Karen Dewitt

Fracking Not Currently in NY's Economic Development Plans

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 22 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Governor Cuomo, who still has not issued a decision on whether hydro fracking should be allowed in New York, is backing further away from the controversial gas drilling process in his economic development plans for the future.

Two years ago, Governor Cuomo considered hydro fracking a key component of his plans for economic development in the faltering upstate regions of the state.

Vito Lopez Report Details Disturbing Allegations of Sexual Harassment

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 15 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

The Legislative Ethics Commission released its report on the sexual harassment allegations against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. It’s conclusions have New York’s National Organization for Women calling for a vote of no confidence against the still serving Assemblyman, and the Republicans calling for Silver to resign.

Gov. Cuomo Details Local Gov't Bail Out Plan

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 14 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined his proposal for a new local government restructuring board to help financially distressed communities deal with long term budget problems.

New York Ethics Report in Sen. Lopez Scandal Could Be Released This Month

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 10 May 2013 15:38:37 +0000

The state ethics commission report on the Assemblyman Vito Lopez sexual harassment scandal might finally be made public later this month.

The Joint Commission on Public Ethics, or JCOPE, issued a report on its investigation into sexual harassment charges against Brooklyn Assemblyman Vito Lopez back in February. The report was also to address how Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and his aides handled the matter.

Governor Cuomo Outlined Upstate Casinos Plans

Karen Dewitt — Fri, 10 May 2013 09:55:42 +0000

New York Governor Cuomo outlined the details of his plan to site three gambling casinos upstate.

Cuomo, joined by union and business leaders, and representatives from county governments, offered more details of a plan to build three new gambling casinos. Cuomo says he wants to limit the locations to upstate regions for now, to prop up the failing economy. The governor says upstate needs jobs like it needs “oxygen.” And he says having a downstate location would devalue the upstate centers.

Court Releases Names of More NY Lawmakers Under Cloud of Corruption

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 08 May 2013 19:50:22 +0000

Eight more names of lawmakers and others potentially involved in corruption were made public Wednesday, when a judge ordered prosecutors in the case of convicted ex- Senator Shirley Huntley to make public the names of her colleagues that she secretly recorded. WAMC's Capitol Correspondent Karen Dewitt reports.

Controversy Over Access Overshadows Senate Hearing

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 07 May 2013 22:06:00 +0000

A hearing by Senate Republicans on New York City’s public campaign financing system was overshadowed by protests, as government reform groups and other members of the public were denied entry, and noisy protests ensued.

The Senate GOP sent out notices that there would be a public hearing on what the Republicans say are the “abuses” in New York City’s public campaign finance system.

Another New York State Senator Arrested

Karen Dewitt — Mon, 06 May 2013 22:00:00 +0000

Former Senate Democratic Leader John Sampson turned himself in to federal authorities Monday, after being accused in a nine count indictment of embezzling nearly half a million dollars from mortgage foreclosure accounts, and then trying to cover it up.

New York Lawmakers Consider Delaying Casino Vote

Karen Dewitt — Thu, 02 May 2013 22:06:00 +0000

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders tried to jumpstart negotiations over siting several new gambling casinos in New York. But they also conceded that the plans might be delayed for another year.

Legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo met for the first time together in over a month, and they focused on an issue they had originally hoped to settle in the budget, the expansion of gambling in New York.

Controversy Causes Fracking Consultant to Resign from Industry Lobby Group

Karen Dewitt — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 21:42:31 +0000

Opponents of hydro fracking are charging there’s a potential conflict of interest with a consultant to Governor Cuomo’s environmental agency. They are asking that the years-long review of fracking in New York be restarted. The controversy caused the consultant in question to sever all ties with a gas industry lobby group.