By Gerald Benjamin   The brief dustup in the Judiciary Committee regarding the nomination of Jenny Rivera for the Court of Appeals is just the latest piece of evidence that Republicans, with their Independent Democrat coalition partners, are presiding in the Senate but not governing through it. The Committee is comprised of 12 Republicans, 9 Democrats and 2 Independent Democrats; unlike the Senate as a whole, it has a Republican majority. The committee chair, John Bonacic, and some GOP members… [More]

As voters cast their ballots across the state today, they’ll decide the winners of a number of tossup congressional races and the fate of a handful or so of state Senate seats that will determine control of Albany’s upper house. Here’s a snapshot of some of the most closely watched races around New York — with a one-sided U.S. Senate race and a crowded New York City Council special election to boot.   Key Congressional Races 1st Congressional District Rep. Tim… [More]