The Capitol Pressroom Program for January 29, 2010

The character of this year’s legislative session is beginning to take shape. Divisions are becoming more pronounced. We are seeing the emergence of strange bed-fellows. What does it mean for us, the tax payers, when a sitting Governor — and his hard-to-swallow spending plan — are SO unpopular that lawmakers from opposing parties are forming alliances?

Today on the show several long time capitol reporters will discuss this dynamic, and how it could manifest in this year’s budget agreement.

And then, some positive economic news for a change. Comptroller DiNapoli recently issued a report indicating the economic benefit New York City is reaping from its swell in immigration. The more immigrants in a neighborhood, the faster the economic engine. By far, the largest immigrant group in New York these days are Latinos from places like the Dominican Republican. Today Assemblyman Pete Lopez and Michael Fondacaro, the editor of Noticias & Notas, join me to discuss immigration policy, the growth of Latino power, and the Pedro Espada conundrum.