All Over Albany

State tax refunds a little slow this year, number of prostitution arrests up, accused horse stabber offered plea deal, clerk pleads guilty to ripping off city, there's a new Miss Limerick

The state Department of Taxation and Finance says state tax refunds have been a little slower to go out this year because it's screening refunds more carefully. [TU]

A deal between David Paterson and the leaders of the legislature is reportedly in the works that would kill the proposed taxes on soda, digital downloads and a bunch of other "fun" transactions. [Daily Politics]

The company that said it would run the racino at Aqueduct has told the state it now can't get financing to pay the contract fee. That means less revenue for the state -- and for less money for NYRA, which uses racino money to prop up racing at Saratoga and the state's other tracks. [NYT] [Saratogian]

Two unnamed sources tell the TU that an Albany police sergeant told Bethlehem cops to back off an APD detective the night the detective is accused of driving drunk from Albany into Delmar. The sergeant has been suspended, though the reason has been made public. [TU]

Apparently the Capital Region is a "fertile" area for prostitution -- and, in part as a result, arrests are up. [TU]

A former Saratoga Springs city clerk pleaded guilty yesterday to stealing more than $44,000 from the city. The woman was caught skimming money from the sale of trash bags after the Commissioner of Public Safety noticed revenue went up when she went on vacation. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian]

In her state of the county speech, Rensselaer County exec Kathleen Jimino said David Paterson's proposed budget could cost the county $4.8 million in funding. A Democrat in the county legislature said Jimino shouldn't blame Paterson, but rather herself. [Troy Record]

One of the investment ratings services has placed AMD on a list of companies most in danger of defaulting on its debt. AMD recently spun-off the company that will own the Luther Forest chip fab -- and its currently the chip fab's only customer. [TU]

In a letter sent out to residents, the Troy School District says it's asked its employees for a wage freeze this year so that it can avoid layoffs. [TU]

Cohoes is getting about $400,000 in federal stimulus money to help it replace the Bridge Ave bridge over the Mohawk. [Troy Record]

The Rensselaer County DA's office has decided to offer the man accused of stabbing a horse a plea deal that includes felony animal cruelty. That charge falls under Buster's Law, the state law that includes more severe penalties for killing a pet. [Troy Record]

The community center run by Albany Common Councilman -- and mayoral candidate -- Corey Ellis is almost out of money after it lost funding during the recent state budget cuts. Ellis and another full time center staffer may lose their jobs. [TU]

Schenectady's Hamilton Hill Arts Center, which offers free classes to the kids in the neighborhood, says it's almost out of money. [Daily Gazette]

The Saratoga Polo Club says it's shortening this summer's season and delaying construction projects because of the economy. [Saratogian]

Albany High School student Samantha Yanni is this year's North Albany Miss Limerick. [TU]