The Capitol Pressroom for March 27, 2012

 

Legislative leaders were in high gear last night – With a Saturday midnight budget deadline staring them in the face, they got down to business, hammering out agreements on infrastructure spending; a new broadly defined commission on gambling… and gubernatorial power to transfer money from one agency to another.  Newsday’s Albany Bureau Chief Yancey Roy joins us with an update on where things stand. 

Then, what will NOT be in the budget?  Legislation to create a health care marketplace in NY.  Blair Horner of the American Cancer Society will share his thoughts on what that could mean for NY as we head deeper into healthcare reform. 

General Contractors are thrilled by the money that will be spent on transportation infrastructure.  Mike Elmendorf, President & CEO, NYS Association of General Contractors will have reaction. 

Plus, Senator Liz Kruger and Senator Bill Perkins, both Democrats, want a bill currently sitting in the Senate Codes committee to be pulled off the shelf.  The bill authorizes the use of deadly force in self-defense.  Senate Dems say that in light of the Trayvon Martin shooting tragedy the bill invites vigilantism.