Karen DeWitt

New York, NY —

The New York State Senate took up the issue of imposing the death penalty for the murderers of police officers. From Albany Karen Dewitt reports.

Albany, NY —

As the members of the International Olympic Committee close in on a decision for the host city of the 2012 Olympic Games, New York's bid was dealt a crippling blow yesterday. The three-person board controlled by Governor Pataki and the state's legislative leaders rejected state financing ...

New York, NY —

After twenty years of vitriolic and tardy state budget fights, the dream of an on-time spending plan came true late Tuesday night for New York State.

Governor Pataki and legislative leaders agreed to add more than one billion dollars in spending on welfare services, environmental projects ...

Albany, NY —

For the first time in 21 years, the New York State legislature met the deadline for passing a state budget. But Governor Pataki warns there is still work ahead.

Karen Dewitt has more from Albany.

Albany, NY —

In his State of the State message, Governor George Pataki listed a seven-point plan to reform some of the dysfunction in Albany. At a rally attended by a diverse array of groups from around the state, participants say they hope the governor actually meant what he ...

Albany, NY —

In Albany yesterday a state commission heard testimony on how to reform the state's lobbying laws. Tighter regulation and a ban on gift-giving are among the proposals on the table. Karen Dewitt has more from Albany.

New York, NY —

The outcome of the presidential race was predicted in New York from the beginning of the campaign. But this election became a pitted battle over change in Albany. We discuss the state Assembly and Senate races with WNYC's Albany reporter Karen DeWitt.

Also, ...

New York, NY —

Governor George Pataki has released a plan to reform the Rockefeller Drug Laws that he says could rapidly free thousands of prisoners sentenced to long jail terms for non-violent drug offenses. The announcement gained the Governor new support from one leader in the African-American community, ...

New York, NY —

Tensions between Governor Pataki and Republican State Senate leader Joseph Bruno are escalating with Pataki accusing the legislature of causing fiscal disaster and Bruno saying the Governor is not telling the truth. Meanwhile, the legislature is preparing to pass its final spending bills today and ...