Paterson under fire from every direction, Gillibrand says guns no longer under her bed, job cuts at GE Research, Rensselaer waterfront developer says if they come -- they will build it
David Paterson is catching criticism from what seems like every direction right now. State worker unions are wailing at the news that many aides in the Paterson administration have gotten pay raises since last summer's hiring freeze and spending cuts. The proposed "iTax" on digital downloads is being criticized by conservatives because it potentially could tax pornography downloads (they say taxing it legitimizes it). And in response to the barrage of TV ads criticizing his proposed healthcare cuts, Paterson said this past weekend: "I don't care how many blind people in wheelchairs you roll out. I'm going to get this budget balanced and I'm going to get it balanced by April 1." [NYP] [NYDN] [AP/TU] [Newsday]
A spokesperson for Kirsten Gillibrand says the senator has moved the guns out from underneath her bed now that everyone knows that's where she stored them (because, you know, she told everyone). Also: Gillibrand says her mom has eight guns. [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [AP/Troy Record]
Chuck Schumer endorsed Scott Murphy yesterday in the race to fill Gillibrand's former House seat. He and Murphy also made pretzels. [Saratogian]
Roy McDonald (the guy who replaced Joe Bruno in the state Senate) says Saratoga County's share of money from a state road maintenance fund could be cut more than 25 percent in the next state budget. Saratoga County got more than $2 million from the fund last year (as did Albany County). [Saratogian] [NYDOT]
The developer behind the proposed $300 million Rensselaer waterfront mixed-use redevelopment says the project will move forward -- if it can line up tenants for the project's first building. [TU]
The GE Global Research Center in Niskayuna has cut 20 positions as part of a "realignment" of the company's business portfolio. [TU]
State police say it may take weeks to identify the body of the driver from a crash on Rt 20 in Columbia County over the weekend. The body was so badly burned that investigators have to wait for DNA evidence. [TU] [Troy Record]
The trial of the two people accused of a stealing a safe containing hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash and over valuables from the Port of Albany starts today. And get this: one of the key prosecution witnesses is the mother of one of the key witnesses from the Kathina Thomas trial. And the case's investigator is currently on leave after being charged with drunken driving. [TU]
Saratoga Springs is reviewing three bids for EMS in the city. The current operator is a non-profit that doesn't pay the city any fees. Two private companies are offering the city as much as $300,000 a year for the contract. [Daily Gazette]
HVCC is planning to break ground this summer on a new building at Luther Forest that will house training programs for chip fab and alternative energy skills. [Daily Gazette]
Researchers at Albany NanoTech were able to get a $2,000 film for just $15 by going to a printer in downtown Albany. [TU]
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KG's guns will be setting up a Twitter so everyone can keep up with their goings-on.
... said steve-o on Feb 17, 2009 at 10:30 AM | link
"Mayor Corning as a father figure who taught the Noonan kids how to hunt, fish and enjoy outdoor pursuits." That is a quote from Paul Grondahl in Newsday. So it seems that Senator Corning keeps the flame alive.. used to be under the bed. but now in a locked gun cabinet... we hope.
... said hrgreen on Feb 17, 2009 at 10:49 AM | link