STATE SENATORS IN DAY TWO OF SPECIAL SESSION by Ken Mahoney

STATE SENATORS IN DAY TWO OF SPECIAL SESSION by Ken Mahoney

It’s Day Two of the State Senate’s special summer session, and voters are hoping it’s more productive than Opening Day. Democrats and Republicans held simultaneous but separate sessions in the senate chamber yesterday. Rockland senator Thomas Morahan told WRCR this morning that each side made progress on a number of pending bills. But with the senate still deadlocked in a leadership dispute, nothing was brought before the full membership. Governor David Paterson is pressing for action on an agenda of what he considers key legislation. But, despite his power to call this special session, Paterson can’t compel the senators to vote. Meanwhile, leaders of both parties are reportedly weighing at least one proposal for a power-sharing agreement.

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE ON HISTORY CHANNEL TONIGHT by Ken Mahoney

TAPPAN ZEE BRIDGE ON HISTORY CHANNEL TONIGHT by Ken Mahoney

The Tappan Zee Bridge will be a featured subject on the History Channel tonight. The Channel’s Modern Marvels series looks critically at parts of the nation’s infrastructure in an episode entitled “The Crumbling of America.” Among those to appear on the Tappan Zee segment is County Legislator Ed Day, a long-time advocate for structural upgrades on the half-century-old bridge. Tonight’s program airs at nine o’clock on the History Channel and re-airs Sunday at 5 p.m.

HEARING IN RAMAPO TONIGHT ON O&R RATE-HIKE BID by Ken Mahoney

HEARING IN RAMAPO TONIGHT ON O&R RATE-HIKE BID by Ken Mahoney

A public hearing is set for tonight on Orange and Rockland’s proposed rate increase on gas delivery. The 8 p.m. hearing, to be televised locally, will take place at Ramapo Town Hall. At least one representative of the state Public Service Commission will be at the session to field residents’ questions – and hear their comments – on the five-and-a-half percent rate hike O&R seeks. It’s the first of two sound-off sessions in the works in Rockland. A public forum is slated for next Monday night at Orangetown Town Hall. Tonight’s hearing in Ramapo can be seen live on CableVision channel 77 and Verizon Fios channel 32.

”COUP” GIVES GOP CONTROL OF NY STATE SENATE by Ken Mahoney

”COUP” GIVES GOP CONTROL OF NY STATE SENATE by Ken Mahoney

Republicans have regained control of the State Senate, thanks to a coup, of sorts, that involved two Democrats. The takeover came late in yesterday’s session, when Republicans called a surprise vote to re-organize the Senate leadership. The two dissident Democrats -- Pedro Espada of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens – gave the Republicans an effective majority of 32-to-30. The vote topples Malcolm Smith as majority leader and Senate President, replacing him in the latter role with Espada. Long Island Republican Dean Skelos takes over as Majority Leader. He says the coup had been in the works, secretly, for about two months. It comes with two weeks left in the legislative session and a number of controversial bills, including one to legalize same-sex marriage, still on the table. Democrats, including Smith and Governor David Paterson, say they’ll challenge the Republican takeover, but it’s not clear if they have grounds to do it.

GROUND BROKEN FOR NJ-NYC COMMUTER RAIL TUNNEL by Ken Mahoney

GROUND BROKEN FOR NJ-NYC COMMUTER RAIL TUNNEL by Ken Mahoney

Construction starts today on a new tunnel to New York City, this one between North Bergen, New Jersey and Manhattan. The commuter-rail tunnel, expected to open about eight years from now, is billed as the nation’s largest transportation project, with an $8.7-billion price-tag. By contrast, the Holland Tunnel – opened in 1927 – cost $54-million. And the Lincoln Tunnel opened ten years later at an initial construction cost of $75-million.

KLEINER GETS DEMOCRATS NOD FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE by Ken Mahoney

KLEINER GETS DEMOCRATS NOD FOR COUNTY EXECUTIVE by Ken Mahoney

The stage is all but set for this year’s County Executive election. Rockland Democrats have nominated Orangetown Supervisor Thom Kleiner to face Republican incumbent County Exec Scott Vanderhoef. Both men are running uncontested, so, unless there’s a primary upset, theirs will be the names on November’s ballot. Kliener is stepping down after his seventh term as Orangetown’s supervisor to challenge Vanderhoef, who’s in his fourth term as County Executive. Kleiner’s nomination – along with that of incumbent County Clerk Paul Piperato – came last night at the Democrats’ county convention in New City

O&R UNION: NO STRIKE SET … FOR NOW by Ken Mahoney

O&R UNION: NO STRIKE SET … FOR NOW by Ken Mahoney

The clock ran out at midnight on the latest round of contract talks between Orange and Rockland and its 657 union workers. O&R spokesman Michael Donovan says the utility’s final contract offer remains on the table, and that the current contract will be extended until the dispute is resolved. IBEW Local 503 President Brian Scott tells the Journal News the union won’t strike for now, but that its members at O&R are ready to walk out at any time. O&R reportedly seeks a range of cutbacks in employee benefits. Donovan says the cutbacks are required to meet the needs of O&R’s customers, stock-holders and employees.