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A few notable cases out of today’s decisions handed down by N.Y.’s higest court, the Court of Appeals:

1. It upheld a decision by former state Comptroller Alan Hevesi to nullify a $46 million Thruway contract with Worth Construction, Connecticut-based firm, because of its alleged [...]

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The state Senate will take up a vote on bills to limit statewide officeholders (gov, lt. gov, AG, comptroller) to 8 years in office and to restrict legislators to 8 years as Senate or Assembly leader and 6 as a committee chairman.

The prime sponsor [...]

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U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer came to Albany Tuesday night as part of the state Court of Appeals’ lecture series. His topic: the U.S. Constitution.

In a roughly 45-minute address and a follow up Q-and-A period, the judge did not make news. But he [...]

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It’s not clear yet whether Gov. Spitzer and legislative leaders will be able to announce any agreements later today when they hold another public bargaining session. Neither the governor nor Joe Bruno nor Sheldon Silver indicated such in brief speaking appearances this morning on other [...]

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The Cayuga Indian Nation would end its land-claim lawsuit and accept a much small tract of land in the Finger Lakes in exchange for rights to build a casino—probably in the Catskill Mountain region—under a tentative deal announced Wednesday.

The tribe would give up [...]

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Quinnipiac University is out with a new poll this morning on NY Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Take your pick of what’s the most intriguing finding:

a) at 74 percent approval, the mayor is near an all-time high popularity in the minds of city residents. [...]

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Motorcyclists from around the state converge at the Capitol today for their annual protest of the mandatory helmet law. Despite the annual event, the bikers’ cause has never gained much traction in the state Legislature.

In an unrelated note, two weeks ago hundreds [...]

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A downstate federal judge has denied a request by war protesters to be allowed to enter West Point next Saturday when Vice President Dick Cheney gives a graduation address. Accounts here and here.

A former court clerk in Syracuse alleged she was [...]

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Out in Western N.Y., the Seneca Nation announced it has voted to charge New York state $1 per vehicle for each one that passes through its Cattaraugus territory on the state thruway.

The tribe said it won’t harass motorists but will bill the state beginning [...]

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One more time, he’s not running. For president. For governor. For anything.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg didn’t wait for the question to be asked at a news conference this afternoon. He jumped right in, cutting off the political speculation, while [...]