New York Now with Susan Arbetter

There are several members of Congress from the Empire State retiring before 2009, so we here at New York Now decided to talk with one: Rep. James Walsh of Syracuse. Walsh was elected to office the year before the FIRST Iraq War (remember Desert Shield and Desert Storm?), and is now retiring after saying he made a mistake voting for the SECOND Iraq War.

We also talk about President Clinton's "peccadilloes" (his word), how public opinion regarding Clinton compares with public opinion regarding George W. Bush, and what Walsh will be doing post-retirement.

Plus, a conversation with one of the people trying to make government more efficient: John Clarkson. He's the Executive Director of the new (formed under Spitzer) Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness. He wants to trim-down government at the local level, but not everyone is thrilled with the idea.

It’s coming up this weekend, July 4 - 6 on your local PBS station.

Air times for New York Now:

WNET, New York City
Saturday at 1pm

WMHT Capital Region
Friday at 7:30pm
Sunday at 11am
Sunday at 11pm

WNED, Buffalo & Toronto
Sunday at 9:30am

WXXI, Rochester
Sunday at 6:30pm

WCNY, Syracuse
Sunday at 1pm

WPBS, Watertown
Sunday at 7:30am

WSKG, Binghamton
Sunday at 6:30pm

WLIW, Long Island
Sunday at 6:30am

Mountain Lake Public Broadcasting, Plattsburgh
Saturday at 9:30am

Think Bright
Friday at 8pm
Sunday at 12:30am

Join Susan Arbetter as we hear from politicians, civil servants, journalists and men and women at popular spots statewide as they examine the news of the week coming from the State Capital.