NCPR is made possible by
Your Donations

NCPR News Staff: Karen DeWitt
Capitol Correspondent

Below are recent NCPR news stories filed by Karen DeWitt.

Critics say constitutional amendment won't do the job of reforming redistricting

It defies everything this country is about.

(03/12/12) Legislative leaders and Governor Cuomo are working on a constitutional amendment to reform redistricting in New York. But critics say in its present form, the proposal won't accomplish its goal. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has this report: more

Launch in player | Download audio (3:56)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Cuomo says he'll push through pension changes if legislature won't agree

(03/09/12) Governor Andrew Cuomo is threatening to force pension reform through the state legislature if it doesn't agree to his proposals as part of the state budget. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

Launch in player | Download audio (1:08)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Gillibrand foe George Maragos says he'll spend own money to gain senate seat

George Maragos campaigning at an NYC street fair. Photo: Maragos campaign

(03/09/12) The front-running Republican challenging US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand admits he faces an "uphill battle" against the Democratic incumbent.

George Maragos - a former banker and now Nassau County Comptroller -- says he'll spend his own money to try to level the field. Martha Foley has more. more

Launch in player | Download audio (1:16)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Federal court may redraw state legislative lines, as deadline draws near

Proposed NYS Assembly and Senate district lines may be redrawn by court.

(03/09/12) It's coming down to the wire on redistricting in New York. A federal court has already usurped a gridlocked state legislature and drawn new congressional lines. Now it's on track to redraw state legislative lines, too, if the Assembly and Senate do not agree on a bill by March 15th. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

Launch in player | Download audio (3:23)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Cuomo administration cracks down on out-of-network healthcare bills

Benjamin Lawsky, NYS Superintendent of Financial Services

(03/08/12) The Cuomo Administration is cracking down on insurance companies and health care providers who stick patients with unexpected out of network service bills. In Albany, Karen DeWitt reports. more

Launch in player | Download audio (3:38)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

State workers' union: Cuomo "sticking it to" working people with Tier VI pension plan

Empire State Plaza, Albany.

(03/07/12) Legislative leaders spoke to a large gathering of AFSCME public union members at the Capitol Tuesday.

The union is strongly opposed to Governor Cuomo's pension reform plans--during the demonstration, it ran a radio ad that said politicians are trying to "stick it" to working people instead of making Wall Street and big corporations pay their fair share.

The legislators offered support to the workers--but remained neutral on the pension plan issue. In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details. more

Launch in player | Download audio (1:14)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Cuomo gets mixed marks on education

Parents and community members are seeing the kinds of cuts that are being implemented �these cuts hurt, and people know it.

(03/06/12) In a new poll released Monday, voters give Governor Andrew Cuomo mixed reviews on his education policies. They say they like a new agreement on teacher evaluations, but a narrow margin say the governor is overall making the problems in the education system worse. more

Launch in player | Download audio (3:44)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Students rally for SUNY, CUNY

College student protest in Albany Monday. Photo: Karen DeWitt.

(03/06/12) Protesters say 33 students and Occupy Albany activists have been released without injury or incident, following their arrests at the state Capitol Monday. Nearly 400 college and university students from around New York, from the SUNY and CUNY systems, gathered for the rally in Albany.

The students said they were rallying against rising tuition costs and said those increases are pushing them into debt. They want the state to restore funding to public universities. They also said the quality and variety of education are decreasing in New York. more

Launch in player | Download audio (1:02)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

Cuomo approval numbers slip, but not by much

(03/06/12) Governor Andrew Cuomo's popularity has slipped a bit in a new poll released Monday, but with a 69% approval rating, it seems the governor does not have much to worry about. more

Launch in player | Download audio (4:27)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

As budget due-date draws closer, pension reform still a major sticking point

The road to hell is paved in amortizing pensions.

(03/02/12) Pension reform remains a tough issue as budget talks between Governor Cuomo and the legislature enter the last month before the April deadline.

Mayors and local officials pleaded their case for reform this week. Unions oppose the governor's plan, and state lawmakers are divided. Karen DeWitt reports. more

Launch in player | Download audio (3:41)

Download audio | (0) Comments |

1-10 of 2567 stories next 10 » last »

Karen DeWitt has covered state government and politics at the New York State Capitol for public radio for since 1990, and is a contributor to the statewide public television program New York Now. Before that she worked for WINS, New York. She has also written for numerous publications, including Adirondack Life, Empire State Report, and Metroland. Email Karen | Karen DeWitt on Twitter

NCPR News Staff: Karen DeWitt Capitol Correspondent

NCPR News Staff: Karen DeWitt
Capitol Correspondent