Year in Review: Politics in 2009

Story Created: Dec 30, 2009 at 6:52 AM EST

Story Updated: Dec 31, 2010 at 1:18 AM EST

(WKTV) - The political scene both on the national and state front gave us plenty to talk about in 2009. Everything from an historic inauguration to an action-packed state legislature. Here's a look back at some of the big political stories of '09.

On a cold, Sunny January day, the nation watched the first African American be sworn into office as the 44th President of the United States. Among those in the crowd watching Barack Obama take his oath were several local students. Gabrielle Johnson from New Hartford received an invite to both the ceremony and an inaugural ball. A group of kids from Westmoreland High School also trekked to the nation's capital to watch Obama take his oath. Talk about living history.

Hillary Clinton went from New York's Senator to Secretary of State. Governor David Paterson nominated Congresswoman Kirsten Gillibrand to temporarily fill the seat. She plans to seek the position again next year.

Scandal rocked Albany when former Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno was indicted on corruption charges. A jury found him guilty on two counts of fraud in December. He was cleared of the other charges. Bruno is set to be sentenced in March.

Chaos erupted in the State Senate during the summer months, when two Democrats went rogue and aligned themselves with Republicans. It tipped the balance back in favor of the Republicans, angering the Democrats. It took months of worthless sessions and political grandstanding before the two Democrats who started the whole mess went back to their party.

"Your lying to me. Just because I don't have sophisticated language, I can recognize a liar when I see one." With those words, Don Jeror and his fellow tea partiers became part of a national campaign to protest government spending. Jeror aimed those words at House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer during a news conference in Utica about high speed rails. His protest, along with many others, made national headlines.

The death of former Utica Mayor Ed Hanna made local headlines in March. He passed away at the age of 86. He was a two-term mayor, a World War II veteran and a character the city of Utica will never forget.
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