Karen DeWitt

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson has given the state legislature an ultimatum - either vote on his deficit-closing plan, or give him the authorization to fill the gap himself. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Governor Paterson in a pre-taped message billed as a special address to New Yorkers ...

New York, NY —

After three weeks of testimony that included over 500 exhibits and 70 witnesses, jurors in the federal corruption trial of former Senate Leader Joe Bruno will begin deliberations this morning. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Government lawyers compared Bruno to a schoolyard bully throwing his ...

New York, NY —

State lawmakers have left Albany after failing to reach agreement on closing a more than $3-billion budget gap. Karen DeWitt reports.

REPORTER: A special session in the Senate was canceled after a number of Senate Democrats, who are in the majority of that house, failed to ...

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson and state legislative leaders are talking, but they still have no agreement on how to close the state’s more than $3-billion budget deficit. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Following a private meeting with legislative leaders, Governor Paterson said the only progress he could ...

New York, NY —

New York State lawmakers are back at the Capitol today for another special session to deal with the state's deficit, and possibly act on a same-sex marriage bill.

For more on what's ahead in Albany this week, we turn to Capitol reporter Karen DeWitt.

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson says he and lawmakers have almost reached an agreement on a plan to balance the state’s budget. Reporter Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.

REPORTER: In a meeting with legislative leaders held by conference call, the governor seemed to be backing away from his ...

New York, NY —

A special session of the New York state legislature ended with no action on reducing the state’s deficit, or legalizing same-sex marriage, but Governor Paterson says he’s determined to try again next week. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Late in the day, after the legislature ...

New York, NY —

Education advocates gathered outside the governor's office before yesterday's budget address, to protest the governor's plan for mid-year cuts to school aid. Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.

REPORTER: Around 100 or so members of the Alliance for Quality Education, along with teachers union representatives, chanted ...

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson will address state lawmakers this afternoon to outline the state’s budget problems. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Virtually all 212 state lawmakers now plan to attend the governors speech after many Senate Democrats initially said they would not be there calling it a ...

New York, NY —

The first three witnesses have taken the stand in the federal corruption trial of former New York Senate Leader Joe Bruno. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: The first witnesses included well known Albany lobbyist James Featherstonhaugh, and the former head of one an investment firm ...

New York, NY —

A jury of seven women and five men have been chosen in the federal corruption trial of Joe Bruno. Karen DeWitt reports on opening statements in the former senate majority leader's case.

REPORTER: Assistant US Attorney Elizabeth Coombe said during the course of the trial federal ...

New York, NY —

The corruption trial of former New York Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno begins today, in a federal courthouse in Albany. If convicted on all counts, the 79 year old former Senator could face up to 20 years in prison. Karen DeWitt reports.

REPORTER: Bruno is accused ...

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson says the state budget deficit has grown yet again, to a projected $10-billion. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Paterson, following a leaders meeting in which no conclusions were reached, said he intends to go ahead with the special session on November 10, and ...

New York, NY —

Government reform groups are blasting a decision by the Legislative Ethics Commission to allow Queens State Senator Hiram Monserrate to collect money to pay his legal bills, saying it creates a “million dollar loophole” in the state’s gift ban. Karen DeWitt has more.

REPORTER: NYPIRG's Russ ...

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson has agreed to delay a special budget cutting session of the legislature, but he's rejecting a Senate plan to refinance some bonds. From Albany here's Karen DeWitt:

REPORTER: Paterson in a public meeting with legislative leaders shot down a plan floated by Senate Democrats ...

New York, NY —

A judge has found Queens state Senator Hiram Monserrate not guilty of felony assault charges against his girlfriend, but his future in the state senate is still up in the air. Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.

REPORTER: The judge in the case threw out two ...

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson is proposing $3-billion of budget cuts that he says are “very painful”, but necessary to avoid default. Karen DeWitt has more from Albany.

REPORTER: The governor's plan includes $480 million dollars in mid year school aid cuts, the first since time since the early ...

New York, NY —

A New York State commission has issued a $10,000 fine to Darren Dopp, an aide to former Governor Eliot Spitzer, for his alleged role in the Troopergate scandal. Karen DeWitt reports.

REPORTER: The public integrity commission says Dopp violated the state code of ethics by misusing ...

New York, NY —

State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo says the former head of New York’s Liberal Party Ray Harding has pleaded guilty to receiving $800,000 in kickback fees as part of an illegal pay-to-play scheme under former State Comptroller Alan Hevesi. From Albany, Karen DeWitt reports.

New York, NY —

Governor Paterson has ordered state agencies to make $500 million in across-the-board cuts to try to help close a projected $3 billion deficit. Karen DeWitt reports.

REPORTER: The agencies hardest hit by the cuts according to Paterson's budget director Robert Megna are public colleges in the ...