links for 2011-02-09

• 25th Congressional District makes top 10 list of competitive races
  Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle has only been on the job as the representative for the 25th Congressional District for about a month, but already, political experts say she should be looking ahead.
• Some Lawmakers Worried Higher Ed Cuts Could Cause Tuition Hikes
  Supporters of SUNY and CUNY are that the schools are economic engines that will help grow the economy if they aren’t forced to make staggering cuts. They also take issue with Cuomo’s call on the schools to use public-private partnerships, arguing it could lead to tuition prices many New Yorker’s wouldn’t be able to afford.
• Cable TV thief going to prison
  A 50-year-old Auburn man was sentenced to two to four years in prison for stealing Time Warner Cable services, including adult pay-per-view movies.
• As Eastern snow melts, it's leaving an ugly mess
  The mountains of snow that have covered the Northeastern landscape for the past month and a half are finally melting, revealing oozing lumps of garbage, gaping potholes, bicycles, rat-infested sofas, discarded Christmas trees – even bodies.
• House rejects extensions of Patriot Act provisions
  The House on Tuesday failed to extend the life of three surveillance tools that are key to the nation’s post-Sept. 11 anti-terror law, a slipup for the new Republican leadership that miscalculated the level of opposition.
• The New Dean of the Republican Senate Tries to Keep His Majority Safe, and Maybe Even Make It Grow
  On Monday afternoon, inside his office on the third floor of the State Capitol, the Republican Senate Majority Leader, Dean Skelos, sat in a high-backed red leather chair and talked about the strangeness of being allied, at least in theory, with the Democratic Governor, Andrew Cuomo.
• As states deal with budget deficits, governors may find firing unionized government workers isn't easy
  Contracts, state laws and previous court cases will also limit officials' ability to alter pensions. Efforts to furlough are likely to trigger court battles.

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