Special election day, Paterson defends budget, APD chief testifies about ghost tickets, more criticism of Saratoga City Center design
The polls are open until 9 pm today for the special election in the 20th Congressional District. Not sure where to vote? Here's how to find out. Among those who won't be voting: Jim Tedisco -- because he doesn't live in the district. [NYSBoE] [NYT]
The state Legislature will start voting on budget bills today (here's a breakdown of the major provisions). David Paterson defended the budget yesterday, arguing that much of the budget's 8.7 percent increase is made up of federal stimulus money. Others weren't having any of it, calling the budget "reckless," "irresponsible" and "devastating." [TU] [TU] [NYDN] [Biz Review]
Among the local effects of this budget: Saratoga Springs is losing $1.8 million in funding under a new formula for distributing VLT money. [TU] [Post-Star]
Albany police chief James Tuffey and city treasurer Betty Barnette testified under oath in front of the Common Council last night about the ghost ticket scandal. Tuffey said he had known about an earlier sticker distributed by the police union, but he said he didn't know about the newer "bull's eye" stickers that apparently signified a no-fine ticket car. Barnette said she didn't know about the ghost tickets until reading about them in the TU and said the city's parking ticket system won't process no-fine tickets. [TU] [Fox23]
The trial of Jovan Underdue, the man accused of killing three people in a Delaware Ave apartment early last year, started yesterday. [TU]
The Schenectady police officer accused of taking his girlfriend's car without permission is now in line to be fired. He's fourth of his 11 member academy class to face termination. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The extension of IBM's relationship with UAlbany's NanoCollege could create 600 new jobs. Private investment at the campus now totals $4.5 billion. [TU] [Biz Review]
Registration for some of the Albany school district's special program started yesterday morning, but some parents got in line on Sunday to make sure they could get a spot. A district official told the TU the setup is a "natural system." [TU]
A professor emeritus at Skidmore and expert in Saratoga Springs architecture says the design of the City Center expansion is "completely out of harmony" with the surrounding architecture. [TU]
Crime tip: vanity license plates make it easier for people to recognize your car. [TU]
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Comments
My polling place had seven wokers at it! Sundwall can't get on the ballot, but it takes over a half dozen in my sleepy farm town to log 10% of the turnouts from a normal election. Voting in New York State is totally broken.
... said Jeff Stannard on Mar 31, 2009 at 10:51 AM | link
I love vanity plates. When I and 7 other people were almost killed by a guy who decided it would be a great idea to drive on the sidewalk on Lark St last Halloween, the PGFITZ plate he had made things really easy.
... said B on Mar 31, 2009 at 11:10 AM | link
@B: Um, woa. I didn't hear about that! What happened?
... said Summer on Mar 31, 2009 at 12:18 PM | link
I hope Tedisco loses by one vote. Shameful.
... said Katherine on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:13 PM | link
@Summer: they were making fun of my plate!! Hoodlums!
... said -S on Mar 31, 2009 at 1:31 PM | link
Summer, all joking aside, the guy was completely wasted and drove onto the sidewalk, wiping out a lamppost and hitting a telephone pole. Then he drove down Chestnut on the two flat tires and half a wheel he had, you can probably still see the gouge marks in the street. That orange cap near Lark & Lancaster? That's from him.
After talking to the police we met up with -S who made a striking Mr. Clean, and good times were had by all. I was dressed as a Canadian.
... said B on Mar 31, 2009 at 2:59 PM | link