Politicking in Albany, for a Day and a Year. After Governor Pataki delivered his final State of the State address, those who hope to succeed him as governor began talking. By JENNIFER MEDINA.

Addressing an Audience Beyond New York, Like Farmers in Iowa. There was plenty in Governor Pataki's last official address to suggest that he was speaking, at least in part, to people outside of New York. By MICHAEL COOPER.

Pataki Stresses Tax Cuts in Address Reprising Early Themes. In his final State of the State speech, Gov. George E. Pataki tried to recapture some of what got him elected nearly 12 years ago. By DANNY HAKIM.

A Corzine Pick Wins the Praise of Reformers. Governor-elect Jon S. Corzine nominated New Jersey's child advocate, Kevin M. Ryan, to run the state's Department of Human Services. By TINA KELLEY.

Councilman Plans to Challenge Veteran Brooklyn Congressman. City Councilman Charles Barron of Brooklyn said he would challenge U.S. Representative Edolphus Towns, a 24-year incumbent, in this year's Democratic primary. By JONATHAN P. HICKS.

Candidates for State Office Make Their Bid for Conservative Party Support. The annual conference of the New York's Conservative Party drew a bevy of candidates well aware that no Republican has captured a statewide office in New York without Conservative backing in 30 years. By JENNIFER MEDINA.