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Politics on the Hudson (Free subscription) | 2 hours ago
... actions the governor should take while a “sensible solution to the budget gap is negotiated,” said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Democratic Majority. “We will continue to work with all sides on a bipartisan and fiscally prudent deficit-reduction plan that protects jobs, prevents tax hikes, and saves critical funding for our schools,” Shafran said. Robert Megna, Paterson’s...
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The Daily Politics (Free subscription) | 11/19/2009
... senate session today and it will reconvene on Monday," confirmed Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran. "In the meantime, we’re going to continue negotiations with the governor’s office and the Assembly on the deficit reduction plan." This is not unexpected. Rumors of a Monday-morning return have been circulating for several days now as it has become...
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Capitol confidential (Free subscription) | 11/16/2009
... Republican press office would not engage. “We don’t run the Senate,” said Scott Reif, a spokesman. Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Democratic majority, said that members of the Senate and their employees “cannot use Senate resources or equipment for their own private business dealings.” He would not talk about the Bruno case, but said Senate staff can help a senator on private matters...
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Towleroad (Free subscription) | 11/11/2009
Some good news did come out of Albany yesterday : "An agreement was reached to bring the marriage equality legislation for a vote before the end of the year and we will commit the full spectrum of our energies to making marriage equality a reality in the state of New York," said Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Majority Conference. Gay City News reports : " Flanked by four members...
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Politics on the Hudson (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
The Senate Democratic majority will now attend Gov. David Paterson’s address Monday to a joint session of the Legislature, a spokesman said this morning. “They still don’t want to, but out of respect to the governor’s office they are going to attend,” said spokesman Austin Shafran. Shafran said the conference expects all members to attend Monday and...
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The Daily Politics (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
... seriously. Senate leadership fell in line this morning. UPDATE 1: Democratic majority spokesman Austin Shafran denied the change had anything to do with bad publicity. "That had nothing to do with the decision, It was about how to make the most productive use of our time while continuing productive negotiations with the governor." Shafran said the senators also did...
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WCBSTV.com: Your Source For New Yor (Free subscription) | 11/06/2009
Facing a break in their ranks amid criticism they were snubbing the governor during a fiscal crisis, the Senate's Democrats now plan to attend Gov. David Paterson's speech to a joint session of the Legislature on Monday. Senate Majority spokesman Austin Shafran says Friday the senators will be there.
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Seattle Times (Free subscription) | 11/05/2009
Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran said he didn't think the senators made a decision yet on whether to attend Monday's session, which lawmakers aren't required to attend. Shafran said the majority would attend the extraordinary session, which lawmakers must attend under the constitution to consider issues presented by the governor. The Legislature isn't required to vote...
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The Daily Politics (Free subscription) | 10/29/2009
... and that's the focus of our conference right now," said Democratic conference spokesman Austin Shafran. In a brief interview this morning, Peralta said he has not discussed his candidacy with any of the Senate leaders - not even fellow Queens Democrat Malcolm Smith, whose loss of the majority leader post due to the June 8 coup sparked by Monserrate and now-Majority Leader Pedro...
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The Daily Politics (Free subscription) | 10/27/2009
... out any bad feelings still lingering from the Senate coup . The Senate Democrats' spokesman, Austin Shafran, couldn't remember, either, although he stressed that Sampson and Smith have joined Paterson at numerous public events in recent weeks and months. (He didn't offer any specifics). Cuomo's press release for today's event featured a glowing quote from an Obama administration official:...
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Albany Matters (Free subscription) | 10/26/2009
... the state and are not going to be rushed. “What is most important for us is to get it right,” said Austin Shafran a spokesman for the Democratic majority. You can follow the Senate hearing that is taking place in the city today on the Senate’s Twitter account .
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ALBANYS INSANITY (Free subscription) | 10/26/2009
... retained by the majority, can receive up to $350 an hour, said Senate Democratic spokesman Austin Shafran. The number of associates will depend on the extent of the work, Shafran said. Hmmm, which YouTube video says it best? Is it Howard Beale’s “I’m mad as hell and not gonna take it anymore” rant from “Network”? Not bad. But that’s not it. This is more John McEnroe. Yeah,...
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The Daily Politics (Free subscription) | 10/22/2009
... which has been retained, can receive up to $350 an hour, said Senate Democratic majority spokesman Austin Shafran. The number of associates will depend on the extent of the work, Shafran said. "Traditionally, outside counsel is retained in these types of cases to ensure an independent and impartial analysis of the relevant facts and law." Shafran also argued...
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News Channel 9: Local News (Free subscription) | 10/19/2009
... he deliberately cut her face with a glass. A felony conviction would have forced him out of office.Austin Shafran, spokesman for the Senate Democrats, says Monday that the leadership is still discussing what to do. Senators can vote to censure or expel Monserrate following a committee review.A call to Monserrate was not immediately returned.
