Free Republic

The bill removes penalties for buying and selling sex in many cases. Sex work would be broadly legalized in New York state under a first-of-its-kind bill introduced by state legislators on Monday. A group of lawmakers first called for legislation in February, but on Monday they finally came forward with a 13-page bill that would bring dramatic changes to the sex trade in the state.

State Sen. Ada Smith - the Wild Woman of Albany - was convicted yesterday of throwing coffee at an aide. The Queens Democrat had denied the assault and rejected an offer of a plea deal. She was convicted by Albany City Judge William Carter after a nonjury trial. Smith will not serve jail time, but was required to pay a $250 fine and restitution to be determined by Sept. 29. She was accused of throwing the coffee in the eyes of then-staffer Jennifer Jackson of Albany in March after Jackson made a remark about the senator's attempt to lose weight....

Lawmaker's Wayward E-Mail Refers To Constituents As 'Idiots' POSTED: 10:28 am EDT June 29, 2005 UPDATED: 10:50 am EDT June 29, 2005 POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. -- A New York state lawmaker says he's embarrassed, after he mistakenly sent out an e-mail message that referred to his Assemblyman Willis Stephens says he thought he was sending the e-mail to an aide. Instead, he sent the note to nearly 300 people on an online discussion group that focuses on the community of Brewster. The message included the comment that he was "just watching the idiots pontificate." Within an hour of sending the message...