Paterson calls special Senate session, twins die in accident, lottery winner allegedly sold crack, man accused of syruping gas tanks
David Paterson is calling the state Senate into special session this afternoon. Whether anything of actual substance will happen is uncertain, though -- in large part because it's not clear who will be running the chamber. Paterson can set the agenda -- and he's putting up 90 largely uncontroversial bills for consideration (he can't make the senators vote, though). When/if the bills are voted on, Paterson says he'll keep the Senate in session for bills related to "reform, fiscal discipline and also civil rights." One of those bills is probably the same-sex marriage bill, though Paterson didn't say that exactly -- probably because Democrat, and outspoken same-sex marriage opponent, Ruben Diaz has been threatening to switch parties if the bill is brought up. [TU] [NYDN] [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY]
While the Senate drama lurched forward yesterday, the Assembly finished its session. [AP]
Twin teenage brothers died Sunday in Rensselaer County after the ATVs they were driving collided head-on. A teen girl was also seriously injured. The teens were not wearing helmets (the TU story says state law requires helmets, the Gazette story says it does not helmets are required). [TU] [Troy Record] [Daily Gazette]
Police say a Schenectady man stabbed his adult step daughter and her friend after the man got into an argument with his wife at a Father's Day party on Sunday. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Philip Markoff, the UAlbany grad who's accused of being the "Craigslist killer," pleaded not guilty to a handful of charges yesterday in Boston. [AP/TU]
Police say a Schenectady man who won $1 million in the lottery almost three years ago was arrested for selling crack last week -- and apparently he doesn't have money for bail. [Daily Gazette]
A 70-year-old Rensselaer County man has been accused of pouring maple syrup into his neighbors' gas tanks. Police say the man pulled a knife on his neighborhood when confronted about the sticky situation. [Troy Record]
A scuffle after a teen baseball game in Malta last week ended with a player being arrested. It sounds like it was one of the adults who struck out, though. [Saratogian] [TU]
The drinking water in about 300 Ballston Spa homes has turned a nasty brown color -- and officials aren't sure why. Some of the village's supply lines are more than 100 years old. [Saratogian]
The Queen of the Netherlands could be coming to Albany for the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's trip up the Hudson. [TU]
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Bottles once told me on the bridge over The Star, "Schaghticoke was founded in 1686 by a group of renegades and that's what's still here today". Crobok is a shining example of this adage.
... said Jeff Stannard on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:13 AM | link
The TU article cited for the Schaghticoke tragedy clearly indicates that state law DOES require use of helmets by both drivers and passengers.
Editors: Thanks for catching that -- we've noted that the two stories conflict.
... said Bob F. on Jun 23, 2009 at 10:41 AM | link
Lottery winners are broke already? Just goes to show you that money can't buy brains.
... said Jon (was) in Michigan on Jun 23, 2009 at 12:03 PM | link
What happens if the Gov calls the senate to session and they don't get quorum? Does the Gov get to send the State Police out to retrieve them? Does he get to run the session? Do they just vote with whomever shows up?
What if the gov just waits until a few republican senators are off on a 'field trip' and calls a special session...
So many underhanded tricks, so little time...
... said komradebob on Jun 23, 2009 at 12:27 PM | link
@Bob F: It looks like the TU story is correct. Here's the info sheet from the NYS DMV and the rule...
"Whether you are the operator or passenger, you must wear a USDOT-approved helmet when riding an ATV."
... said Greg on Jun 23, 2009 at 12:34 PM | link
OMG!!! Queen Beatrix?! She is the bee's knees people! I really hope she comes to Albany. I will be there decked out in the queen's orange. Hey, maybe Jennings is just keeping a year-long homage to the heritage of Albany. Mystery solved!
... said KatherineSass on Jun 23, 2009 at 1:14 PM | link