Matthew Hamilton is reporting at Capitol Confidential Gov. Andrew Cuomo and New York City officials announced Tue., Aug. 11, they are drafting uniform regulations to combat Legionnaires’ disease. The statewide regulations will be implemented by the governor using his executive authority. The regulations will mandate timeframes and processes for cooling tower maintenance, include fines for those who don’t comply. A statewide registry of cooling towers will also be established. The regulations are on track to be completed in the next few days. The death toll from the Legionnaires’ outbreak in the city has risen to 12. More than 100 cases have been reported in the South Bronx. Officials have traced the legionella bacteria to cooling towers in more than a dozen buildings. The elderly are especially at risk from this form of pneumonia. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential, a Times Union blog.