Republican Assembly candidate Rob Biagi made a property-tax cap the first issue of his campaign when he announced his candidacy Sunday against Democratic Assemblyman George Latimer.

Biagi, a resident of New Rochelle, said a cap is critical, indicating what will be a fight in many races this election year as lawmakers left town last week without [...]

Sen. John McCain has a new television out today that aims to highlight his so-called Lexington Project, which is his plan to “achieve strategic energy independence” by 2025.

The ad is airing on national cable and in key battleground states.

Business groups around the state are starting the New York Property Tax Cap Coalition, which they say is a “broad-based group of individuals, businesses, taxpayer groups and other associations who support the proposed property tax cap.”

The group includes chambers of commerce and other business groups from Long Island and upstate, including Unshackle Upstate, Rochester Business [...]

A lot of talk around the Capitol in recent weeks has been whether Gov. David Paterson’s accommodating demeanor means he’s a push over.

But just ask Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco. Tedisco, R-Schenectady, appeared to upstage Paterson by railing for a tax cap at a press conference earlier this month with Paterson on an unrelated issue.

Tedisco, [...]

The Supreme Court today struck down the “millionaire’s amendment” that was challenged by western New York congressional candidate Jack Davis, a wealthy businessman who lost two races to Rep. Thomas Reynolds, R-Clarence, Erie County.

The court ruled that the amendment was an unfair way “to help opponents of wealthy political candidates who spend from their personal [...]

Anheuser-Busch defended its high-octane alcoholic drinks today as it agreed to go along with Attorney General Andrew Cuomo’s edict to stop selling the drinks.

Here’s most of the brewery’s statement:

“Although Bud Extra and Tilt met all regulatory requirements, had much less caffeine than a Starbuck’s coffee, and had received all necessary federal and state agency approvals, [...]

Yesterday, the state GOP added some high-profile names to its list of John McCain delegates. Here’s a look:

At Large Delegates:
Lawrence Kadish, GOP donor
Senator Joseph Bruno
Linda Mondello, wife of state GOP chairman
Craig Eaton, Brooklyn chairman
Rudolph Giuliani
Alfonse D’Amato
Vincent Reda, Rockland chairman
John Faso
Charles Urstadt, party insider
Roy Goodman, former Manhattan chairman
Assemblyman James Tedisco

At-Large Alternate Delegates:
Howard Mills, former Senate candidate
Georgette [...]

Anheuser-Busch agreed today to stop selling caffeinated alcohol beverages after an investigation by New York and other states showed the company was illegally marketing the drinks to young people.

The agreement reached by Attorney General Andrew Cuomo and other attorneys general calls for Anheuser-Busch to no longer produce caffeinated “Tilt,” “Bud Extra,” or other alcoholic [...]

This spiffy spoof on James Bond features Barack Obama as “Dr. No” for his alleged “opposition to providing the American people with short-term, near-term and long-term relief from higher energy prices,” McCain’s campaign says.

Sen. Hillary Clinton is asking donors to help her pay off her whooping $10 million campaign debt she incurred during her presidential campaign. Already AP is reporting (see below) that Barack Obama is trying to help in preparation of their rally together Friday.

Here’s Clinton’s letter to donors:

Dear Friend,
I made a promise to you, and I [...]