1) Bill Gralty reports on Anthony Colavita replacing George Clark as the Republican Party Chairman. 2) Bill Gralty talks with Lee Thomas and Maurice Hinchey, Assembly Environment Committee Chairman, about the damage acid rain has caused. 3) Gerald Benjamin, legislator from Ulster county, comments on Governor Cuomo's selection of Gerald Crotty as the Secretary to the Governor. 4) Interview with James Corcorhan, Insurance Superintendent, about the insurance crisis, the financial health of insurance companies and the torte system.
1) Alan Chartock reports on the Open Meeting Law amendment. Mary Ann Snell, from the League of Women Voters, urges the repeal of a loophole. 2) Bill Gralty reports on a study by the environmental group, Informed, on tracking hazardous materials in waterways. 3) Lee Maringoff, of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, comments on the reelection campaign of Senator Alfonse D'Amato and his poll ratings. 4) Interview with Ray Schuller, New York State Business Council, about the CBS/Ted Turner Bill, which would make it tougher for business takeovers and why Governor Cuomo vetoed the bill.
1) Interview segments with various state agencies. Interviewees include: David Axelrod, the State Health Commissioner, Roderick Chu, the State Tax Commissioner, Vincent Tese, the Economic Development Coordinator, Jerome Goldsmith, head of the Special Commission on the future of State/Local Mental Health Systems, Gordon Ambach, the State Education Commissioner, James Larocca, the previous State Transportation Commissioner, and Hank Delay, the Director of State Operations.
1) Host Alan Chartock reports on Governor Cuomo appointment of a new Secretary to the Governor, Gerald Crotty. Jose Rivera criticizes Governor Cuomo for not picking a minority. 2) Bill Gralty questions Fred Dicker, of New York Post, about Gerald Crotty's experience and his role. 3) Interview with Gerald Crotty, about his appointment and his qualifications.
1) Rick Lapkowski reports on a study group designed, in response to pay raises for legislative members, by Assembly Minority Leader Clarence Rappleyea to find ways of streamlining the legislative process. Democrat Alan Hevesi comments that the rules work well and are open for the public and reporters. John Sheffer, chair of the group, cites his concerns. 2) Interview with Ross Graham about her experience of twenty-one years and changes in the legislature.
1) Bill Gralty reports on the National Federation of Independent Business's reaction to three bills passed in the legislature that affect small business dealing with bad checks, extending workers compensation to non-incorporated small businesses, and protection for small businesses. 2) Gerald Benjamin, legislator from Ulster county, comments on the Wild Bird Law which forbids the sale of birds caught in the wild. The Empire State Pet Industry Council wanted the ban lifted; however, it will go into effect as planned. 3) Interview with Bob Shear, Director of the Division of Alcoholism and Alcohol Abuse, about the services they provide, treatment, effects of alcoholism and alcohol problems.
1) Rick Lapkowski reports on the structure and possible overhaul of the court system. Senator John Dunn, Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has drafted a bill to consolidate courts and create a 5th division of the appeals court. 2) Bill Gralty reports on George Clark's decision to not seek reelection as state GOP chairman and Clark's assessment of Governor Cuomo. 3) Lee Maringoff, of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, comments on how well Governor Cuomo performed in his third session. 4) Interview with Arthur Malkin, former legislative director of the New York Public Interest Research Group, about toxic tortes and the need to put New York toxic tort victims on par with everyone else in the nation.
1) Bill Gralty and Rick Lapkowski report on the main topics addressed at the end of the legislative session, including: the cap on pain and suffering, which was rejected by Assembly Speaker Stanley Fink, while Robert Elman, spokesman for doctors in Albany, states that caps are essential; Assemblyman Mark Allen Seagull's SUNY Flexibility Bill passed in the Assembly; corporate franchise tax and tax credits were reduced; environmental issues: toxic exposure victims; determinate sentencing; and the death penalty veto. 2) Interview with May Newburger on using telecommunication technology in court rooms to protect children who testify in court.
1) Bill Gralty reports on the different opinions on how to slow the increase in malpractice premiums. Dr. James Striker, an Albany surgeon, agrees with the Senate's bill which would place a cap on pain and suffering. Justin Victor, President of New York Bar Association, argues a cap is unfair. 2) Lee Maringoff, of the Marist College Institute for Public Opinion, describes the positive responses to two polls about Governor Cuomo's performance and the public response to the raised drinking age. 3) Interview with the Deputy Majority Leader, William T. âCadillacâ? Smith, about lawyers in the legislature, lawyer registration fees and the client security fund.
1) Rick Lapkowski reports on aid packages for senior citizen's with mounting for prescription drugs costs. Senator Hugh Farley's Bill is considered catastrophic while, Assemblyman Paul Harenberg's bill is comprehensive. Jane Murgo, from the New York State Coalition of the Concern of Older Americans, adds her comments on the two bills. 2) Bill Gralty reports on the centennial anniversary of the New York Forest Preserve legislation. George Davis, Program Director of the Adirondack Council, and Governor Cuomo share thier concerns of over-use and the desire to enlarge the forest. 3) Gerald Benjamin, legislator from Ulster county, comments on the increase in the number of suicides in county jails and the testing of new guidelines to prevent them. 4) Interview with Assemblyman Alexander Pete Grannis about not implementing laws to deter smoking in public spaces.