Elaine Rivera

Hear live coverage of Gov. David Paterson's press conference announcing his selection of Kirsten Gillibrand to fill NY's US Senate seat. WNYC's Elaine Rivera joins us to comment.

New York, NY —

It’s been a momentous day in Albany, Governor Paterson named upstate Congressman Kirsten Gillibrand as successor to former senator turned secretary of state, Hillary Clinton. And, former Senate Leader Joe Bruno was indicted on federal corruption charges.

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After an evening of conflicting reports on whether Caroline Kennedy was in or out of the race to fill Hillary Clinton's U.S. Senate seat, late last night she officially withdrew her n...

New York, NY —

Governor David Paterson remains coy over his selection for Senator Hillary Clinton's seat but says he'll make his choice by this weekend. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports.

REPORTER: Paterson says he still hasn't made up his mind among the numerous candidates who've expressed interest, including the most ...

New York, NY —

Governor David Paterson continues to keep his cards close to his vest saying he's not made up his mind yet when it comes to selecting Senator Hillary Clinton's replacement.

During the inaugural activities in Washington, Paterson told CBS's Katie Couric that he'll pick someone in the ...

New York, NY —

As Bronx Borough President Adolfo Carrion is poised to take a job with the Obama administration, the jockeying has already started for his current job.

Carrion's reported departure has pitted the Bronx's most prominent political families against each other, as they fight to get the borough ...

New York, NY —

Newly elected Democratic state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says he'll meet with fellow senators this week to discuss whether Queens Democrat Hiram Monserrate will be able to handle his duties in the chamber.

REPORTER: Monserrate has been charged with assaulting his girlfriend. Smith emphasizes that ...

New York, NY —

Newly elected state Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says it's only a matter of time before a bill to legalize gay marriage comes up for discussion.

REPORTER: The Queens Democrat says most likely it'll be legislation sponsored by Manhattan Senator Tom Duane.

SMITH: So I imagine at ...

New York, NY —

On Wednesday, Governor David Paterson lays out his legislative agenda and the fractious state Senate will vote on a new majority leader. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports:

REPORTER: After a year of roller coaster Albany politics, Governor Paterson will give his first state-of-the-state address where he will ...

New York, NY —

One of the three dissident Democratic state senators who's challenged Queens Senator Malcolm Smith's move to become senate majority leader now says he'll go up against Gov. Paterson's plans for budget cuts.

Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Senior says he represents the poorest district in the ...

New York, NY —

Governor David Paterson has granted clemency to two inmates, but criminal justice advocates are disappointed, saying he's failed to overhaul what they call "unfair drug policies."

Paterson commuted the sentences of one inmate serving 20 years on a drug conviction, and another who was serving 15 ...

New York, NY —

A new effort on Long Island is helping veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan land jobs.

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi says the "Warriors-to-Work" program is the first of its kind, where government will work with the private sector to help veterans find employment.

SUOZZI: ...

New York, NY —

New York State Senator Ruben Diaz Senior is under intense pressure to get behind Queens Senator Malcolm Smith's bid for Senate Majority Leader.

The Working Families Party, unions and gay rights advocates, among others, are hoping for a united Democratic majority to shepherd through Gov. Paterson's ...

New York, NY —

One of the three dissident senators who has challenged Queens Senator Malcolm Smith's move to become Democratic majority leader, says that he'll now challenge Governor Paterson's plans for budget cuts. Bronx State Senator Ruben Diaz Senior says he represents the poorest district in the senate, ...

New York, NY —

As Gov. David Paterson prepares to unveil his next budget plan tomorrow, criminal justice advocates say he could save money by closing prisons. Robert Gangi of the Correctional Association of New York -- says five upstate prisons are under-utilized.

GANGI: The state's prison population has declined ...

New York, NY —

Democratic State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens says he's confident he'll have the 32 votes he needs to be the chamber's majority leader. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports.

REPORTER: After weeks of infighting led by three renegade senators, Smith emerged from the latest of many closed-door meetings ...

New York, NY —

Democrats in Albany will meet today to try to resolve an increasingly ugly dispute about who will control the State Senate. A deal with three dissident Democratic senators broke down this week.

ESPADA: My strong preference is to support a Democrat.

REPORTER: Bronx Senator-elect Pedro Espada is ...

New York, NY —

As New York Democrats continue their public battle over who's the next Senate majority leader, Albany observers say the infighting can have dire consequences. WNYC's Elaine Rivera reports.

REPORTER: After a week of contentious closed door meetings, Queens Sen. Malcolm Smith says he's no longer negotiating ...

New York, NY —

The New York State Senate is poised to announce a leadership deal today, but just what the leadership will be remains in doubt. Three dissident Senators said last week they'd been given plum state senate leadership positions, but the announcements were met with dismay by ...

New York, NY —

Three dissident Democrats have come to an agreement and will support Malcolm Smith to head the New York State Senate. It's the first time Democrats take control of the chamber in more than 40 years.

Bronx Sens. Ruben Diaz Sr. and Pedro Espada Jr., along with ...