Capitol Confidential ? A.M. Roundup: Batra turns up heat on JCOPE

Good morning! More heat and humidity today with scattered showers and storms, but expect pleasant weather to make its return along with Jimmy on Monday. Here are the morning?s headlines.

Ravi Batra is threatening to quit the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, saying that proposed retroactive disclosure rules don?t go back far enough. YNN reports that Cuomo said that he was ?proud? of the new rules, but that ?we tend to frown upon retroactive laws.? (DN / YNN)

Questions remain about the health dangers of soot released from the massive chemical that burned in Ghent yesterday. Cuomo has outlined the state?s response. (TU / NYSNYS)

Editorial: The TU editorial board calls for greater transparency from the Cuomo administration. (TU)

Carl Paladino is sparring with Albany County GOP Chairman Don Clarey over Paladino?s criticism of Deputy Senate Majority Leader Tom Libous. (YNN)

Nursing homes run by cash-strapped counties across the state are facing a potential funding crisis. (WXXI)

The Cuomo administration has threatened to redirect nearly $50 million meant for transportation projects within the Seneca nation, just as the tribe begins construction on its $130 million casino in Buffalo. (BN)

The Senate Finance Committee met briefly in Washington to extend tax cuts which will continue continue Alternative Minimum Tax relief and mass transit deductions for New Yorkers. (Press Connects)

A Queens Assembly candidate says he won?t sue the New York Post for defamation and libel. (Politicker)

GOP leaders are scoffing at Malcolm Smith?s potential bid to run for NYC mayor as Republican. (NYP)

Following multiple lawsuits again head shops by Attorney General Eric Schneidermann, Gov. Cuomo is looking to push legislation that will crack down harder on bath salts and other synthetic drugs. (DN)

At the dedication of a Batavia yogurt factory, Cuomo announced that a ?Yogurt Summit? would come to Albany on August 15. (D&C)

Candidates for the state legislature are scrambling to oppose Cuomo?s special education veto. (Politicker)

Local endorsements: The League of Conservation Voters is backing Grisanti and Breslin. Public safety unions announced they are backing Democrat Shawn Morse. (YNN/Record)

Internal polls show Democrat Bill Owens is leading the race for his North Country congressional district by double digit margins. (Press Republican)

Another Democratic poll gives Rep. Nan Hayworth a slight edge of Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney. (Politicker)

Cuomo?s role at the Democratic National Convention next month will be an inconspicuous one: he?ll only be around for the last day, and won?t be speaking. (WSJ)

A bill signed by Cuomo will require sex offenders to have their picture taken once every 90 days, instead of every year. (NYP)

A few national headlines:

Three plans ? two taking off and one landing ? came dangerously close to one another at Washington?s Reagan National Airport. (WP)

Just 47 people account for 57.1 percent of the total money raised by individuals for super PACS. (WP)

The U.S. added 163,000 jobs in July, but the jobless rate increased to 8.3%. (NYT)

Source: http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/142991/a-m-roundup-batra-turns-up-heat-on-jcope/

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