The public is behind Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to raise the state minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.75 per hour, according to one statewide poll. Cuomo proposed the increase during his State of the State address last week. A Siena College Research Institute poll, conducted on January 10 and January 13 to 15, says that […]
Independent Democratic Conference
Posted inNews & Opinion
A pre-session push on campaign finance reform
Ted O’Brien isn’t seated in the State Senate yet, but he’s already joining fellow Democrats calling for campaign finance reform. Specifically, he’s backing Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal, which is essentially a conceptual plan that includes public financing of campaigns. Last month, O’Brien defeated Republican Sean Hanna for an open seat in the Senate. The contest […]
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Last Senate race decided, for now
It appears that the State Senate will, once again, operate with perilously thin margins. A state judge has decided on the last unresolved Senate contest from the November elections. The judge ruled that Republican George Amedore beat Democrat Cecilia Tkaczyk in a district stretching from Montgomery County to Ultser County, with final counts placing him […]
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O’Brien to join Dems
Incoming State Senator Ted O’Brien says he’ll conference with Democrats, not the Independent Democratic Conference, when he heads to Albany in January. | “I feel an obligation to conference with the Democrats when I’m elected as a Democrat,” O’Brien said during a phone interview last week. | He said he’s had collegial conversations with IDC […]
Posted inNews & Opinion
O’Brien says he’ll conference with Dems
Soon-to-be State Senator Ted O’Brien says he’ll conference with Democrats, not the Independent Democratic Conference when he heads to Albany in January. “I feel an obligation to conference with the Democrats when I’m elected as a Democrat,” O’Brien said during a phone interview this afternoon. He said he’s had collegial conversations with IDC members Jeff […]
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A power-sharing pact in Albany
A group of breakaway State Senate Democrats have an agreement with Republican leaders to share control of the State Senate. The Independent Democratic Conference had four members until today, when former Senate leader Malcom Smith joined the group. The other members are Jeff Klein, Diane Savino, David Valesky, and David Carlucci. None of the members […]
