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Video – Interviews
Primary? What Primary?
Aug 5th - 9:00 pm
Gubernatorial hopeful Rick Lazio is being vastly outspent by his GOP primary opponent, Carl Paladino, whose recent gains in the polls have some Republicans worried. But Lazio refuses to even acknowledge the Buffalo businessman, saying he’s focused on November and ousting Democrat Andrew Cuomo.
Lazio joined Liz Benjamin Thursday night from New York City and also addressed the controversial proposed mosque near Ground Zero–something both GOP candidates have addressed at great length in recent weeks.
Drawing The Battle Lines – Part 4
Aug 5th - 9:00 pm
The New York Public Interest Research Group are long-time advocates for reforming the process of redistricting in the state. Last time the lines were drawn in 2002, NYPIRG created a unique award for some of the more creative districts.
Blair Horner is the Legislative Director for NYPIRG. He joined Liz Benjamin Thursday to talk more about the issue.
Friday in the final installment of our series, we’ll hear from one politician that was a victim of the partisan redistricting process. In fact, his district was literally redrawn to go around his house so he couldn’t run.
We’ll be joined by Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries as well as the writer and director of the documentary, Gerrymandering, Jeff Reichert, who will have plenty more examples of the situations similar to what happened to Jeffries.
Drawing The Battle Lines – Part 3
Aug 4th - 9:00 pm
Tuesday on Capital Tonight, former New York City Mayor Ed Koch explained his non-partisan coalition, New York Uprising, which is dedicated to government reform and establishing an independent redistricting commission.
Koch is traveling the state in hopes of getting support for his cause and is asking all elected officials to sign a pledge in agreement with the idea. Those who do are labeled heroes, while those who don’t are labeled, “enemies of reform” (some notables, according to Koch, include Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson).
Without legislative support, the pledge remains just that: a non-binding pledge. However, Koch has allies in a few lawmakers, who are trying to turn Koch’s reform plan into the law of the land.
Assemblyman Michael Gianaris is sponsoring a bill that would create an independent commission in New York State that would handle the next round of redistricting. He stopped by the studio Wednesday to explain the bill.
Will There Be A SUNY Deal? Sen. Stachowski Weighs In
Aug 4th - 9:00 pm
Senate Democrats insist a three-way “framework” deal has been reached on SUNY empowerment.
However no details are available and no date for a vote has been set. Vague as that might seem, it worked for Sen. Bill Stachowski.
The Buffalo senator who had been refusing to vote on the budget until the UB 2020 plan reversed course and gave the OK to let the spending plan – finally – pass.
Sen. Stachowski joined Liz Benjamin Wednesday to talk about his decision.
Sampson: Focus On Results, Not Process
Aug 4th - 9:00 pm
A day after the Senate passed one of the latest budgets in modern history, Senate Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson told Liz Benjamin Wednesday to put aside the tumultuous process in passing the spending plan and to focus on the results.
Sampson touted the Senate’s ability to pass a final revenue bill, along with a FMAP contingency plan, property tax cap (which has not yet passed the Assembly), and a “framework” on SUNY/CUNY Empowerment.
Samuels Deflects Espada’s Allegations
Aug 3rd - 9:00 pm
We are only 6 weeks away from primary night and one race that is gaining a lot of attention is the primary in the Bronx involving Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr.
Sen. Espada is facing multiple investigations, and multiple primary challengers, Espada went on the attack today–calling for a federal investigation into the campaign of his rival, Gustavo Rivera.
Espada’s lawyers claims the New Roosevelt Initiative political committee established by former lieutenant governor candidate Bill Samuels is illegally coordinating efforts with the Rivera Campaign – and the Working Families Party that has endorsed him.
Under state and federal laws, independent committees can endorse candidates, and spend money supporting them, but cannot plan campaign strategy with them.
Bill Samuels joined Liz Benjamin Tuesday night from New York City to defend New Roosevelt’s actions.
Drawing The Battle Lines – Part 2
Aug 3rd - 9:00 pm
Next year, the boundaries of the state’s 62 senate districts, 150 assembly districts and 29 congressional districts will be redrawn and when all is said and done, the political landscape in this state could be vastly different. In fact, at least one of those districts will be drawn out of existence.
Depending on how the districts shape up, one political party stands to gain a significant advantage over the other. That’s something the former mayor of New York City is so concerned about, he’s foregoing a traditional, well-deserved, relaxing retirement to ensure the state is equitably divided.
Ed Koch served in Congress from 1969 to 1977. From Capitol Hill he headed to City Hall, serving 11 years as New York City Mayor. This year, he founded New York Uprising – a non-partisan coalition dedicated to government reform. Priority one for the group: Establishing an independent redistricting commission.
Wednesday on Capital Tonight, we’ll be joined by Assemblyman Mike Gianaris, who is pushing a bill that echoes much of Koch’s platform.
Lotto Officials Bet On Genting To Operate VLTs
Aug 3rd - 9:00 pm
The State Lottery Division has selected Genting New York, a Malaysia-based company, to operate video slot machines at Aqueduct racetrack in Queens.
It’s the next step in a process that could bring more than 300 million dollars in revenue to the cash-strapped state.
Lottery Director Gordon Medenica dropped by the Capital Tonight studio Tuesday to talk about the recommendation and the selection process.
Griffo: Gov. Wasting Time, Money To Remain Relevant
Aug 2nd - 9:00 pm
The Governor’s decision to call a special session has been criticized by many lawmakers. Most Republicans and now a few of Paterson’s fellow Democrats have suggested bringing the Legislature back to Albany before a deal is done is just a waste of time and taxpayer money.
But Monday, one Republican Senator went a step further–suggesting the reason the budget isn’t getting done has more to do with the governor’s desire to remain relevant and a lingering bitterness over his treatment at the hands of the Obama White House.
Senator Joe Griffo joined Liz Benjamin Monday night from Rome to talk more about the issue.
Assembly Forced To Albany Due To Senate’s Inaction
Aug 2nd - 9:00 pm
When lawmakers return to Albany Tuesday, much of the attention will be on the state Senate. That makes sense, considering that’s the house that has failed to uphold its end of a two-way deal on a revenue bill – the last remaining hurdle between New Yorkers and a completed state budget. But in order to bring back the Senate, Governor Paterson is also forcing all 150 members of the Assembly to return to Albany.
Assemblyman Joe Morelle is a Democrat representing parts of Rochester and it’s suburbs. He joined Liz Benjamin from Rochester Tuesday.
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