State News

	Source: Ex-NY politician to plead guilty to tax charge A person close to the case says former New York state Sen. Nicholas Spano plans to admit in court today that he failed to pay $52,000 in income taxes.
	Man shot, killed after opening fire at NY court Authorities say a 43-year-old man has died after being wounded by officers during a gunfight at an upstate New York courthouse. A court officer was wounded.
	NY needs $29.7B in sewer, water work A federal study shows New York needs $29.7 billion in essential upgrades to long overlooked water and sewer systems nationwide over the next 20 years.
	6 SUNY schools ranked by Princeton as "best value" Six State University of New York schools are included on the Princeton Review's list of the "Best Value Colleges" for 2012.
	NY official: Much work needed on 'fracking' regs New York's environment commissioner says the proposed state budget doesn't include money for regulating hydraulic fracturing because "considerable work" needs to be done on 61,000 public comments about the natural gas drilling technology.
	NY Legislature digs into Cuomo's tax plan New York's Legislature will consider taxes at its next public hearing on Gov. Andrew Cuomo's proposed budget.
	NY officials warn of lottery scam with phony check New York officials are warning people about a lottery scam involving phony checks that appear to have been issued by the state.
	Cuomo appointee to police Cuomo administration A longtime appointee of Gov. Andrew Cuomo has been chosen to police ethics in the governor's administration, the Legislature and lobbying.
	NY teachers union ads call for local evaluations New York's largest union is launching a statewide ad campaign calling for locally developed teacher evaluation systems that put less emphasis on standardized test scores.
	Schumer seeks tougher domestic violence law U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer says domestic violence is rising fast and new, tougher federal laws are needed to help police battle the crime.