ALBANY — The effort to legalize gay marriage in New York is getting an all-out lobbying effort from Democrats and celebrities, but there's still no sign of wavering among a critical bloc of Senate Republicans who led the defeat of the measure and blunted national momentum two years ago.

Tagged with: Albany gay marriage legislation state Senate

ALBANY — A measure to legalize gay marriage in New York is now as close as two votes away. Twenty-nine of 30 Democrats in the state Senate are being joined by Republican Sen. James Alesi of Monroe County to support gay marriage in these last days of the legislative session.

Tagged with: Democrats gay marriage GOP state Senate

ALBANY— The New York Senate has confirmed one of Gov. Andrew Cuomo's top aides to head the new state agency responsible for oversight of financial services in New York. Benjamin Lawsky, a former federal prosecutor in Manhattan ...

Tagged with: Gov. Andrew Cuomo New York State state Senate

ALBANY — The state Senate has passed legislation that would allow police to stop and ticket motorists for texting while driving. Sen. Carl Marcellino, a Long Island Republican and the bill’s primary sponsor, says all police will have to do is see a driver holding a cell phone as grounds to pull them over.

Tagged with: Cell phone driving legislation state Senate texting

NEW YORK CITY — A former New York state Senate Democratic leader and his son are due at a pre-trial hearing in New York City. Pedro Espada Jr. and his son Pedro G. Espada are charged in a federal fraud indictment.

Tagged with: Democrat embezzlement indictment state Senate

ALBANY — New York's Senate and the once little regarded post of lieutenant governor may be heading into a constitutional crisis — again. Democratic Attorney General Eric Schneiderman is reviewing a rules change ...

Tagged with: Constitution power state Senate

ALBANY — New York's most influential advocates for gay rights say the chances are better than ever to legalize same-sex marriage, even in a Republican-controlled Senate.

Tagged with: gay marriage state Senate vote

ALBANY — Democratic Gov. David Paterson says Republicans probably seized control of New York's state Senate in Tuesday's too-close-to-call elections. Paterson's comment on WOR radio in New York City ojn Thursday conflicts ...

Tagged with: election Gov. David A. Paterson Republicans state Senate

NEW YORK CITY — A disgraced New York politician who was expelled from the state Senate after a misdemeanor conviction for assaulting his girlfriend was accused Tuesday of funding his 2006 campaign with money that was supposed to go to charity.

Tagged with: campaign charity conspiracy mail fraud state Senate