Politics

Obama to give economic speech in Malta

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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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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Voters don't show as Romney widens gap

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012, 6:10pm

This was supposed to be a big, big news day for politics in New York State. A few short weeks ago it was a four-way republican primary for the presidential nomination. But that has fizzled

At the Sand Creek Middle School where a total of 491 republicans are eligible to vote, only 10 have made their choice for republican nominee.

The first voter didn’t even show up until an hour and a half after the polls opened

The ones who did show up saying it’s their civic duty to vote.

Mitt Romney is the near certain winner in New York now that Rick Santorum has dropped out and Newt Gingrich has fizzled. Ron Paul of course will get his small share of the pie.

The chairman of the Albany County GOP says this is not good for New York republicans. A undecided race would generate some buzz. Instead, however, Mitt Romney has ignored New York, a democratic stronghold he isn’t expected to win in the fall, anyway.

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Presidential primary day in NY; Romney favored

Submitted by WNYT Staff

Tuesday, April 24th, 2012, 10:18am

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) - Mitt Romney has a chance to substantially boost his delegate tally when New York Republicans vote in the state's presidential primary.

New York has 95 delegates, the most of any of the five East Coast states holding primaries Tuesday.

Romney is looking to add to his wide lead over Newt Gingrich and Ron Paul in the nomination race for the 1,144 delegates. Polls have shown Romney with a commanding lead in New York. His nearest competitor, Rick Santorum, quit campaigning.

New York Republicans once hoped to play a major role in the primary, but those hopes faded as Romney solidified his front-runner status. The former Massachusetts governor has already begun focusing more on the general election against President Barack Obama.

Polls in New York are open until 9 p.m.

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