The Chicago City Council approved a measure on Wednesday that allows police to issue citations for those carrying small amounts of marijuana rather than make arrests. It's the latest follow through by U.S. officials to decrease penalties associated with the drug.
The New York governor's proposal to decriminalize the public possession of marijuana is drawing high praise from politicians and police, black and Hispanic activists and backers of pot legalization.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is asking state legislators to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana that are in public view.
Just in case you thought you had time to catch your breath from the culture wars, the issue of marriage for gay couples is back at the ballot box this year. On Tuesday, North Carolinians voted 61% to 39% to ban all forms of relationship recognition for same-sex couples.
The New York attorney general sued some of the nation's biggest banks on Friday, accusing them of unlawful and deceptive practices for relying on a private electronic registry that tracks mortgages.
A political battle is shaping up in the Garden State about whether to give gay and lesbian couples the right to wed -- a move that, if approved, would make New Jersey the seventh state in the nation to legalize same-sex marriage.
A new special task force to investigate and prosecute those responsible for bad mortgages during the housing boom will be part of President Obama's 2012 agenda.
New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman will head a task force to investigate housing practices, a senior administration official said early Wednesday.
As the "tax the rich" debate rages in Washington D.C., some states are turning to their wealthiest residents to bring in much-needed revenue.
A deal to help victims of improper foreclosures has been slow going, in large part because of infighting among state attorneys general over giving banks a free pass from future lawsuits.
Conservative groups on Monday filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court challenging the legality of the state's same-sex marriage law.
Rhode Island state senators sound off about a bill that permits civil unions for gay and lesbian couples.
Less than a week after New York became the nation's sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage, Rhode Island state lawmakers on Wednesday voted in favor of a bill that permits civil unions between gay and lesbian couples.
There were boisterous celebrations in the streets of Greenwich Village in Manhattan on Friday night, after the New York state Senate voted to legalize same-sex marriage, and Gov. Andrew Cuomo rushed to sign the new measure into law just a few minutes later.
New York's Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks after passage of a same-sex marriage bill in the NY Senate.
The number of Americans living in states covered by same-sex marriage laws has more than doubled after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill into law that gave gay and lesbian couples the right to marry.
The Marriage Equality Act was approved in the New York State Senate Friday night by a vote of 33-29.
New York's Republican-controlled legislature cleared the way Friday to legalize same-sex marriage with a 33-to-29 vote, sending the bill to the governor's desk for his approval.
Demonstrators gathered in Albany, New York, Wednesday as state lawmakers pored over the details of a bill that could help make New York the nation's sixth and largest state to legalize same-sex marriage.
With one more vote needed to pass gay marriage, New York Sen. Greg Ball holds out for stronger religious protections.
A day after state lawmakers were due to head home, a pair of controversial issues seem to stubbornly postpone their summer recess.
After last week's GOP debate it would be safe to assume that President Obama pretty much has the 2012 gay vote all sewn up.
The New York Senate failed to bring to the floor a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage Monday, but talks will continue Tuesday, according to a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos.
Former NFL player David Tyree discusses his controversial comments on same-sex marriage.
With the clock ticking on New York's legislative session, Gov. Andrew Cuomo is hoping lawmakers will use their last scheduled day to take up his proposed legislation to legalize same-sex marriage.
Richard is 84. John is 91. If New York passes gay marriage, they'll tie the knot. Alison Kosik reports
Larry Flynt, porn publisher and erstwhile snoop into the sex lives of politicians, has offered a job to disgraced former U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner.
Embattled Rep. Anthony Weiner announces his resignation from Congress.
New York's state Assembly Wednesday night approved a same-sex marriage bill, sending it to the Senate, where it faces a closer vote.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a bill Tuesday that would legalize same-sex marriage, effectively delivering on a promise he has made since taking office in January.
Supporters of Proposition 8, banning gay marriage in California, suffered defeat as a gay judge's ruling was upheld.
It is looking more likely that Rep. Anthony Weiner, embroiled in a sexting scandal, could lose his 9th Congressional District as part of a redistricting deal, multiple New York Democratic sources told CNN on Wednesday.
Here is some unsolicited advice for Jon Jones' management team, offered by someone who has interviewed the UFC light heavyweight champ several times and would like to do so again: Take away your man's smart phone!
Think you're mad that gas prices are still high, even as oil prices are falling? Gas station owners in New York, Maryland and other states are furious about that, too, and they're blaming their suppliers for gouging them.
Former New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi was sentenced Friday to the maximum sentence of one to four years in prison after pleading guilty to a felony corruption charge for his key role in a wide-ranging state pension fund scandal.
New York's legislature approved a budget early Thursday that significantly reduces state spending without raising taxes.
Governor Andrew Cuomo and New York's top legislators worked through the weekend to hammer out what they hope will be the state's first on-time budget in five years.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the New York state legislature have reached an agreement on a $132.5 billion budget that would reduce spending by more than 2% and eliminate a $10 billion deficit without raising taxes.
Sen. Charles Schumer is proposing to audit all New York bus drivers' licenses following last week's bus crash that killed 15.
For the elderly, state budget cuts could mean no more daily hot meals and exercise classes to help prevent falls. At worst, some could even lose their beds at the nursing home.
After proposing a $1.5 billion cut in state aid to schools for the upcoming academic year, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo is targeting the salaries of the state's school superintendents.
Facing an enormous budget shortfall, Connecticut's governor is proposing hiking taxes on everything from incomes to cigarettes to pedicures.
Funding to New York's schools and Medicaid program would get slashed under a $132.9 billion budget unveiled by newly installed Gov. Andrew Cuomo Tuesday.
There will be lots more state workers joining the unemployment line this year.
Malcolm X once said that the one man you should be most afraid of is a man who is willing to die for what he believes.
The newly inaugurated governor of New York proposed a wave of belt-tightening measures Wednesday as part of what he called a fundamental realignment of the state.
New York's new governor, one of several greeted by billions of dollars in budget gaps, acted to cut his salary Monday amid reports he will freeze the pay of most other state workers.
Like many of the nation's new governors, in capitals from Sacramento to Albany, New York's Andrew Cuomo has shunned the usual inaugural pomp because of the state's dire circumstances of soaring budget deficits and sinking public confidence.
The overall economy may be improving, but states are facing tough choices in 2011. CNN's Mary Snow has more.
From coast to coast, new governors warn of tough times ahead but vow a commitment to bi-partisanship.
Former California Gov. Jerry Brown returned to his state's highest office Monday -- restoring an old political dynasty while helping to usher in a new balance of power in statehouses across the country.
Quadrangle investment group founding partner and former Obama "auto czar" Steven Rattner agreed Thursday to pay a $10 million fine in a settlement with the New York attorney general's office over a pension fund scheme.
New York's governor says he regrets not informing the victim's family before freeing the man who killed him.
Gov. David A. Paterson commuted the prison sentence Thursday of a man convicted of killing an unarmed teenage boy during a racially charged confrontation, officials said.
A New York state ethics board has fined Gov. David A. Paterson $62,125 for "soliciting, accepting and receiving" five free World Series tickets from the New York Yankees in 2009.
New York Gov. David Paterson has signed an executive order halting the controversial natural gas drilling process called hydraulic fracturing until July 1. The process --- also known as "fracking" -- has come under scrutiny because of its alleged harmful effects on underground drinking water and the environment -- although industry leaders have insisted it's safe.
Activists in Damascus, Pennsylvania are calling for stricter drilling regulations in Pennsylvania and New York.
New York could be the first state in the country to impose a limited ban on a controversial method of drilling for natural gas.
Balancing state budgets these days is tough enough. But more than a dozen governors have promised to do it without raising taxes.
Out with the old, in with the new. The midterms have come and gone, and now the eyes are on the bigger prize -- 2012.
Leaders of the burgeoning Tea Party movement say their projected midterm election victories should send a strong message: watch out in 2012.
New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino urges supporters to continue fighting for the ideals of their campaign.
Here's what you need to know right now as results come in for Tuesday's midterm election:
Harry Truman's only friend in Washington may have been a dog, but that's probably because he didn't have his loved ones scattered throughout the nation's political infrastructure, as many of today's elected officials and candidates do.
With Election Day just hours away, the rhetoric keeps getting more intense, interesting and, shall we say, passionate. Here are some things you might have missed.
As Election Day gets closer, the rhetoric gets more intense, interesting and, shall we say, passionate. Here are some things you might have missed.
New York GOP gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino says homosexuality isn't "equally valid" with heterosexuality.
New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino criticized gays Sunday, saying he didn't want children "to be brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality is an equally valid or successful option," compared to heterosexuality.
New York's GOP gubernatorial candidate defends comments about homosexuality. CNN's Mary Snow reports.
An Orthodox rabbi who endorsed New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino said Wednesday he is withdrawing that endorsement after Paladino apologized for making anti-gay remarks.
Carl Paladino's anti-gay statements at a Brooklyn synagogue Sunday didn't surprise me -- New York's GOP nominee for governor is a gaffe machine constantly on the verge of careening out of control.
Former New York State Comptroller Alan Hevesi pleaded guilty Thursday to a felony corruption charge for his key role in a wide-ranging state pension fund scandal.
Federal authorities had little to say Wednesday about reports New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie was preparing to yank the plug on a multibillion-dollar train tunnel -- partially funded by stimulus dollars -- beneath the Hudson River.
The disgraced ex-governor is about to see if the public will accept him on his new CNN show
New York gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino and Post reporter get into a spat after a question posed by the reporter.
A confrontation Wednesday night between New York gubernatorial hopeful Carl Paladino and a reporter threatened to turn physical.
The New York state senate passed passed an anti-bullying bill Tuesday night to protect all students from discrimination, including that based on gender identity and sexual orientation.
A recent confrontation between New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino and a newspaper columnist illustrates the multimillionaire's brash and unpredictable nature, a political observer said.
Democratic political operatives are excited and filled with enthusiasm over the prospects of running against several Tea Party candidates in November, suggesting the Republican nominees are so extreme and out-of-touch that there is no way they stand a chance of winning in November.
South Carolina Republican Jim DeMint says the GOP "is dead" if it doesn't deliver on promises, if it gains the majority.
Republican Carl Paladino says he can win the left-leaning state's top spot despite his controversial stances on issues.
Carl Paladino is a lot of things -- a multimillionaire businessman, lawyer, family man, devout Catholic and a blunt guy.
New York Republican gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino discusses his stance on specific issues.
CNN's John King explains what the Tea Party is and how it might impact November elections in the U.S.
Tea Party favorites won two primary elections over more mainstream Republicans on Tuesday, demonstrating again the clout of the conservative political movement on the political right.
The 64-campus State University of New York (SUNY) system, one of the largest state systems in the nation, adopted a set of reforms on Tuesday aimed at protecting students from deceptive credit card practices.
New York Gov. David Paterson talks about the controversial proposed Islamic center and mosque near ground zero.
A former aide to New York Gov. David Paterson, whose alleged attack on a former girlfriend led to cover-up allegations against the governor, has been charged with assault, authorities said Thursday.
New York Gov. David Paterson should not face charges involving alleged attempts to cover up domestic violence claims against a former aide, a retired judge appointed to investigate Paterson's actions concluded in a report issued Wednesday.
New York Gov. David Paterson said Monday that he would veto 6,900 budget additions approved earlier in the day by the state legislature.
New York City smokers already pay the highest cigarette taxes in the nation, but a new state law will push those taxes even higher this summer.
State budgets are so squeezed that some governors are threatening to shut down state operations if lawmakers can't address massive spending shortfalls.
Three Republican New York state senators crossed party lines Monday and voted "yes" for a week long budget extension, stopping the threat of a government shut down in the state.
After five months of negotiations, ten emergency budget extensions and a threat of a government shutdown, New York lawmakers were still not close to approving a new budget, Gov. David Paterson's office said Friday.
