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Legislature begins public hearings on Gov. Cuomo's proposed state budget: Watch live
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The Legislature's fiscal committees begin a series of public hearings this morning on Goveror Andrew Cuomo's 2013-14 proposed state budget.
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![In late September, Senator O'Mara, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and a few of their legislative colleagues visited Mahany Farms in Arkport (Steuben County), where owner Gary Mahany (center, yellow shirt) and his employees grow Irish potatoes. “Cornell University's efforts over the past 70 years to contain the Golden Nematode, and to conduct the research and development that will always be the front line of protection for our growers and growers throughout America, have been remarkable," said Senator O'Mara, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/mahanyfarms_newweb.jpg?itok=RYhzeHvQ)
![Currently quarantined to eight counties in New York State, this potato pest first discovered in New York State in 1941 is so destructive and impossible to eradicate that, not controlled, it can lead to total crop failure.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/goldennematode_newweb.jpg?itok=iKvZsFmU)