New York NOW

Should New York Have A Constitutional Convention?

Should New York State hold a Constitutional Convention?
The question has sparked a vigorous debate as voters prepare to tackle the issue this November.  Proposal 1, as it will be seen on the ballot, has united some strange bedfellows.  In an off-election year, it's been the focal point for many organizations from environmental groups to a slew of unions, mostly against the idea.
This week on the program we'll hear from four voices: two for and two against a convention.  Jerry Benjamin of SUNY New Paltz, Bill Samuels of Effective New York, Donna Lieberman of the New York Civil Liberties Union, and former Assemblyman Jerry Kremer recently held a discussion at the Times Union Media Center to debate the topic.
Learn more: nynow.org

Chris Gibson's New Book on Revitalizing America

Former Hudson Valley Congressman and U.S. Army Colonel Chris Gibson was known for being one of the more moderate Republicans in Washington. After announcing he wouldn't seek reelection in 2016, he explored a run for governor. Now a professor at Williams College, the Kinderhook native has a book out called 'Rally Point: Five Tasks to Unite the Country and Revitalize the American Dream.'
Learn more: nynow.org

Proposal 3 | Forest Preserve Land Bank Amendment

There are three proposals on this year's ballot.  This week we focus on the one you've likely heard nothing about.
Proposal 3, officially known as the Forest Preserve Land Bank Amendment, would allow communities in the Adirondacks and Catskills to request state land for qualifying projects in exchange for the state adding 250 acres to the preserve. The measure would also allow for bike paths, sewer, electric, telephone, and broadband lines within the width of the road. It has broad support among conservation groups and county and town organizations.
What worries stakeholders the most is possibly being overshadowed by the Constitutional Convention vote (Proposal 1) and its place on the ballot (last item). This week we'll talk to some of them as they try to get the message out in the last six weeks before Election Day.
Learn more: nynow.org

Will Miner Challenge Cuomo in 2018?

As the temperatures begin to cool in September (in theory at least), talk has been heating up that outgoing Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner is thinking of putting up a primary challenge to Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2018.
The New York Post reported Tuesday that the mayor and former co-chair of the state's Democratic Party met with members of the New York Progressive Action Network, who supported the presidential candidacy of Senator Bernie Sanders in 2016. Miner had a falling out with Cuomo after criticizing him publicly over his "pension-smoothing" proposal in 2013.
This week Miner will tell us what she's contemplating in 2018, including a possible challenge to Central New York Congressman John Katko, and her recent trip to Israel.
Learn more: http://nynow.wmht.org/blogs/politics/will-miner-challenge-cuomo-in-2018/

This Week on NYN: Marching for Justice; Soldier's Story

This week on New York NOW we'll recap Primary Day results across the state with Karen DeWitt of New York State Public Radio and Joe Spector of the USA Today Network.
Also, we'll follow the Alliance of Families for Justice as they end a nearly-three week march to the State Capitol to push for reforms to the criminal justice system.
Finally, the longtime Assembly sergeant-at-arms, Wayne Jackson, relives his time as a soldier in Vietnam ahead of this weekend's premiere of the new Ken Burns film on the war there.

DEC Rejects EPA Review of Hudson River Cleanup

In June, the EPA's Five-Year Review found that its selected PCB (Polychlorinated biphenyls) cleanup remedy wasn't yet "protective" of the public health and environment but it would be in half century. DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos shares why he strongly disagrees with that statement. Also, a look at Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro's "Think Differently" initiative.
Learn more: http://nynow.wmht.org/blogs/environment/dec-rejects-epa-review-of-hudson-river-cleanup/

Rep. Faso holds second town hall

This week on New York NOW we'll give you extensive coverage of Rep. John Faso's town hall in the Hudson Valley.
Elected in 2016, the Republican has faced criticism from many constituents over his lack of availability.  He held a televised town hall with us earlier this year but this is first one since that April event. He faced a slew of questions about his support for Donald Trump, his health care vote in the spring, and the lack of political civility in 2017.

The '94 race for governor: Pataki v. Cuomo

This week's New York NOW is a documentary that looks back at the last real exciting race we had for governor here in the Empire State.
Just two years after famously saying no to a presidential run, 1994 saw Governor Mario Cuomo slumping in the polls.  Against all odds, a little-known freshman state senator from the Hudson Valley, George Pataki, shockingly beat the three-term incumbent.  We take a deep dive into the race with exclusive footage from the old PBS program "Inside Albany" and with key interviews with some of the major players including George Pataki, former Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno, and a rare-sit down interview with Mario Cuomo's son Andrew.

New NYSUT President Andy Pallotta

Andy Pallotta, the new President of New York State United Teachers (NYSUT), took over for Karen Magee earlier this year. He discusses several topics including the continued opt-out movement by some parents across the state in regard to Common Core testing. Also, author and environmentalist, Bill McKibben, discusses his opposition to the under-construction Orange County power plant.
For more news, visit nynow.org

Comptroller Cites Warning Signs for NY's Finances

There’s some good news and some bad news from the State Comptrollers’ office. The state’s nearly $200 billion dollar pension fund is doing well, thanks in part to the booming stock market, but there are some worrisome signs for the future of New York’s finances. Comptroller Tom DiNapoli sat down with us to discuss his findings. Also, a look at the week in news including Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan's announcement that he went into treatment for alcohol abuse and Senator Daniel Squadron's announcement that he will be leaving the senate.For more news, visit nynow.org