Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY - On Thursday, May 20, 2010, Newsday, News 12 and Hofstra University host Renew New York: Looking Forward with New York's Leaders, a panel with New York's elected and civic leaders about the state of our state.  To date, panelists include:  Sen. Dean Skelos, Republican minority leader; and Republican gubernatorial candidates Steve Levy, Suffolk County Executive, and Carl Paladino, a Buffalo businessman; Edward F. Cox, chairman of the New York Republican State Committee, and Jay Jacobs, chairman of the New York Democratic State Committee.

The event will begin at 9:30 a.m. (doors open at 9 a.m.) in the Monroe Lecture Center, South Campus, Hofstra University. Uniondale. The event will be webcast live, and there are limited free seats available to the public (registration required).  Ticket registration can be accessed at the Renew New York website (www.renew-newyork.com).  In addition, the webcast of the event will be streamed online at www.renew-newyork.com, newsday.com or news12.com. 

The event will be moderated by News 12's Jodi Applegate with Newsday editorial board member Robert Keeler. The event will feature the release of a wide-ranging Renew New York poll that surveyed voters about the upcoming election and the state of New York's government, budget and legislative initiatives. Former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi will present the poll results. Princeton Research Survey Associates International, an independent research firm. conducted the Renew New York survey this month.

 "This partnership between Hofstra, Newsday and News 12 provides New York state residents with the resources and tools to explore the issues that concern them most," said Hofstra University President Stuart Rabinowitz.  "Hofstra has a continuing commitment to education and informed decision making and Renew New York allows us to serve our neighbors, our students and the entire state."

"News12 and Newsday are pleased to convene this important forum to engage and educate the public, and bring together candidates, leaders and citizens in this critical time for the future of our state," said Tad Smith, President, Cablevision Local Media

The Renew New York panel and poll are the first of a series of events through the 2010 election.  In September and October, Renew New York will host an issues forum/conference based on the survey findings, a mock constitutional convention for high school students, and a gubernatorial debate. 

The goals of Renew New York are:  (1) to educate New Yorkers about the issues of concern  and allow voters tto make informed decisions going into the 2010 election, (2) to empower citizens to get involved in civic programs and participate in forums about our government and current events.

The partnership, between the region's primary sources for local news and the one of the largest private universities, will bring together elected officials, candidates, journalists, political experts and scholars, to interact with students and members of the public, for interactive forums, events and debates.

About Hofstra University

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 150 undergraduate and more than 160 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business; engineering; communication; education, health and human services;  and honors studies, as well as a School of Law.  The School of Medicine in partnership with North Shore-LIJ Health Systems is scheduled, pending accreditation, to enroll its first class in the fall of 2011. Home to the final presidential debate of 2008, Kalikow Center for the Study of the Presidency and the award-winning Educate '08 civic education series, Hofstra University will launch a year-long program: 75 Years of Pride and Progress, beginning in September 2010. 

About News 12 Networks

News 12 Networks is proud to be a cable exclusive service, currently reaching nearly 3.8  million households in the New York market.  News 12 Networks is the country's first, largest, and most watched 24-hour local television news network.  The Network is made up of 7 individual local news channels serving the areas of Long Island, New Jersey, Southwestern Connecticut, Westchester County, the Hudson Valley, Brooklyn, and the Bronx.  News 12 Networks is owned and operated by Cablevision Systems Corporation. 

About Newsday

Newsday, one of the nation's largest daily newspapers, serves Long Island through its print editions and its hyper-local web site, newsday.com. With 19 Pulitzers and various other journalism awards, Newsday is read by seven out of 10 Long Island adults each week. Newsday is part of Newsday Media Group, which also includes explore LI.com; amNewYork, a widely circulated free daily serving New York City; and Star Community Publishing, the Northeast's largest group of weekly shopper publications.  Newsday is a subsidiary of Cablevision Systems Corporation.  

###