Latest local news, weather and sports for Syracuse and Central New York

Tuesday, January 15, 2013  New York's Legislature has passed the nation's toughest gun control law and the first since the Newtown, Conn., school shooting.

Tuesday, March 27, 2012  Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York Legislature are poised to pass a state budget on time for a second year in a row.

Monday, March 26, 2012  New York's Legislature and Gov. Andrew Cuomo have quietly agreed to some of the budget bills they hope to pass this week.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012  Gov. Andrew Cuomo is putting his popularity and his early record on the line as never before as the Legislature digs in for the first time over issues that will affect New Yorkers for the next 10 years.

Thursday, March 08, 2012  The congressional district lines proposed by a federal judge earlier this week could well be law for the next 10 years, based on the views of the only legislative leaders who could change them.

Tuesday, January 31, 2012  The top Democrat in New York's Legislature is pushing legislation to boost the state's minimum wage from $7.25 to $8.50 and then index it annually to the inflation rate.

Friday, June 17, 2011  The New York Legislature has voted to put limits on protesters at military funerals.

Friday, June 03, 2011  Gov. Andrew Cuomo has struck a tentative deal with legislative leaders on the major elements of an overhaul of ethics enforcement in state government, three people familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press.

Thursday, March 31, 2011  New York's Legislature has passed a historically difficult budget on time.

Friday, March 25, 2011  Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos emerged from a closed-door session Friday with Gov. Andrew Cuomo saying New York's budget is expected to restore $250 million of Cuomo's proposed cut to school funding.

Thursday, June 10, 2010  New York lawmakers have approved legislation establishing that squeezing someone's throat or covering their nose and mouth to block their breathing is a new felony crime of strangulation.

Friday, May 14, 2010  Gov. David Paterson says the lack of agreement in Albany will mean a 13-year-old program that provides discounted electricity to employers to protect jobs will end Saturday.

Monday, April 26, 2010  A new report shows the top 50 lobbyists in Albany spent $45 million last year on lobbying and campaign contributions to influence the state Legislature.

Wednesday, April 07, 2010  Matt's Memo: Matt Mulcahy blogs about New York legislators returning to work.  Being up front about the budget realities would simplify the budget process making it more effective.

Friday, February 12, 2010  A New York law signed Friday bars state officials from using public property or employees for private business or any other non-governmental purpose for which they get money.