State Senate frozen with no end in sight, local orgs lack pandemic plans, abandoned high-end homes in Saratoga, DEC hoping for hot turtle action
The state Senate is basically frozen right now. Yesterday a judge dismissed the Democrats' suit seeking to void last week's takeover by the Republicans + Pedro Espada. The Republicans claimed victory and tried to go into session -- but with only 31 senators present, they couldn't form a quorum. [NYT] [Daily Politics]
David Paterson again called on the Senate to work out some sort of power sharing deal, perhaps bringing someone such as former chief judge Judith Kaye to preside over the chamber. He also said the line of succession to the governorship is in dispute. [TU]
If the state Senate ever does back into session, Espada is arguing that he should have two votes -- his regular vote plus one as acting lieutenant governor. Apparently there's no precedent for that, though. [NYP]
By the way: the Assembly has been working while all this has been going on. [Daily Politics]
The Schenectady schools budget was voted down again. District officials say they'll now have to adopt a contingency budget that includes a 15 percent increase in the tax levy -- though that might conflict with the state Education Department's rules. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A report from a DC-based think tank concludes that the Capital Region's economy has actually done OK lately. [TU]
A handful of high-end homes -- worth more than $500k -- have been abandoned in Saratoga. [Post-Star]
State police say autopsies indicate the three people in the Mohawk plane crash died of drowning -- not trauma from the crash. [Troy Record]
Some local companies and orgs do have pandemic plans -- but many do not, including the City of Schenectady. [Daily Gazette]
State park police say they arrested 34 people and ticketed a bunch more during last weekend's two Dave Matthews Band shows at SPAC. Among the nabbed: a Cohoes guy named... David Matthews. [TU] [Saratogian] [Post-Star]
The City of Troy is looking to sell the Uncle Sam Parking Garage at Fulton and Third (map). [Troy Record]
The DEC is hoping a group of endangered turtles it's released at Five Rivers will settle down and start turtle families. [TU]
An American flag from a classroom in Saratoga Springs High School will be on the next space shuttle launched (it was scheduled to go up today, but was delayed). [Post-Star]
Basketball star Taran Buie -- who helped Bishop Maginn win the 2008 state title -- has announced he's transferring to a high school in State College, Pennsylvania. Buie is one of the nation's highest-rated high school players. He's already committed to Penn State, where his brother, Talor Battle, plays. [TU] [ESPN] [NYT]
The newest member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution: 98-year-old Bertha Gordinier of Malta. [Daily Gazette]
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I just cannot believe the audacity of Espada. When will enough be enough?! Why won't anybody DO SOMETHING?
Side note: Monserrate and Espada both enjoyed some cushy seats at the Mets/Yankees subway series this weekend.
... said Summer on Jun 17, 2009 at 1:10 PM | link
@Summer - I agree completely. It's all about money & power. It shouldn't surprise me, but it does frustrate me!
... said Kari on Jun 17, 2009 at 2:06 PM | link