Maureen McManus

This week the candidates hoping to become the GOP’s presidential nominee will face a big test this weekend with the Ames Straw Poll. But that does not mean the field will get any narrower, as Texas Governor Rick Perry plans to officially announce his candidacy and several others like Rudy Giuliani and Sarah Palin remain undecided. Former New York State Republican Party Executive Director Brendan Quinn takes a look at the candidates.

The Department of Homeland Security has informed states that they do not approval from governors for the Secure Communities program. The program is aimed at deported illegal immigrants convicted of felonies, but opponents say many of those deported have not been convicted of a crime. Senator Gustavo Rivera is a critic of the program. He says the Obama administration needs to find a new approach to the situation.

The licenses for the Indian Point nuclear power plant are up for renewal over the next few years, and Governor Cuomo has made it clear he does not want the plant to continue operating in Westchester County. But Indian Point is a major power supplier for downstate, which means closing it down without a replacement power source would be a problem. Now, Assemblyman Jim Brennan is pushing to find out exactly how much of an issues. He says the plant’s owner, Entergy Corporation, is not offering proof of how much power they actually supply to the state.

The New York Independent Systems Operator is starting a big upgrade to the state’s power grid. The changes include a new control center. And NYISO’S Tom Rumsey says it’s about better service for customers.

Governor Cuomo has officially signed the NYSUNY 2020 bill, which allows the state’s public colleges and universities to raise tuition without approval from the legislature. It also creates a grant challenge that sets the four public research universities -Albany, Binghamon, Buffalo and Stony Brook- against each other as they try to help their local economies. NYSUNY 2020 represents a win for advocates of its predecessor, UB 2020, including Senator Mark Grisanti.