Who will replace Canestrari as Majority Leader?

Joseph Spector of PressConnects.com gives us a break-down of who may step up for the second-in command seat in the state Assembly. The powerful post became available with Ron Canestrari’s decision not to seek re-election. Here’s Spector’s article: The seat for second
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Saratoga GOP backing McDonald

This comes to us from The Post-Star: The Saratoga Springs Republican Committee on Thursday announced it has endorsed state Sen. Roy McDonald, R-Saratoga, for re-election. McDonald received 2,191 of the 2,264.5 weighted votes at the endorsement meeting, according to a press release. Th
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Canestrari calls it a career

Capitol Confidential’s Casey Seiler is sharing video of Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari announcing his retirement on WMHT’s New York Now. Canestrari, 68, will not seek re-election after 24 years in the Assembly and 37 years in public office. In the video, Canestra
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Update: Order approves creation of 63rd Senate district

This Capitol Confidential post was written by Casey Seiler: The lawsuit attempting to block the formation of a 63rd state Senate district has been shot down by Supreme Court Justice Richard Braun, who has found that LATFOR’s use of a specific formula to make the case for the added d
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Former NY Governor forms elections super PAC

Andrew Grossman writes in this morning’s Wall Street Journal that former Governor George Pataki is launching a super PAC to help republicans in New York congressional races. Grossman writes, “Mr. Pataki’s new group, called Tipping Point, would be one of the first to
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Times Union: Canestrari set to retire

Assemblyman to Make Announcement Today Jimmy Vielkind is reporting that Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari will announce he will not run for re-election. Canestrari’s decision comes just two weeks after Assemblymen Jack McEneny and Bob Reilly announced they, too, would not
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Siena Poll: Cuomo approval ratings strong

A new Siena College Poll released this morning shows Governor Cuomo is viewed favorably by nearly three-quarters of voters, and nearly two-thirds give him a positive job performance rating.
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Capitol Confidential: Candidate announcement roundup

Jimmy Vielkind of The Times Union details a number of Capital Region politicians who have announced their plans to run for higher office:
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Kathy Marchione to formally announce campaign

Michael Cignoli of The Saratogian is reporting that County Clerk Kathy Marchione will announce she will run against incumbent Senator Roy McDonald in the 43rd District.
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NFIB New York Director Mike Durant discusses min wage

Mike Durant appeared on Capital Tonight with Liz Benjamin to rebut claims by Senator Jeffrey Kline that an increase in the minimum wage could generate $600 million in economic activity and create 4,800 jobs. Sen. Kline's report is based on raising the minimum wage to $8.50 an hour fro
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