Adam's Mark Hotel. (Updated: 10/26/09 11:32 PM )
Thorny issue of Indian tax shifts Albany gaze to D. C.
ALBANY — State officials, led by Gov. David A. Paterson, signaled a growing interest in letting Washington solve New York’s long-standing problem of what to do about tax-free cigarette sales on Indian reservations. (Updated: 10/22/09 7:15 AM )
Safety bill faces rough flight in Senate
WASHINGTON — An aviation safety bill that passed the House by 398 votes faces far tougher challenges in the Senate, including growing industry opposition, the intrusion of extraneous issues that could delay or doom the safety measures and a tight Senate schedule. (Updated: 10/16/09 6:36 AM )
Senator avoids felony conviction
ALBANY — A brash state senator from Queens who was a central figure in the coup that led to a brief Republican majority in the Senate was found guilty Thursday on a misdemeanor charge for cutting his girlfriend’s face with a broken glass. (Updated: 10/16/09 6:36 AM )
Death penalty upheld in slaying
A ruling in Sudan has upheld death sentences for four Sudanese terrorists who assassinated John Granville, an American diplomat who grew up in South Buffalo. (Updated: 10/15/09 6:36 AM )
Gillibrand takes aim at tainted food, pushes for E. coli inspections
WASHINGTON — Noting that approximately 5 million state residents — including 360,000 Western New Yorkers — get sick from tainted food each year, Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand said Tuesday that she will be pushing several tough new food safety measures. (Updated: 10/14/09 7:29 AM )
New law to advance energy efficiency
An energy-efficiency program hailed as the most ambitious in the country was signed into law Tuesday in Syracuse. (Updated: 10/14/09 6:51 AM )
103 witnesses to testify against Bruno
ALBANY—Federal prosecutors plan to call 103 witnesses in their corruption case against former State Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, including business associates, former aides, top lobbyists, lawmakers and two reporters. (Updated: 10/07/09 6:57 AM )
Newsman held in extortion of Letterman
NEW YORK — A CBS newsman who prosecutors said was desperate and deep in debt was charged Friday with trying to blackmail David Letterman for $2 million in a plot that forced the late night comic to acknowledge having sex with women who work for him. (Updated: 10/03/09 8:58 AM )
Lazio, Cox visits signal campaign is under way
Criticism of President Obama’s “Chicago-style politics” and a call for drastic overhaul of state government highlighted the Wednesday appearances of two top New York Republicans in yet another sign that the 2010 campaign for governor is well under way. (Updated: 09/24/09 8:01 AM )
Lazio looks to tune in upstate issues
ALBANY — What a difference time and a bruising political defeat have made on the outlook of Rick Lazio. (Updated: 09/21/09 8:22 AM )
Lazio prepares a run for governor
ALBANY — As Republicans await word on whether their biggest gun — Rudolph Giuliani — will run for governor, a former Long Island congressman who previously lost the 2000 U. S. Senate race to Hillary Rodham Clinton is preparing to announce his own gubernatorial bid next week. (Updated: 09/16/09 7:24 AM )