Alex Gault

Reporting on Albany for the North Country w/ Johnson Newspapers, @wdtnews. My job is to tell you what’s happening, not what to think of it.

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

The state legislature passed a new version of a bill that would put Syracuse, Rochester & Buffalo into their own judicial districts.
The prior version was the one bill from last year that Hochul pocket vetoed.

https://t.co/jqhZLRRXZj

[Jon Campbell @JonCampbellNY]

That's interesting -- I thought Gov. Hochul didn't take a position on legislation before it gets to her desk. Huh.

[Rebecca C. Lewis @_rebeccaclewis]

After a slow roll vote, the state Senate has officially passed a state constitutional amendment to permit mid-decade and partisan redistricting. Next is the Assembly, then second passage next year before it goes to voters.

[Dan Clark @DanClarkReports]

There's been quite a bit of online discourse around this bill that would replace "mother" with "gestating parent."
https://t.co/t2Tpt2k98u

Not everything is a weird conspiracy. The bill clarifies language to reflect that someone's "mother" isn't necessarily their "gestating parent" for certain *legal reasons.*

Like, if they were born from a surrogate or adopted. That person considers their "mother" to be the person who raised them, not the person who birthed them.

The bill doesn't change "mother" and "father" in all areas of state law.

Here's the sponsor's memo explaining the bill:

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

“I’ve said nothing about this man’s son, I wish him and his son the best in this regard.”
Also brings up his own relationship with his father, who died when he was seven.
“I know the bond between father and son.”

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

Constantino responded to this story with a video on here. He’s blocked me so I can’t share; summary is that he points out that he’s has never said anything about Smullen’s child, says he would would never; it was an pro-Constantino poster on FaceBook who did so.

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

Robert Smullen held a press conference on Tuesday to explain why he thinks his opponent for Congress in #NY21 is unfit for office and why he declined to shake his hand after the two debated last Friday.

https://t.co/Cf40ydKtbV

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

Robert Smullen held a press conference on Tuesday to explain why he thinks his opponent for Congress in #NY21 is unfit for office and why he declined to shake his hand after the two debated last Friday.

https://t.co/Cf40ydKtbV

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

It’s Dairy Day at the NY state capitol today, and that means you have a chance to name this calf if you can get to the LOB.

[Steve Hughes @shugheswrites]

Last week @NassauExec also declined to weigh in on the split between Trump and the state party in this contest.

[Jack Arpey @jack_arpey]

Deputy Sen. Majority Leader @SenGianaris says we may no longer be looking at multiple redistricting amendments— tells us to stay tuned as to what is in—and what if anything is out—under that arrangement expected to hit the floor later this week

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

When asked by @KaitlynnLisa who he’s supporting for Congress in #NY21, Lawler declines to chime in.
“I’m not making an endorsement in that race,” he said.

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

An Oswego landlord has been assaulting his residents, and officials have declined to bring charges for over a decade.
No more - Doug Waterbury is charged with attempted rape, stalking and more. https://t.co/UlFPU9e1wS

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

Amendment language to allow the state to see the property and use the proceeds to add more preserve land has floated in Albany for years.
Hochul wanted to push it this year, and included it in her executive budget proposal. It fell out of talks - it's not clear who said no.

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

The state budget does not start the amendment process to allow for the sale & redevelopment of the former Camp Gabriels prison in the Adirondack State park.
"After negotiations with the Legislature, it did not make the final plan," Hochul spox said today.
🔽

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

The prison closed in 2009 and became forest preserve land, constitutionally protected from ever being sold or redeveloped.
After some confusion and an auction that never went through, it's still abandoned.

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

In tonight’s debate, Anthony Constantino said he’s backing Bruce Blakeman for NY Governor. He said he wants to flip NY red while also criticizing the NY GOP who’ve endorsed his opponent

[Alex Gault @AlexBGault]

NY is planning to build a bunch of new nuclear power plants, but some state lawmakers are looking to pause that development for two years and a full review. They’ve got a former NRC chair who has turned against the technology in their corner.

https://t.co/lw1bQxK5wC

[Bernadette Hogan @bern_hogan]

The bill with the new pied a terre tax

[Rebecca C. Lewis @_rebeccaclewis]

NEW from state Sen. Jamaal Bailey on a beloved Albany end of session tradition now that the budget is finally wrapping up:
"Sneaker Day is never skipped. Sneaker Day is every day. Sneaker Day is a passion. Sneaker Day is a calling. Sneaker Day is JUNE 3."

[David Lombardo @poozer87]

Assembly Democrats are conferencing the Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act today, according to multiple sources.