Sen. Charles Schumer (D - N.Y.) announced his support for a new bill today in an effort to stem the effects of the Supreme Court’s controversial decision on corporate spending in elections. According to a press release, Sen. Al Franken (D - Minn.), Sen. Evan Bayh (D - Ind.), Sen. Russ Feingold (D - Wisc.), and Sen. Ron Wyden (D - Ore.) joined Schumer to sponsor this bill, the “Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections” Actthat they pledged to pass by July 4.
Sen. Kemp Hannon (R - Garden City) and his colleagues continue to haggle over New York's budget as the deadline to get it done passed on April 1. (Photo from kemphannon.com)
As New York State enters its third week without an approved budget, lawmakers are set to return back to the state capitol after leaving last Wednesday on a short recess.
But they return to the same outstanding issue that has not been resolved – closing an estimated $9.2 billion budget deficit.
Seven Roosevelt Field Mall shoppers weigh in on the Gov. Paterson's proposed soda tax as a fix to balance the state's deeply troubling budget gap. (NNL videos by Kerry O'Brien)
To fight obesity and close a wide budget deficit, a two liter of soda could now cost New Yorkers an extra 67 cents as Gov. David Paterson is proposing at tax of one penny per ounce on all non-diet sodas.
Rep. Pete King (R - Seaford) reacts to Sunday's passage of the health care reform bill in the House of Representatives. King vowed to keep fighting the programs included in the plan. (YouTube video by Rep. Peter King's office).
President Barack Obama signed health care reform into law on Tuesday afternoon, expanding insurance coverage to thousands of Long Islanders.
