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NY landowners assert right to frack for gas

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 11:23am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - A coalition of upstate New York landowners seeking to lease land for natural gas drilling is pressing state officials to consider the rights of property owners as they make decisions on shale gas development.
    
The Joint Landowners Coalition of New York is at the Capitol Wednesday to present a "Declaration of Rights." Coalition leader Dan Fitzsimmons says landowners' rights are being trampled by those with "extreme political agendas." He referred to groups seeking a ban on high-volume hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, which injects chemically treated water into wells to release gas from shale.
    
The industry and environmental groups have stepped up lobbying in Albany as the Legislature considers bills including one to ban fracking. The Department of Environmental Conservation may decide in coming months whether to allow the technology.

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Obama to give economic speech in Malta

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 11:53pm

A White House official told NewsChannel 13 that President Obama will visit Saratoga County on Tuesday to speak on economic issues.

A source tells the Associated Press he'll be at the GlobalFoundries plant in Malta.
       
The $4.6 billion GlobalFoundries facility manufactures computer chips and will ultimately employ about 1,400 people. 

This will be the president's third visit to the area. Mr. Obama made a trip to Hudson Valley Community College in September 2009 and he visited GE in Schenectady in January 2011.

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Bruno re-indicted in federal court

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 6:19pm

ALBANY - Two and a half years after he walked away with five not guilty and two guilty verdicts in his first trial, the now 83 year old Joe Bruno once again was walking into federal court.

Last time he always stopped to say hello and to proclaim his innocence. This time, both going in and later coming out, Bruno said nothing. His attorneys say that's what they firmly advised.

The superseding indictment concerns Bruno's dealing with local businessman Jared Abbruzzese.

The government alleges that from 2004 to 2006 Bruno, at the time State Senate Majority Leader, devised a scheme to deprive the state and its citizens of his honest services through bribery and kickbacks.

The indictment claims Bruno solicited payments from Abbruzzese totaling 440-thousand dollars while performing almost no work or turning over anything of significant value.

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Morse, Breslin senate race underway

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Thursday, May 3rd, 2012, 12:07am

COHOES - Flanked by more than 200 supporters in front of the Ogden Mills Apartments in Cohoes, Albany County Legislator Shawn Morse kicked off his campaign for the state senate Wednesday afternoon, saying he wants to "restore integrity and effectiveness" to that institution.

Meanwhile, Senator Neil Breslin (D -Bethlehem), who is currently serving his eighth term in office, says he relishes the opportunity to win re-election.

The Republicans haven't selected a candidate yet, but a GOP official told News Channel 13 Wednesday night that they will soon have a one, even though, for all intents and purposes, the winner of the Democratic Primary between Morse and Breslin will almost certainly breeze to victory in the general election.

There are some political pundits who believe the redistricting of the 44th into Rensselaer County makes it a bit more "blue collar" which might be more friendly to Morse, a firefighter and union rep.

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McLaughlin, McDonald headed toward Assembly primary

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Monday, April 30th, 2012, 9:46am

ALBANY - For the first time ever, a woman may wind up representing constituents in New York's 108th Assembly District, a seat held by longtime Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari.

An Albany County Democratic Party selection committee has given its nod to Albany Common Council President Carolyn McLaughlin. However, for now, at least three others are still pondering a primary challenge.

"I'm here as someone who has been molded through my experience," is how McLaughlin described her arrival at a point in time where she's in a position to make history and change the political landscape of the Capital Region.

"It's about time women are viewed as viable candidates to serve in the state assembly," McLaughlin said.

The Albany County Democratic Selection Committee agrees, giving her their backing to replace longtime seat holder Canestrari.

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Anti-Gun advocates storm Capitol

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012, 6:06pm

New Yorkers against gun violence lobbied lawmakers in Albany today.

They are demanding an immediate withdrawal of a bill that would allow the use of deadly force to defend against an intruder or attacker.

They say passage of this bill will open the door to vigilante justice - an issue that has gained attention since the shooting of Trayvon Martin in Florida.

The group is also pushing for the passage of a micro-stamping bill.

That would require a stamp on shell casings which they say would make it easier for investigators to track down criminals after a shooting.

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Outrage over cost of unnecessary primary

Submitted by WNYT Staff
Wednesday, April 25th, 2012, 6:03pm

No doubt, Mitt Romney is happy with the results of yesterday's republican primary here in New York.

But, the extremely low turnout and the extremely high cost of the election have some officials upset.

$25 million, that was the cost to taxpayers statewide. Only about six per cent of eligible republican voters showed up to vote.  And we have three more elections this year alone

In Rensselaer County the turnout was just over 6% election inspectors had very little to do

The chairman of the Rensselaer County Legislature said yesterday's primary cost taxpayers $40,000,

The cost in Albany county $200,000 and the cost in Schenectady county $45,000 and there is still two more primaries one in June, the other in September.

This is all because state lawmakers could not agree on a single date for congressional and state races taxpayers will suffer

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