Proposed tax increases for City of Albany and Schenectady County, proposals for Harriman development, crystal balls at ESP trouble some, the Knicks drink coffee in Saratoga
Jerry Jennings' proposed 2009 budget for the City of Albany includes a 4.9 percent tax increase. (That's a projected $100 increase for the owner of a "average" home.) The almost $161 million budget is actually smaller than last year's by about $1 million. Among the cuts this year: 20 firefighter and 10 police jobs will be left vacant. [TU]
In Troy, Harry Tutunjian's proposed budget is four percent bigger than last year's, but it doesn't include a tax increase. The plan aims use to reserves and state aid to cover the increase. [Troy Record]
Schenectady County's proposed budget for 2009 includes a 13 percent tax increase. The county manager, a Democrat, says the cost of state mandates is forcing the hike. County Republicans say the majority Democrats have mismanaged the county's finances through their "out-of-control patronage and liberal programs." [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Banks with local branches say they're in pretty good shape, despite the ongoing banking/Wall Street meltdown. They credit their stability to not being involved with shaky subprime mortgages. [TU] [Saratogian]
The union for Troy's firefighters says it's still upset that RPI won't talk with them about a public safety fee. The school says it's happy to talk -- with the city. The deputy mayor says the union should leave negotiating to the city. [Troy Record]
Two proposals have been submitted for the re-development of the Harriman State Office Campus. It looks like the public won't get any details about them until November, though. [Biz Review]
Cops say lights from a marijuana growing operation set a house on fire in Rotterdam yesterday. Seven people are now without a house. [Daily Gazette]
A "psychic fair" planned for the ESP's concourse later this month is getting criticism from religious groups. They say they're troubled by the "Satanic element" of the fair. [Daily Gazette]
The Knicks are in Saratoga for training camp -- and they're buying coffee. [CapNews9]
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Comments
Nice of the religious folk to equate their variety of crackpottery with the psychics'.
But maybe this Rev. McGuire makes a good point. Make churches put a "For Entertainment Purposes Only" disclaimer on the bottom of their signs and see how well that flies.
... said James Cronen on Oct 2, 2008 at 11:13 AM | link
I think this could be included in morning blend, because it has to do with today... Are there any Albany neighborhood bars that will be showing the debate tonight (with sound)?
... said J. Stefano on Oct 2, 2008 at 12:22 PM | link
J,
A friend tells me that Albany For Obama is hosting a viewing party tonight (starting around 8:30) at Jillian's.
... said Amanda on Oct 2, 2008 at 2:49 PM | link
I follow a sound economic policy of my own. It's called not spending more than I make.
... said linder on Oct 2, 2008 at 4:19 PM | link