Politics

State

A once-powerful Brooklyn state senator was arrested today in a widening corruption scandal that has resulted in criminal charges against other lawmakers and turned some into wire-wearing informants. … Full Article

Victims of domestic violence will be getting much-needed assistance from the government – at both the federal and state levels – as a package of legislation and a grant make their way to local officials. … Full Article

ALBANY — The state ethics board says its report into accusations that Assemblyman Vito Lopez sexually harassed young, women staffers will soon be made public. … Full Article

Is New York going to become the next state to legalize marijuana? It’s too soon to tell, but one Brooklyn lawmaker is doing her best to make sure it happens. … Full Article

By Paula Katinas Campaign finance reform is in the air in Albany. In the most recent development, Assemblyman Joseph Lentol (D-Greenpoint) said he will sponsor legislation to reform campaign finance laws to make the campaign system more equitable and fair. … Full Article

Should taxpayers be obligated to pay for candidates to run for political office? At a Bay Ridge rally Wednesday night organizers called a “Rally for Fair Elections,” dozens of people answered a resounding “yes” to that question. … Full Article

New York City schools stand to receive $8.28 billion in funding under the new state budget, according to Assemblyman Joseph R. … Full Article

Both houses of the State Legislature have voted to approve the state’s new budget, but two of Brooklyn’s Republican legislators said the fight over funding for health care programs and other expenditures is far from over. … Full Article

In a sign that Coney Island is bouncing back from the destruction of Hurricane Sandy, state Sen. Diane Savino announced that she has reopened her district office there. … Full Article

Councilman Stephen Levin’s effort to get the city to install more cameras on traffic lights to catch speed demons has hit a bump in the road. The State Senate refused to put funds toward it when the state budget was in the process of being finalized in Albany. … Full Article