New York’s highest court upheld former Comptroller Alan Hevesi decision to invalidate a $46 million state-highway construction contract with a company that allegedly had organized crime ties.

For the second time in 8 months, a court has said former Gov. George Pataki erred when he tried to keep sex offenders locked up even after their criminal [...]

A few notable cases out of today’s decisions handed down by N.Y.’s higest court, the Court of Appeals:

1. It upheld a decision by former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi to nullify a $46 million Thruway contract with Worth Construction, Connecticut-based firm, because of its alleged ties with organized crime. The contract was for building an [...]

The state Senate will take up a vote on bills to limit statewide officeholders (gov, lt. gov, AG, comptroller) to 8 years in office and to restrict legislators to 8 years as Senate or Assembly leader and 6 as a committee chairman.

The prime sponsor is a freshman, Sen. Joe Griffo, R-Rome, but the measures have [...]

Here’s a link to an audio clip of Gov. Spitzer and legislators debating a “chronic criminal’’ bill.

Gov. Spitzer and legislators say they’re near deals on expanding the DNA crime database and changing the Wicks Law.

A Rochester-area political leader had a scuffle with a client.

N.Y. tourism ads won’t feature the governor’s mug.

Senate Democrats and activists are pushing for a new fund for affordable housing.

Thanks to a boom in natural gas drilling, the [...]

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer came to Albany Tuesday night as part of the state Court of Appeals’ lecture series. His topic: the U.S. Constitution.

In a roughly 45-minute address and a follow up Q-and-A period, the judge did not make news. But he kept the crowd of about 100 entertained with his explanation of [...]

It’s not clear yet whether Gov. Spitzer and legislative leaders will be able to announce any agreements later today when they hold another public bargaining session. Neither the governor nor Joe Bruno nor Sheldon Silver indicated such in brief speaking appearances this morning on other topics.

In fact, Senate Majority Leader Bruno, R-Rensselaer County, again was [...]

N.Y. Chief Judge Judith Kaye gets some ammo in her fight for a judicial pay raise.

Gov. Spitzer wants panel to build a better SUNY.

Hecklers razzed Guiliani about 9/11 attacks during a campaign swing. And in Monroe County, Congressman Randy Kuhl got an earful from folks upset about his Iraq war votes.

The Legislature gave final [...]

A look at strange bedfellows in Albany politics.

Here’s a profile of the 18-year-old running for Westchester County Legislature.

Why are pro-labor bills that the Legislature routinely passed in previous years—only to be vetoed by Gov. George Pataki—now stalled?

Oft-troubled Vernon Downs escaped the guillotine one more time.

First a sex-offender registry. Now one for drug dealers?

Sen. George Winner, R-Elmira, said Thursday he’d introduce a bill that would require convicted felony drug dealers to register with the state for up to 10 years, notifying the Dept. of Criminal Justice Services of any address changes. The list would also be available on the Internet. [...]