2014 New York primary election: Andrew Cuomo, running mate prevail in New York

http://www.politico.com/story/2014/09/2014-new-york-primary-election-andrew-cuomo-running-mate-prevail-in-new-york-110795.html

This article discusses Andrew Cuomo and running mate Kathy Hochul's current lead in the Democratic primaries, against their opponent Zephyr Teachout and Timothy Wu. They have strong support against these candidates, but are also more vulnerable to criticism. Cuomo in particular has been criticized for being too moderate and having a spotty relationship with anti-corruption. Meanwhile, Rob Astorino, the Republican candidate, has been predicted to lose to Cuomo, who has so much more support. Even other Republicans, such as Governor Chris Christie, acknowledge Astorino's disadvantages in the race.

At Cuomo Campaign Rallies, a Focus on Women’s Issues

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/05/nyregion/at-cuomo-campaign-rallies-a-focus-on-womens-issues.html?ref=politics&_r=0
This article reveals Cuomo's plans to expand women's rights, including fighting for equality and pro-choice policies. This is a stark contrast to the views held by Republican candidate, Rob Astorino, who  opposes abortion rights. Cuomo is also working to pass the Women's Equality Act, which wasn't passed by the NY legislature the last time he introduced it.
I feel that women's rights are a major issue in elections nowadays. In this election, there really isn't any middle ground. Either the candidate is very liberal in regards to women's rights such as abortion rights, or the candidate is very conservative, such as Astorino displayed.

DiNapoli Announces Lowered Fees for New York State's 529 College Savings Direct Plan

http://news.hamlethub.com/ryebrook/politics/1495-dinapoli-announces-lowered-fees-for-new-york-state-s-529-college-savings-direct-plan On October 6th, New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli announced that he will be reducing the fees for the state 529 College Savings Program's Direct Plan. New York’s 529 College Savings Program helps parents of college students pay for their tuition. In the past five years, the program has received its fourth fee reduction and reports that more than 650,000 accounts are valued at more than 16 billion dollars. With the price tag for college education increasing at a gradual rate, parents can rest assured that they may be able to pay for their child's college, setting them off to the work-force without mounds of debt on their back.

With focus on Buffalo, Gov. Cuomo turns traditional New York campaign upside down

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/gov-cuomo-focuses-buffalo-struggling-economy-voters-question-intentions-article-1.1963655

         It seems Andrew Cuomo has learned another tactic on how to win this year's gubernatorial election after losing in western New York in the 2010 election- and that's by focusing on Buffalo. Despite being beaten by a Buffalo businessman in his prior attempt, Cuomo claims that Buffalo was the part of New York which required the most attention and therefore the most resources and focus. In fact, since he took office in 2011, unemployment has dropped from 8.5% to 6.4%. Not to mention the private-sector developments in Buffalo have surmassed $4.5 billion over the past two years. He hopes to open $1 billion in order to spur more economic development in western New York. Nonetheless, Cuomo has to think twice if he believes that this will guarantee him a landslide victory against Astorino, who believes that the SAFE Act will negatively affect Cuomo's voters.

Opposition of Cuomo's Gun Control Laws is noticed

In the wake of the Newtown school shooting, Governor Cuomo passed the toughest gun control law in the nation. However, this law has gotten many people in upstate NY angry and the law seems to be a key issue upstate. Despite this, most New Yorkers approve of Cuomo's gun control law and Cuomo considers it a great achievement. The people who oppose the act are very active but they are few in number. Although they vow to vote against Cuomo on Election Day, I don't think it will have a huge effect on his lead over Republican candidate Rob Astorino.

http://www.newsday.com/news/region-state/safe-act-gun-control-law-a-key-issue-upstate-in-governor-s-race-1.9469736

Cuomo mandates for SUNY to fix their rules regarding sexual assault

This past Thursday, Governor Cuomo gave a press conference in Manhattan in which he said SUNY has 60 days to change their rules regarding sexual assault on campus. He has mandated that they must work at preventing, investigating, and prosecuting the cases. Cuomo hopes that by doing so, eventually there will be a statewide law regulating sexual assault policies in both state and private universities. Currently, most SUNY schools have policies of affirmative consent but in varying degrees. Consent is when both parties must agree to each act, and they must be in the right health to make the judgement. I think this is a major step forward for New York State to stand up with victims of sexual assault cases. With this change to the policies, victims can now go to police and campus security to report the assault, even if the victim was drinking and is underage. I believe that this change will help re-elect Governor Cuomo in the November elections because it stands out to parents and young voters as an approach in the right direction for NY.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/03/nyregion/cuomo-orders-suny-to-overhaul-its-sexual-assault-rules.html?_r=0

NRA not giving Astorino campaign money despite anger at Cuomo's NY Safe Act

Governor Cuomo is ahead of his opponent Rob Astorino in the polls by 29 points. This wide margin is what is preventing conservative groups who support him from donating a lot or any money. Governor Cuomo supports the safe act, which puts more restrictions on guns. This of course is not very popular with more conservative voters but New York is a very liberal state so the chance of Rob Astorino winning is very small. The other problem is that Astorino has not been able to raise the same amount of money as Cuomo so funding from outside groups is necessary. Therefore conservative groups like the NRA are wise not to invest money in a failed campaign. They’re money is best invested, as they are doing, in closer races where the chances of putting a candidate with their ideals in office.

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/10/astorino_fails_to_cash_in_on_ny_safe_act_in_race_against_cuomo.html