Politics Now

By Tom Precious

ALBANY -- It's been five months since the governor talked in his State of the State address about a women's equality agenda and its most controversial element: protecting abortion access in New York.

So how does the Cuomo administration finally unveil the wording of his proposal? In an op-ed piece in today's Albany Times Union, which will be followed up by a news conference this morning at the Capitol.

Mylan Denerstein, writing on behalf of Gov. Andrew Cuomo, said in the op-ed that the abortion bill will not include an expansion of any current rights. "The state shall not deny a woman's right to obtain an abortion as established by the United States Supreme Court in the 1973 decision Roe vs. Wade,'' the bill language states. She said it will also confirm the Roe decision that a woman can obtain an abortion "when the fetus is not viable or when necessary to protect a woman's life or health as determined by a licensed physician.''

The governor has said the bill is necessary to codify the Roe decision into New York law in the event the decision is overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. But conservative courts since 1973 have had opportunities to go after the Roe decision, and haven't, and New York permitted abortions years before the Roe decision.

 

 

Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski talks about what stories he'll be working on, including a looming federal budget battle and a Senator who thinks some bankers belong in jail.

 

Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski will be on the lookout for potential impacts on Western New York stemming from Tuesday night's State of the Union address. Families of those who died in the crash of Flight 3407 will also be in D.C. Tuesday.

Kevin Walter, The News' deputy editorial page editor, spoke this afternoon with Brian Meyer about how the paper goes about making its decisions and about the potential effects of the endorsements it makes:

News Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski spoke earlier this afternoon with Brian Meyer about Barack Obama's chances and other topics. Here's what they had to say:

The Buffalo News and BuffaloNews.com will have all the issues and races covered on Election Day from the minute you wake up until the results unfold.

Starting at 10 a.m. Tuesday, we'll have a live chat with guests to talk about the important issues, key races and the latest updates from across Western New York. Reporters Mary Pasciak and Patrick Lakamp will be your hosts. We'll also bring you insight from Political Reporter Bob McCarthy and Columnist Donn Esmonde. Here's what we have so far in terms of guests:

*10 a.m.: Reporter Gene Warner on what early-morning voters were saying at the polls

*10:30 a.m.: Deputy Managing Editor Stan Evans on what to watch for throughout the day

*11 a.m.: Washington Columnist Doug Turner on the national scene

*12 p.m.: Turner and Managing Editor Brian Connolly open it up for a discussion with readers

*1:10 p.m.: Health Reporter Henry Davis on health care issues

*1:40 p.m.: Business Editor Grove Potter on economic issues

*2:10 p.m.: Siena Research Institute pollster Steven A. Greenberg

*2:40 p.m.: Editorial Page Editor John Neville on The Buffalo News' endorsement process

*3:10 p.m.: Reporter Dan Herbeck on the Seneca Nation elections

*3:40 p.m.: Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski reports from Chicago

*4:10 p.m.: Buffalo News Editor Mike Connelly gives a Florida perspective

*4:40 p.m.: Reporter Jay Rey from the swing state of Ohio

*4:55 p.m.: Reporter Matt Glynn on local town board upsizing votes

*5:10 p.m.: Reporter Barbara O'Brien on area State Assembly races

*5:40 p.m.: Reporter Sandra Tan on the Erie County comptroller's race

*6:10 p.m.: Rochester D&C Reporter Jessica Alaimo on the Slaughter-Brooks race

*6:25 p.m.: Reporter Thomas J. Prohaska on the Witryol-Maziarz State Senate race

*6:40 p.m.: Reporter Denise Jewell Gee on the Collins-Hochul race

*7:10 p.m.: Reporter Charity Vogel on the Grisanti-Amodeo-Swanick race

*7:40 p.m.: Reporter Tom Precious reports from Boston

*8 p.m.: Metro Columnist Donn Esmonde chimes in

*8:30 p.m.: Political Reporter Bob McCarthy

We've also got a live video broadcast starting at noon. Check out that schedule.

Well, it's finally here. Washington Bureau Chief Jerry Zremski previews election coverage for The Buffalo News and BuffaloNews.com.