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Freelancers Union’s Horowitz on World’s Longest Invoice
May 21st - 8:52 pm
The Freelancers Union says its members are owed about $16 million from various employers who never paid they for the work they did. And they’d like help from the Department of Labor to collect on that debt. Union founder Sara Horowitz explains what they’d like the legislature to do about it.
Assem. Kolb on Protecting People With Special Needs
May 21st - 8:50 pm
Monday was disabilities awareness day at the state capitol, and the event came as a bill to create a new agency to investigate abuse remains stalled in the assembly. Assembly Minority Leader Brian Kolb discusses the status of the bill and other end-of-session priorities.
Mahoney on Senate Control and the 1964 Elections
May 18th - 9:00 pm
Next month is the third anniversary of the infamous 2009 Senate coup, when the Republicans and two dissident Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. and Hiram Monserrate, staged a takeover of power that ended up deadlocking state government for an entire month. The Democrats finally reclaimed control, but the damage was done. Voters in poll after poll deemed them dysfunctional and incompetent and in the 20-10 elections restored the GOP to power. What’s interesting about this is that a similar thing occurred 44 years earlier. Bill Mahoney explains what happened.
Dunlea Discusses Minimum Wage Push
May 18th - 8:55 pm
Hunger Action Network is among those calling for an increase in the state’s minimum wage. And with the future of Assembly Speaker Silver’s bill to bring it to $8.50 an hour up in the air, they’re asking Governor Cuomo to act unilaterally. And they’d like to see the minimum wage brought up to $10 an hour. Executive Director Mark Dunlea explains their efforts.
Citizen Action’s Laymon on New Campaign Finance Reform Effort
May 18th - 8:50 pm
Advocates of campaign finance reform are launching a new effort to raise awareness about money in politics. They are focusing on eight state senators and the donations they’ve received. And starting this weekend, they’ll be going door to door to talk to voters about the issue. Downstate Campaigns Manager Jesse Laymon explains why they chose this group of lawmakers.
Assem. Lifton on Home Rule Legislation
May 17th - 8:56 pm
The assembly passed a bill to strenghten local government bans on hydrofracking. More than 100 such bans have already been passed while the state considers allowing high-volume natural gas drilling. Assemblywoman Barbara Lifton sponsored the measure, but she says this does not mean she is okay with fracking in any part of the state.
Kaye Talks Search for New Court of Appeals Judge
May 17th - 8:55 pm
This December, there will be an opening on the state Court of Appeals when Associate Judge Carmen Ciparick retires. Governor Cuomo will select her replacement. And a commission is already working on finding candidates for the job. Former Chief Judge Judith Kaye is helping with the search. And as she explains, they’re looking all over the state to find qualified individuals.
Sen. McDonald on Justice Center to Protect the Disabled
May 17th - 8:50 pm
The Senate unanimously passed Governor Cuomo’s bill to improve treatment of the disabled by creating a special Justice Center to investigate abuse. Senator Roy McDonald sponsored the measure, and he believes this is a big step toward protecting people with special needs.
Grace Meng Discusses Her Congressional Campaign
May 16th - 9:00 pm
Democratic party leaders in Queens picked Grace Meng as their candidate to replace Congressman Gary Ackerman after Ackerman announced he would not seek re-election. But she’ll have to fend off Assemblyman Rory Lancman and NYC Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley in next’s months primary. Still, Meng is confident that she will be able to win.
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