Obama’s Re-Election Campaign Stops in Albany

President Obama Visits SUNY Albany

President Barack Obama will be in the Albany region today.

The president will deliver a speech at SUNY Albany’s College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering. He’s expected to speak on the economy and showcase cutting-edge technology as a job-creator.

Obama officially began his re-election campaign earlier in the week.

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MMA Approval Likely Dead in State Assembly

Fans of mixed martial arts will be disappointed to hear that legislation legalizing the boxing-like sport in New York State won’t make it past the assembly this year.

The senate passed the bill for a third time this session, but democrats in the assembly are said to be divided over whether to approve the fights under a state athletics commission.

New York outlawed mixed martial arts contests in 1997, but promoters of the sport say new rules and requirements have made the violent sport safer since.

Reports from the democratic majority conference in the assembly say talks are on-going about mixed martial arts, but until there’s some indication of agreement, the bill will not go on the agenda.

NYS Stem Cell Research is Making Progress

A report from a group of the state’s top medical schools says they are making progress in stem cell research, especially in replicating liver cells and getting rid of the cells that cause leukemia.

The report on the Associated Medical Schools of New York website details how a $600 million grant is being used.

The Empire State Stem Cell Program pays for research that can’t get Federal or private support for stem cell research. The report was released about halfway through the program that’s been going on since 2008. The combined research efforts hope to find a number of treatments for problems including heart disease and other chronic ailments.

Cuomo Pushes for New State Agency to Protect Special Needs Patients

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced proposed legislation to create a new state agency. This department would investigate reported cases of abuse in state centers for special needs.

The Justice Center for Protection of People with special needs would have a special prosecutor and investigators to look into allegations of abuse by state workers.

Newspapers in Albany and downstate have reported on problems in the state’s Centers for the Disabled, including neglect and abuse.

Cuomo believes the state needs to monitor those facilities better.

Members of the legislative leadership in the assembly and senate say they think Cuomo’s idea will be supported.

Oneonta City Schools to Receive Additional Funding

State senator James Seward announced Monday that the Oneonta City School District will receive additional senate funding to assist with budgetary needs. Oneonta superintendent Mike Shea says the district is getting $100,000.

Senator Seward also announced $50,000 for the Unatego Central School District.