Feb 13

Feb 13 In the Spotlight: Katko Supports Mueller, Palmieri Defends Budget, & Cuomo Confronts SALT Caps

This series highlights recent work of political journalists covering the region and the state.

Photo by Christopher Gregory/The New York Times

Mark Weiner at Sryacuse.com reported Representative John Katko’s (NY-24) recent comments regarding Special Counsel Robert Mueller and his investigation into Russian meddling and the 2016 Trump campaign.

"I've known Robert Mueller. I was a federal prosecutor for 20 years," Katko explained. "He has a sterling reputation. I have no reason to believe he is anything other than an honorable man. Absolutely, the investigation should continue."

Talk of the Town (100.7 FM) hosts Jay Aiello, Mark Wolber and Rocco LaDuca interviewed Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri regarding the proposed city budget and related tax increase.

Mr. Wolber, an opponent of the proposed downtown hospital, and Mayor Palmieri, a proponent, debated contrasting visions of economic development for Utica.

Jimmy Veilkind at Politico New York provides details regarding Governor Cuomo’s proposal to “allow businesses to opt into a new payroll tax” that Cuomo “hopes will ‘thwart’ new federal limits on deductibility of state and local taxes.” The goal is to “skirt the new $10,000 deduction cap on income and property taxes.”