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Mike Whittemore
Mike is a Senior Video Journalist and Producer for Capital Tonight, New York's only nightly statewide political television program.
Homepage: http://www.capitaltonight.com/stateofpolitics
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Posts by Mike Whittemore
IOGA Touts Latest Q-Poll On Fracking
Sep 21st - 4:10 pm
The Independent Oil and Gas Association of New York is boasting the latest statewide survey on hydrofracking as another reason to allow natural gas drilling in the Marcellus Shale.
“Once again, a sampling of the public demonstrates that most New Yorkers favor increased natural gas development in the Southern Tier,” said Brad Gill, IOGA of NY executive director.
IOGA sees the poll as an indication that the majority of New Yorkers have sifted through the facts and have come out on its side on the issue.
“This is remarkable, given the tremendous amount of misinformation that has been issued about our industry in New York,” Gill added.
“We remain hopeful that New Yorkers are seeing through the distorted statements, myths and fictions, and instead will rely on science and record of performance to form their own opinions.”
The numbers are a bit skewed if examined by region. Statewide, voters approve the controversial drilling process 45-41, saying they believe the economic benefits outweigh environmental concerns.
Although, that number is a bit inverted upstate, where drilling would occur. Only 43 percent of upstaters support the idea, with 47 percent opposed. New York City is split on the issue at 41-41.
AMI: Weprin Loss A Sad Day For America And New York
Sep 14th - 1:45 pm
It’s a tough day for Democrats in New York after David Weprin was defeated by Republican Bob Turner in the race for New York’s ninth Congressional district. But it seems one under-represented group is taking the news particularly hard.
I’m talking, of course, about the Mustached-American community. Yes, that’s a thing.
Here’s the official response from Dr. Aaron Perlut, President of the American Mustache Institute.
“It’s a sad day for America and New York. In conceding the race to represent New York’s 9th Congressional District to a bare-faced mortal, David Weprin clearly demonstrated the effortless grace of the Mustached-American community.
But lost in Mr. Weprin’s concession was a great crime. By not sending another Mustached American to Congress — and there are only 30 in Congress with facial hair, not including Nancy Pelosi — the American people and the voters of New York have robbed themselves of Mustached American-laden leadership, rugged good looks, and the ability to cut through pork belly appropriations and the weak-kneed spirit that plagues our current Congressional representation. A sad day indeed.”
Crucial North Country Highway To Reopen Today
Sep 12th - 11:50 am
Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced this morning that Route 73 in Essex County will reopen at noon today, months ahead of schedule.
“Route 73 is a vital highway connecting residents and businesses in the North Country and today’s reopening is an important step in our recovery from Hurricane Irene,” the governor said in a news release.
“Many communities here in Essex County were hit hard by the storm, and we must continue to help towns like Keene recover and rebuild. I want to thank the hardworking men and women for coming together to get this project done for the people of the North Country.”
Gov. Cuomo ordered for an expedited reopening of the state route, which is the main point of access to the Northway for Adirondack communities such as Keene, Lake Placid, and Saranac Lake.
The governor’s office says approximately 150,000 tons of stone were used and construction workers logged a total of 2,700 hours during the project. Equipment used included 27 contractor trucks, additional DOT trucks, 3 excavators, 2 light plants, 2 vibratory rollers, and various tree and debris removal machinery.
9/11 Memorial Flag Unveiled
Sep 6th - 3:17 pm
Gov. Cuomo and the National September 11th Memorial and Museum have unveiled the official Memorial Flag that will be flown at the state capitol, the World Trade Center memorial, and various other state office buildings across the state.
“The Memorial Flag is meant to serve as a long-lasting symbol of our respect for those who were lost on September 11th and our resilience in the face of tragedy,” Governor Cuomo said.
The flag itself depicts the three sites where thousands lost their lives ten years ago. The 40 yellow stars represent the fatalities from United Flight 93, which crashed in Shanksville, Pa. The five-sided figures represent the Pentagon, where 125 people died. At the center of the flag are the Twin Towers, where the greatest loss of life occurred that day.
The governor says the Museum will also sell replicas of the flag in order to raise funds for the museum as well as to bolster educational programs. The flag will be available on the National September 11 Memorial and Museum website www.911memorial.org/911flag.
DFS To Aid NYers In Need Of Insurance Assistance
Sep 6th - 10:54 am
Gov. Cuomo annouced this morning that Superintendent of the state Department of Financial Services (DFS) Benjamin Lawsky will make appearances in Middleburgh, Cobleskill and Schoharie today to guide storm victims on how to get insurance assistance. Onsite counseling centers will also be set up.
“We really want to have a lasting presence there,” Lawsky said in an interview this morning on Talk 1300.
“This recovery is going to take some time and we’re not going to show up for a day and then go away. The governor has oredered us to be there and stay and become fixtures of this recovery.”
Lawksy also reiterated that his office will push insurance companies to honor policies that cover flood damage in the wake of Tropical Storm Irene.
“We’ll tell [storm victims] if they have insurance coverage and if they don’t, we’ll help link them up FEMA or other federal monies to try and help them get back on their feet,” he said.
In addition to the on-site assistance, he’s also urging anyone affected by the storm to Call the Department of Financial Services Disaster Hotline: 800-339-1759 or to Visit the DFS Website: www.ins.state.ny.us
Jimino Assesses City, Farm Damage In Rensselaer
Sep 2nd - 9:00 pm
One county that recieved a federal disaster declaration yesterday was Rensselaer County, where the city of Troy saw historic flooding from the Hudson River.
Nick Reisman was joined County Executive Kathy Jimino to talk more about the impact this storm has had on her community.
Hayward On The End Of The 2011 Season At ‘Toga
Sep 2nd - 9:00 pm
If you are a frequent viewer of this show, you might remember that a little more than a month ago we took the show on the road to Saratoga Springs for opening day of the summer meet at the Saratoga Race Track.
Each year, this is the most profitable 6 week span for the New York Racing Association, as the best horses from around the world flock to upstate New York.
This is the final weekend of racing for the year, and we caught up with NYRA President and CEO Charlie Hayward Friday to talk about how the meet has been going.
We also asked him about the decision to cancel racing for a day last week when Tropical Storm Irene approached, and discussed the financial future of NYRA, which is expected to loose 8 million dollars this year.
Cuomo: Calling All Volunteers
Sep 2nd - 11:17 am
Gov. Cuomo announced this morning state agencies involved in Irene recovery efforts will transition from an emergency response to a rebuilding effort, and the administration is asking New Yorkers to help.
“We need tremendous assistance in cleaning up,” the governor said during a conference call this morning.
“Before you get to reconstruction, recovery, you have to clean up after the storm.”
Given the holiday weekend, the governor is launching a program called, “Labor for your Neighbor.” He’s asking anyone in the area that was devastated by the storm, or anyone willing to make the drive, to volunteer their time in help cleaning up.
“[It's] channeling citizens that want to help aside from the government effort” Cuomo said.
“I can’t tell you how many people have come up to me everywhere and said I heard what happened in upstate New York and I want to be helpful. This effort is an opportunity to help to start to mobilize citizen good will, citizen good effort, citizen energy.”
Regarding the partisan debate that has formed in Washington, the governor said there is no “philosophical divide” on how this recovery should be handled in terms of funding. He wouldn’t say if members of Congress are wrong to want any recovery spending offset by cuts, but he did say Congress should “finance this now, and do the politics later.”
New Yorkers interested in volunteering or contributing can do so on the Governors website. Volunteers will receive specific directions and instructions for the cleanup sites.
Former State Senate Candidate May Challenge Hayworth
Sep 2nd - 9:53 am
Larry Delarose, an Orange County Democrat, called on Rep. Nan Hayworth (R-Mount Kisco) to resign in a statement this morning and indicated he may mount a challenge against her in 2012.
It’s unclear if he’ll run at this point. In his own statement, Delarose wrote he is “rumored to be ready to announce shortly that he will challenge Hayworth next year.”
He did, however, offer this critique of the freshman Rep. by adding:
“To say that balancing the cost of federal aide to states and communities in the wake of Hurricane Irene with budget cuts is about as cold and indifferent as you can get. To try and equate this massive human tragedy with dollars and cents is outrageous.
Ms. Hayworth does not have a clue what her job is and apparently has no interest in trying to find out what her duties and obligations are to the people. It’s hard to find words to describe this kind of mindless political hyperbole in the midst of a great tragedy. However, the message to Ms. Hayworth is clear…go home.”
Delarose has run a handful of unsuccessful campaigns for the state legislature in recent years. In 2008, he challenged and lost to incumbent state Senator William Larkin Jr.
Ulster County Exec. Assesses Flood Damage
Sep 1st - 9:00 pm
Ulster County Executive Mike Hein saw his county suffer some of the worst flooding damage in the state. More than 50 thousand residents in Ulster county lost power. And at least 200 people were evacuated from their homes.
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