Politics | WIVB TV

Anger over bonuses for V.A. officials

Rachel Kingston — Fri, 24 May 2013 02:58:43 GMT

Records missing and damaged. Veterans potentially exposed to blood-borne illnesses. Despite these serious problems, top executives at the V.A. are taking home five-figure bonuses.

Sheriff, Cuomo at odds over SAFE Act

Rich Newberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:10:20 GMT

Erie County Sheriff Timothy Howard has vowed from the beginning not to enforce the NY SAFE Act, putting him directly at odds with Governor Andrew Cuomo.

EC Leg. passes residency requirement

Luke Moretti — Thu, 23 May 2013 22:10:05 GMT

On Thursday, the Erie County Legislature passed a new residency law requiring all newly hired county employees to live within the county.

NYS Senate approves Jay-J's Law

Brittni Smallwood — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:25:41 GMT

The New York State Senate has passed Jay J’s law, a crackdown on child abusers, Thursday. State Senator Tim Kennedy says the legislation had unanimous Senate approval.

Beer ads on NFTA trains anger lawmakers

George Richert — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:30:10 GMT

Turning the NFTA Metro Rail into a "Silver Bullet" is causing controversy in Buffalo. Train cars have been wrapped with beer ads, and local lawmakers say the Coors Light marketing campaign is the wrong brew for children.

Former mayor joins Public Bridge Auth.

Brian Tabor — Thu, 23 May 2013 02:29:39 GMT

Former Buffalo mayor Anthony Masiello has a new job serving the public.

Cuomo unveils "Tax-Free NY" plan at UB

Posted by: Emily Lenihan — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:58:47 GMT

"Tax-Free NY" is being introduced, offering new businesses the opportunity to operate tax free on a SUNY campus for ten years.

Deal impacts firefighter pay, residency

George Richert — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:31:21 GMT

After 11 years without a contract, a tentative deal has been reached between the Buffalo Professional Firefighters Union and the city.

Leg. wants investigation into documents

Luke Moretti — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:23:29 GMT

After the Erie County Comptroller sounded the alarm Monday about boxes full of personal information left out in the open, there are more calls for an investigation.

Cuomo inks casino deal with Mohawks

Tue, 21 May 2013 21:52:56 GMT

Gov. Andrew Cuomo and St. Regis Mohawk tribal leaders signed an agreement Tuesday to ensure the Mohawks keep their exclusive casino territory in northern New York while paying the state $30 million in gambling proceeds that have been withheld.

Amherst passes food truck regulations

George Richert — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:37:16 GMT

After two heated public meetings, Amherst Town Board members have come up with just the right recipe for how to deal with food trucks.

Buffalo firefighters near new contract

Brittni Smallwood — Tue, 21 May 2013 02:32:52 GMT

An 11-year wait for a new contract for Buffalo firefighters may soon be over.

Parents opting out of state tests

Rachel Kingston — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:45:33 GMT

The clock is ticking. The pressure is on. Students are being put to the test - the standardized test. But now some parents say it's time to put the pencils down, and back off of this grueling process.

LaFalce resigns from ECIDA

Nancy Sanders — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:23:15 GMT

Former Congressman John LaFalce has turned in his resignation as chairman of the Erie County Industrial Development Agency.

Schumer demands airlines reverse fees

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:08:20 GMT

Senator Charles Schumer is urging airlines to reverse flight change fee increases.

Seneca leader calls Cuomo a bully

Fri, 17 May 2013 19:33:21 GMT

The head of the Seneca Indians has accused Gov. Andrew Cuomo of engaging in "playground bully tactics" over their casino disagreement.

Oneidas and NY have deal on casino cash

Thu, 16 May 2013 19:26:21 GMT

The Oneida Indians have struck a deal with the Cuomo administration to guarantee exclusive territory for their central New York casino in exchange for an estimated $50 million in annual payments to the state.

Lawmaker ques. tax breaks for Dick's

Brian Tabor — Thu, 16 May 2013 03:23:52 GMT

A Buffalo lawmaker wants state officials to figure out if a sporting goods store received improper tax breaks to open a location in Genesee County.

Fighters in WNY, push for MMA approval

Lindsay Munschauer — Thu, 16 May 2013 02:16:33 GMT

The fight for mixed-martial arts came to WNY on Wednesday.

Furloughs coming to 914th Airlift Wing

Mark Parrotte — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:46:01 GMT

The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station now knows how its employees will be impacted by the sequester.

Future of Falls icon is uncertain

Ed Drantch — Wed, 15 May 2013 21:08:41 GMT

The future of the Maid of the Mist is in jeopardy. When a California-based company takes over in Canada next year, the iconic tour boat company won't have any place to store their boats.

Last day for gun owners to opt out

Wed, 15 May 2013 11:26:15 GMT

Gun owners in New York who don't want their license information available to the public are facing a deadline to file an exemption form with local licensing authorities.

Ex FBI Chief to announce Mayoral run

Adam Francis — Sat, 11 May 2013 12:14:21 GMT

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown will have some competition from his own party this Fall. Former Buffalo FBI Chief Bernie Tolbert will announce his candidacy for Mayor of Buffalo this morning at the Bennett Smith Family Life Center on Michigan Avenue.

Gov. gives Senecas ultimatum on casinos

Ed Drantch — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:23:32 GMT

Governor Andrew Cuomo is putting all the cards on the table and gambling on any future relationship with the Seneca Nation. He's delivered an ultimatum: pay up or no more exclusivity zone.

Leg. votes to take control of jail fund

Ed Drantch — Thu, 09 May 2013 22:36:29 GMT

The Erie County Legislature voted Thursday to take control of the money in the sheriff's office.

Ex FBI Chief expected to announce run

Colleen Hannon — Thu, 09 May 2013 11:02:31 GMT

Former Buffalo FBI Chief Bernie Tolbert will make what he is calling a “major announcement” this Saturday at the Bennett Smith Family Life Center on Michigan Avenue.

Candidate wants answers from mayor

Colleen Hannon — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:56:55 GMT

The Republican candidate running for mayor of Buffalo is calling on Mayor Byron Brown to answer some questions.

Funding gone for Anti-Terrorism Unit

Rich Newberg — Tue, 07 May 2013 23:06:04 GMT

Every day, the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the NFTA Police is sweeping downtown train stations to make sure they're safe before students get out of school. Now that service could be in jeopardy.

FDA looks to add tanning bed warnings

Peter Ostrow — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:53:29 GMT

The FDA is looking to put stronger warnings on tanning beds to increase awareness about the dangers they pose.

Group finds campaign finance violations

Tue, 07 May 2013 20:24:35 GMT

Gassing up twice a week in New Jersey? Hiring Turdo the magician? Buying smoked meats for Christmas presents?