Independent Democratic Conference

Divisions remain on public campaign financing

Karen DeWitt — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 20:20:20 +0000

Recent bribery scandals involving state legislators have fueled discussion on campaign finance reform at the Capitol, with several politicians and advocacy groups pressing for publicly financed campaigns. But a key faction in the legislature, Republicans in the State Senate, remains opposed.

Lawmakers return to confront scandals

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:13:07 +0000

New York State lawmakers returned to work after a two week spring break. It’s their first meeting since two lawmakers have been charged with bribery in corruption scandals.

Senators and Assemblymembers met for the first time since Senator Malcolm Smith was charged with trying to bribe his way onto the Republican New York City Mayoral ticket, among other things, and Assemblyman Eric Stevenson was accused of taking thousands of dollars to write legislation to benefit developers of an adult day care center.

Second half of session overshadowed by new scandals

Karen DeWitt — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 20:52:08 +0000

The second half of New York’s legislative session begins Monday. It's likely to be dominated by the response to on going bribery and corruption scandals that came to light while lawmakers were on spring break.

Governor Cuomo, and one of the Co-Leaders of the State Senate have already taken some preemptive action before the legislature’s scheduled return to the Capitol, following federal bribery charges against a State Senator and an Assemblyman, as well as other officials.

Senator, others indicted in wide-ranging corruption scandal

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 19:42:40 +0000

State Senator Malcolm Smith, a former Senate Majority Leader, has been arrested and indicted in a far reaching bribery and corruption scandal.

The corruption case against Senator Malcolm Smith spans village, county, state and New York City governments, as well as both major political parties.

Smith, a Democrat who was leader of the State Senate in 2009 until taken out in a coup attempt, was seeking the Republican nomination for Mayor of New York City.

Senate co-leaders differ on minimum wage budget provision

Karen DeWitt — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 12:20:39 +0000

The New York State Senate has included raising the state’s minimum wage in its one house budget resolution. But that’s not necessarily a signal that a wage increase is moving forward in the state spending plan.

Senate Republicans and a group of breakaway Democrats who lead the Senate have included an increase in the state’s minimum wage in their one house version of the state budget.