Maureen McManus
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Posts by Maureen McManus
Anti-Fracking Activists Discuss End-of-Session Rally
Jun 17th - 8:56 pm
Anti-fracking groups are hoping that lawmakers will take up and pass a ban on drilling before session comes to an end later this week. Big crowds gathered at the capitol to call for a full moratorium, arguing that high-volume drilling is not safe. And they say it’s something the majority of New Yorkers, especially upstate, don’t want. Stanford University professor Mark Jacobson, Julia Walsh of Frack Action and Alex Beauchamp of Food and Water Watch discuss the push away from fracking and toward renewable resources.
Siena’s Greenberg on Cuomo, Silver Poll Numbers
Jun 17th - 8:54 pm
This month’s Siena poll showed drops in favorability ratings for both Governor Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. But while Cuomo’s numbers are still fairly strong, the poll also found that more than half of voters want Silver to step down from his leadership post. Siena pollster Steve Greenberg breaks down those results and the poll’s other findings.
Assem. McLaughlin on Potential Run for Governor
Jun 17th - 8:52 pm
Since Andrew Cuomo’s sweeping victory over Carl Paladino in November 2010, the search has been on for the next Republican to take on Cuomo. And that challenge has only grown bigger over the past two and a half years as the governor enjoyed high approval ratings and grew his war chest to over 20 million dollars. But now, it looks like someone is stepping forward. Assemblyman Steve McLaughlin talks about why he’s considering a run in 2014.
US Attorney Bharara on Fighting Public Corruption
Jun 17th - 8:50 pm
Governor Cuomo has been pushing hard for some sort of ethics and campaign finance reform since the string of lawmaker arrests earlier this spring. At the center of those investigations was U-S Attorney Preet Bharara, who suggested at that it was Groundhog’s Day in Albany, with lawmakers getting in trouble over and over and nothing changing. Now, with legislator set to possibly pass some reform measures, Liz sat down with Bharara at his office today to talk about what he thinks is the best way to clean up state government.
Preet Bharara Interview>> (TWC ID required)
Bharara: You Can Expect More Cases to Come
Jun 17th - 6:57 pm
Here’s a preview of Liz’s interview with US Attorney Preet Bharara, which airs tonight at eight and 11:30 . He says he won’t be coming up to Albany to lobby lawmakers about ethics reform. But he will be keeping an eye on them.
“We investigate cases very aggressively, and we are going to continue to do that whether the legislature is in session or not. You can expect more cases to come, because there is a lot more corruption that has not yet been brought to light. And if a byproduct of that it causes people to debate new reforms that might come into play, that might help us do our jobs, or dis-incentivize people from committing crimes, then that’s a great thing. But I don’t think it’s part of my job to got and tell the legislature particular things that they need to do. I think the cases that are brought shine a light on the kinds of problems that we have and I’ve been speaking about the experiences of our office and the prosecutors cases speak for themselves. I think people of good will and good faith will apply common sense and some courage to the issue, can come up with some things that will help the state quite a bit.”
Bharara on Investigating Corruption>>
Elmendorf and DeGraff on Scaffold Law
Jun 14th - 8:58 pm
The Scaffold Law is a top target of business groups every year. They argue the state’s workplace safety regulations are driving up the cost of construction projects in New York. But supporters insist the strict rules are necessary to ensure workers have all the necessary safety equipment for a job. And now both sides are working to bring the public over to their side. Mike Elmendorf, president of the Associated General Contractors of New York State, and Reverend Jacques DeGraff, the Chairman of the New York City School Construction Authority’s Diversity Council, explain why they think the law is hurting the industry and taxpayers.
Sen. Marchione on End of Session
Jun 14th - 8:53 pm
With just four legislative session left, and several big bills on the table, we could see a lot of activity at the capitol next week. But passing many of those bills will require getting the Senate Republicans on board. And on measures like Cuomo’s women’s agenda and his public trust act, there are deep ideological differences. Senator Kathy Marchione discusses the situation.
Director of Operations Glaser on Seneca Nation Deal
Jun 14th - 8:52 pm
On Thursday, a long and contentious dispute between New York State and the Seneca Nation came to an end when nation leaders and Governor Cuomo announced a new agreement that gives the Seneca’s exclusive casino rights for the region in exchange for a share of the casino revenue. State director of operations Howard Glaser was a key figure in brokering that deal. He sits down with Liz talk about how it came together.
Assem. DiPietro on Petitioning for Repeal of the SAFE Act
Jun 12th - 8:56 pm
Months after the SAFE Act passed, opponents are still fighting the new gun control law. That includes an effort by two lawmakers to get law repealed. For months, they’ve been collecting signatures from voters who think the SAFE Act went to far. And Tuesday, Senator Kathy Marchione and Assemblyman David DiPietro delivered their petitions to the governor’s office. DiPietro spoke to us afterwards about the SAFE Act and why he wants it gone.
David DiPietro Interview>> (TWC ID required)
Physicians for Compassion Care Chair on Medical Marijuana
Jun 12th - 8:54 pm
Supporters of legalizing medical marijuana are trying to keep the issue on the agenda in the final days of session. They are also fighting back against critics like New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who called medical marijuana a hoax. New York Physicians for Compassionate Care chair Dr. Howard Grossman explains the latest efforts.
Howard Grossman Interview>> (TWC ID required)
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