New York NOW

A New Session; State of the State Reaction

This week on New York Now, we welcome Dan Clark for the first time as host. We'll have a recap and analysis of Governor Andrew Cuomo's 10th State of the State address, as well as reaction from lawmakers going into the new session. Karen DeWitt and Yancey Roy of Newsday join us for Reporters Roundtable.
Learn more: nynow.org

Previewing the State of the State Address

This week on New York Now—we’re less than a week away from Governor Andrew Cuomo’s State of the State address, where he’s expected to put forth a number of proposals that include high-speed rail, a vaping ban, legalizing paid surrogacy and more. We’ll have a preview of all that and more on the Reporter’s Roundtable. Casey Seiler of the Times Union hosts, joined by Karen Dewitt and Anna Gronewald of Politico NY.
Also on this episode, Dan Clark of the New York Law Journal talks to United University Professions President Fred Kowal about the union’s new NY-25 plan to improve the SUNY system, and Karen DeWitt speaks with upstate Assemblyman Phil Steck (D-Colonie) about the possibility of reinstating an old tax to help reduce the state’s $6 billion deficit.
Learn more: nynow.org

Hate Crimes; Court Consolidation; Green Light Law

This week on New York Now, we’ll have a look back at an anti-Semitic incident in the North Country in the 1920s that ended up having a major political impact on the state. The kidnapping of a four-year-old in Massena New York, and the subsequent blame that fell on the Jewish population at the time is the subject of New York University Professor Edward Berenson’s new book, The Accusation: Blood Libel in an American Town. Casey Seiler of the Times Union sat down with Berenson to discuss his book.
Ray Suarez chats with Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks about the New York State Unified Court System’s plan to streamline the state’s complex court structure.
And Casey Seiler leads a discussion of the week’s news on the Reporters Roundtable with Bernadette Hogan of the New York Post and Dan Clark of the New York Law Journal.
Learn more at nynow.org

Taking a Look at Foundation Aid

This week on New York Now, we take a look at Foundation Aid. After months of public roundtables, will state lawmakers move to change the formula that determines aid for public schools? The Times Union’s Rachel Silberstein speaks with three education advocates about why they think it should happen.
Ray Suarez chats with the Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb (R-Canandaigua) about vocal opposition to the state’s criminal justice reforms set to take effect January 1. The reforms include the elimination of cash bail, which has been particularly controversial.
And Casey Seiler leads a discussion of the week’s news on the Reporters Roundtable with Karen DeWitt and Dan Clark of the New York Law Journal.
 
Learn more at nynow.org

Can New York Indict a Sitting President?

As the impeachment hearings continue in Washington, New York has been at the center of President Donald Trump’s legal woes. From Federal cases concerning his family charity to investigations of business dealings with banks by State Attorney General Leticia James, the majority of his legal battles are being fought hundreds of miles from Washington—in the Empire State.
On this episode of New York Now, host Ray Suarez sits down with two Constitutional law scholars—Paul Finkelman of Gratz College and Vincent Bonventre of Albany Law School—to discuss what the future may hold for the president’s legal troubles, and what role New York state might play in that future.
Learn More: nynow.org

Senator Stewart-Cousins; Adirondack Overuse

Are New Yorkers loving the Adirondacks to death? Concerns about overuse in the park have spurred state action. Also, Karen DeWitt speaks to Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins about her priorities for the upcoming session. At the Reporters Roundtable, Casey Seiler leads a discussion of the week’s news with Karen DeWitt and Mike Gormley of Newsday.

Maternal Mortality, JCOPE & Cuomo

Did the NYS Joint Commission of Public Ethics illegally leak information to Governor Cuomo concerning the fate of his disgraced former aide Joe Percoco? We’ll have the latest on a secret investigation by the inspector general.
Also, we speak to a doctor on a state-appointed board that’s investigating the cause of maternal deaths in New York.
At our Reporters Roundtable, we analyze the week’s headlines with Casey Seiler of the Times Union and Brendan Lyons and Bill Mahoney of Politico New York.

Police Misconduct Records, Public Campaign Finance

Will state lawmakers repeal a controversial civil rights law that protects police misconduct records? We’ll take a look at the issue from both sides. We also examine how a new statewide public campaign finance system could affect future elections and third parties. At the Reporters Roundtable, Karen DeWitt and Bernadette Hogan of the New York Post join us to analyze this week’s news.

Will New York State Ban Flavored Vaping Products?

The latest on how the vaping-related health crisis is affecting New York.
We’ll also touch on another controversial ban state lawmakers may consider – prohibiting tackle football before age 12. A recent study revealed a link between an increased risk of the degenerative brain disease CTE and playing tackle at an early age.

The Path to Early Voting

On this episode of New York Now, it’s the eve of New York’s first early voting period.
We’ll be taking a look at how one county prepared for the process, which wasn’t as smooth as hoped. Many counties across the state struggled to find accessible polling places. Others dealt with upgrading voting technology to accommodate early voting. Will the state and counties iron out the wrinkles by next year for the presidential election? Join us.
The early voting period starts October 26 and ends November 3. Check your county board of elections for details on where you can vote early this year.At the Reporters Roundtable, Karen DeWitt and Michael Gormley of Newsday join us to analyze this week’s news.