Karen DeWitt

New York, NY —

David Paterson's humor was on display yesterday when he held his first press conference since the Spitzer scandal made him the the governor-to-be.

Here's how he responded when asked by a reporter if he'd ever patronized a prostitute.

PATERSON: Only the lobbyists...

REPORTER: That was just one of ...

New York, NY —

Lawmakers at the State Capitol say they're focused on going forward with the soon-to-be Gov. David Paterson. He takes over during what is always a hectic time in Albany, with a budget due by the end of the month. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

As it ...

New York, NY —

Governor Spitzer delivered his 2nd annual State of the State address to the legislature yesterday.

He told lawmakers he would meet them with “an open hand” and “an open door” and he tried to make amends for the rocky start he got off to. Karen DeWitt ...

New York, NY —

Two top aides of Governor Spitzer have been subpoenad by the State Senate Investigations Committee, as part of the ongoing probe into the alleged misuse of state police by those aides. Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.

DEWITT: Senate investigation's chair George Winner says the committee issued ...

New York, NY —

Fewer adult New Yorkers are bettering themselves by getting a college degree, and experts say that could further hasten the decline of the state’s economy. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: The study by the Skylar Center, an anti-poverty group, found that there's been a 20-percent ...

New York, NY —

Governor Spitzer is continuing what some have dubbed his “mea culpa tour,” traveling the state to take responsibility for his role in his aides’ misuse of the state police. Yesterday the governor spoke at the Chautauqua Institute in Western New York. Karen DeWitt has more.

New York State Senator Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Richard Brodsky, and Capitol Bureau Chief for New York State Public Radio Karen DeWitt talk about the latest developments with congestion pricing and the substance behind the Spitzer-Bruno spat.

New York, NY —

Governor Spitzer has ordered investigators to review Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno's use of the state helicopter. Over the weekend, a newspaper reported that Bruno had used the official aircraft to travel to campaign fundraisers. Karen Dewitt reports from Albany.

Albany, NY —

Governor Eliot Spitzer says he will introduce a bill before the end of the legislative session to legalize gay marriage. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: Spitzer did not list legalizing gay marriage as one of his top priorities of the end of the legislative session when ...

New York, NY —

New York’s top judge is threatening to sue the governor and legislature over their failure to provide pay raises for state judges in the recently approved state budget. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: The Chief Judge of the State Court of Appeals, Judith Kay condemned ...

Albany, NY —

Governor Spitzer has released the details of the budget agreement reached with the legislature, but says a lot needs to be resolved before Saturday's deadline. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

New York, NY —

Governor Eliot Spitzer and the legislature are close to reaching a compromise over the new state budget, due this Sunday, April 1st. Until now, bitter arguments have complicated the negotiation process. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

New York, NY —

A key Senate committee has advanced the nomination of Governor Spitzer's nominee for environmental commissioner, Assemblyman Pete Grannis. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPOTER: Some sportsman's groups have been opposed to the nomination of Grannis, a liberal Democrat from Manhattan, saying he is against guns and ...

New York, NY —

The Campaign for Fiscal Equity, which won a lawsuit against the state on equal funding for schools, is attacking the State Senate’s proposal that they say drives money away from needy schools to wealthy districts. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

REPORTER: The Senate plan adds one ...

New York, NY —

New York may join Florida, California and New Jersey by moving its presidential primary to an earlier date - February 5th. Both houses of the state legislature plan to introduce and pass legislation to do that. The change could give a boost to two current ...

New York, NY —

Sheldon Silver and Joe Bruno sent New York's new governor a message yesterday: don't underestimate us. Legislators voted for one of their own to become the next State Comptroller. Governor Spitzer offered a scathing critique of their actions, and said he considered it a “turning ...

New York, NY —

Assembly Democrats are poised to provoke a confrontation with Governor Eliot Spitzer over the selection of a new state comptroller. Speaker Sheldon Silver says a vote could come as early as Wednesday. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

New York, NY —

New York’s new Lieutenant Governor, David Paterson, has not received as much attention as Governor Spitzer. But the Harlem Democrat says he intends to break the mold and play a key role in shaping policy. As Karen Dewitt reports, Paterson's most prominent task this week ...

Albany, NY —

Governor Eliot Spitzer's health care reform plan could spark a showdown between the administration and the state's hospitals and health care workers.

Spitzer delivered a major health policy speech Friday. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.

New York, NY —

New Yorkers are one step closer to getting mental health care completely covered by insurance. The final decision is now up to Governor Pataki. Karen DeWitt reports from Albany.