Politics

Republican legislators want to curtail messages of necessity

Tuesday, February 5th, 2013, 6:55pm

SARATOGA SPRINGS - Republican Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin of Melrose was among about two dozen legislators criticizing the rush to bring New York's gun bills to a vote.

"And we're told basically to shut up and vote and that's what this is all about. Just don't question it. Just vote."

McLaughlin compared the Governor's push to get the vote done just hours after it was unveiled, to a dictatorship.

That's basically the message here. If that's not dictatorial, I don't know what is. Hitler would be proud. Mussolini would be proud of what we did here," he said.

McLaughlin was criticized by the Anti-Defamation League, who called the remarks "deeply offensive. He later apologized, saying, he let his "passion overcome" him.

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Schumer optimistic Congress will pass federal gun laws

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 11:51pm

Even though the gun fight may be over at the state Capitol, the war of words across the nation goes on. That's what lawmakers, state and federal, were saying today in Albany.

Passing gun control legislation here in New York wasn't enough for total efficiency here in New York, and that's why what happens in adjacent states and in Washington is so vital to gun control proponents.

Even though the sweeping gun control legislation approved Tuesday by the New York legislature should substantially strengthen the state's gun control laws, it's not perfect and much more still needs to be done, according to freshman Albany Assemblywoman Patricia Fahy.

"It was such a big step in the right direction. Now I only hope that federally they can do more," said Fahy.

"It's better to have New York's laws then not, whether the federal government does something or not," U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer said.

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NRA: NY’s quick gun law passage nixed opposition

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, January 17th, 2013, 5:37pm

The National Rifle Association said the secretive negotiations and lightning-fast passage of New York’s tough new gun control laws squelched the powerful gun lobby’s ability to mount opposition.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he had to engineer quick enactment to prevent a counterproductive buying spree of now-outlawed guns.

The legislation was negotiated over the weekend, introduced on the first day of the 2013 legislative session and signed into law the next day.

The NRA, which has thwarted such restrictions nationwide, had members working the phones but didn’t have enough time to coordinate a public rally. The gun-rights group and some New York lawmakers say the rushed legislation also undermined public input and meaningful debate.

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Deliberations continue at ballot fraud trial

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, December 19th, 2012, 7:21pm

TROY - Jury deliberation continued Wednesday in the second trial of Rensselaer County Elections Commissioner Ed McDonough.

He faces 62 felony counts of ballot fraud in the 2009 primary.

McDonough's first trial ended in a hung jury earlier this year.

This is the second trial for McDonough, who is accused of ballot fraud.

Bill Lambdin is live at the Rensselaer County Courthouse with the latest.

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Judge won't dismiss new charges against Bruno

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Wednesday, December 12th, 2012, 7:32pm

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A federal judge has refused to dismiss two fraud charges filed against former New York Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno after his original convictions were overturned.

The 83-year-old was convicted in 2009 of two charges of honest services fraud and acquitted of five others. Prosecutors said he used his influence as a legislator to make money through undisclosed consulting on the side.

An appeals court voided the convictions last year, citing a U.S. Supreme Court decision in another case that prosecutors must show direct bribes or kickbacks.

U.S. District Judge Gary Sharpe said in a decision released Wednesday that the new indictment doesn't subject Bruno to unconstitutional double jeopardy since his convictions were set aside.

Trial is scheduled for February.

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Fuel added to fire between Troy police chief, city leaders

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Friday, December 7th, 2012, 2:34am

TROY - Troy's police chief won't be granting any interviews for a while.

Chief John Tedesco did not mince words during an interview with NewsChannel 13 Friday.

"They are bringing in a lackey to take care of the Democratic majority on the Council," he said.

His apparent outrage was not surprising, considering it was in response to how he felt about the Democrat-led City Commission approving a public safety commissioner, essentially a new boss for Tedesco, to oversee the Troy Police Department.

But it was that interview, Republican Councilman Mark McGrath maintains, that got the chief in trouble. McGrath, who also appeared in the piece in opposition to the new position, reports that Tedesco was served a notice of discipline due to his very public comments regarding city leaders last week

When contacted today, Tedesco had "no comment" on what has unfolded since Friday.

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NY Rep. Gibson won't sign no-tax pledge again

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Thursday, November 29th, 2012, 10:49am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A spokeswoman for Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Gibson says the congressman who supported a no-tax pledge as a candidate won't sign the same pledge when his new term begins.

Gibson represented the 20th Congressional District when he signed the pledge championed by conservative anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist. Now, Gibson represents the 19th district in eastern New York and spokeswoman Stephanie Valle says he won't re-sign the pledge.

She says he still opposes raising tax rates for individuals or businesses but "will consider all comprehensive packages" negotiated by congressional leadership and the Obama administration. Gibson calls for closing loopholes and limiting some deductions in the tax code.

The question over tax hikes has taken on importance as leaders try to negotiate a way to avoid year-end spending cuts and tax increases.

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