Both of NY's top lawmakers look to shore up upstate creds

Both of New York's new legislative leaders are going on upstate political tours to get their names out, to salve some critics, and to build their parties.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) has touched down in Watertown, Syracuse and Binghamton as part of his effort to visit every county and show the Assembly, though dominated by New York City members, cares about upstate.

Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan (R-East Northport) has had fewer public events but swung through Jamestown, Buffalo and Cooperstown. Flanagan talked pro-gun proposals at the last stop. The senator, who edged a Syracuse Republican in an internal leadership battle in May, had faced skepticism from some upstate GOP supporters of gun rights.