State budget talks appear to be stalling, police commander: no-fine stickers date back 17 years, home prices down again, school district worried about backyard wrasslin'
The Three Men in the Room say they're struggling to reach consensus on the state budget. (Of course, it's hard to tell if that's true or not because all the negotiations are going on behind closed doors.) The budget is due April 1. [NYT]
State Senator Hiram Monserrate, a Democrat from Queens, was indicted yesterday on charges that he slashed his girlfriend with a broken glass. Monserrate says he's innocent and will not resign. The Democrats hold a two seat majority in the Senate. [TU][NYT]
Chuck Schumer says he now supports gay marriage. The New York US Senator had been a supporter of civil unions and vote for the federal Defense of Marriage Act (which forbids federal recognition of gay marriages) in 1996. [AP/NYT]
An Albany police commander testified before the Common Council last night that the "bull's eye" no-fine parking stickers date back to 1992 -- and were administered by the Albany Police Officers Union. The head of the APOU at that time: current police chief James Tuffey. [TU]
The median sales price for a home in the Capital Region fell five percent (to $176,000) in February compared to the same period last year, according to the Greater Capital Association of Realtors. [TU]
Eight state senators are pushing for GlobalFoundries to reach an agreement with local unions guaranteeing a certain number of chip fab construction jobs will go to union members. The senators argue that GloFo should make an agreement with the unions because it's gotten substantial public subsidies. [Daily Gazette]
It's looking like the City of Saratoga Springs will return the first bond for South Side Recreation Center funding. The deadline to use the money is March 31 and the project is currently being held up by the state Department of Labor. [Saratogian]
Filings in US Bankruptcy Court in Albany were up 14 percent in February compared to the same period a year ago. [Post-Star]
The state Court of Appeals -- the state's highest court -- will start hearing a case today about whether state police violated the rights of a Watervliet man when they placed a GPS device on the man's car. The man was convicted of burglary in 2007 after the GPS data was used at his trial. [TU] [Troy Record]
Albany County law enforcement agencies wrote $7,000 in tickets to people illegally parked in handicap spots on one day last week. (News to us: Stuyvesant Plaza security can write tickets.) [TU]
The father of Joshua Szostak was on Good Morning American yesterday pushing the idea that his son's death may be connected to a serial killer. Szostak's body was found in the Hudson near Coxsackie in April 2008 after he disappeared in downtown Albany in December of 2007. Police ruled his death an accidental drowning. [ABC] [Troy Record]
The Bethlehem Central Schools District superintendent has sent a letter to parents warning them of a "backyard" wrestling club that's been throwing down on high school property after hours. "This type of behavior is troubling, dangerous, and potentially criminal," the superintendent wrote in the letter. [TU] [Fox23]
Mike McNulty says fatigue from his post-polio condition and the Nancy Pelosi-instituted five-days-a-week House scheduled contributed to his decision to retire from Congress. [TU]
Two guys are hoping to start a locally-focused radio station in downtown Saratoga Springs. [Saratogian]
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Comments
So, GloFo should 'make an agreement with the unions because it's gotten substantial public subsidies'....
What happened to the rest of the folks that pay taxes? They are not also entitled to jobs?
... said komradebob on Mar 24, 2009 at 11:22 AM | link
You're a good egg, Chuck Schumer.
... said B on Mar 24, 2009 at 11:26 AM | link
Re: Smiley Face killings...
That stuff is freaky. I honestly don't know what to believe. There were several aspects of the case that were highly suspicious. On the flip side, Dr. Baden re-examined the case and concurred with local law enforcement. This is just another example of why people shouldn't be out there alone.
*shudder*
... said Summer on Mar 24, 2009 at 12:24 PM | link
It's about time, Chuckie!
... said abby on Mar 24, 2009 at 1:39 PM | link
Wow, the awesome McNulty who everyone seems to love reveals he quit because he didn't like working. Amazing. Who would have ever guessed that a do-nothing Congressman would have a problem with doing work?
... said Ergobot on Mar 25, 2009 at 5:58 AM | link
@Ergobot: Would you like to back that comment up with fact? McNulty did a hell of a lot while he was in Congress and was a good Congressman. He suffered in his last few years because of the pain from medical condition but still kept at it. He worked for the people and was a great man. Not every politician is worthless.
... said Emma on Mar 25, 2009 at 9:27 AM | link