Special state Senate session a disaster, landfill expansion could be approved soon, home prices holding steady, new music venue for Saratoga
Yesterday's special state Senate session was a mess. Among the absurdities: Democrats entered the chamber early in some sort of attempt to call "first!"; each side held its own concurrent session (with their own gavels) and tried to call the other out of order; no one knows if any of the voted-on bills were legally passed. [TU] [Daily Politics] [CapCon] [NYDN] [NYT]
David Paterson has called the Senate back for another session today -- with the same-sex marriage bill on the agenda. The inclusion of that bill could prompt Democrat Ruben Diaz Sr. to switch allegiance to the Republicans, giving them a majority. [Daily Politics]
Jerry Jennings' chief aide says the city's application to expand the Rapp Road landfill could be approved by the DEC as early as this week. At its current size, the landfill is projected to be full later this year -- six years ahead of schedule. Common Councilman -- and mayoral candidate -- Corey Ellis called for "a comprehensive audit of the Rapp Road landfill by a truly independent body" yesterday. [TU] [Ellis press release]
The median price for homes in the Capital Region more or less held steady last month compared to the same period last year -- though the number of transactions was down. Median prices were up in Schenectady County, flat in Albany County and down in Rensselaer and Saratoga counties. Homes priced under $200k are apparently selling well. [Daily Gazette] [GCAR/Post-Star] [TU]
Two shootings last night in Albany: a 16-year-old was shot in the back at Henry Johnson and Clinton; and a man was shot in the leg at First and Lexington. [CapNews9] [TU]
There were also two shootings in Schenectady -- police are trying to figure out if they're linked. [TU]
The Schenectady School Board extended the contracts of district superintendent Eric Ely and many other district officials last night -- without public comment. That didn't go over well with the crowd at the meeting, which expressed frustration about the district's budget increases and the Steven Raucci case. [Daily Gazette] [TU]
Schenectady is trying to fire two more of its cops. [Daily Gazette]
It looks like the teen baseball player arrested after a post-game fight last week will have the arrest cleared. "We certainly have better things to do than umpiring baseball games," Saratoga Count DA James Murphy told the Gazette. [Saratogian] [Daily Gazette]
Recession or not, a bunch of Saratoga Springs businesses are opening or expanding. Among them: a new music venue. [Post-Star] [Post-Star]
Siahr Siddiqi -- who, along with his family, fled Afghanistan in 2001 with only what he could carry -- will graduate from Albany High School Sunday. [TU]
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When the State Senate is down to calling "SHOTGUN," it's time to call a mulligan and start over.
I almost wish that we could recall these idiots and start over. Not allow any of these jerks to run again either.
... said aj on Jun 24, 2009 at 1:20 PM | link
Ooooh, a mid-size venue in Saratoga sounds excellent! Hopefully with the right promotion it will attract the just-off-the-radar NATIONAL indie bands that our area sorely lacks.
National. indie. national indie. national.... national... national... indie. Please do not give me the speech about how Albany has the best indie scene this side of Austin.
... said Paul on Jun 24, 2009 at 3:26 PM | link
When I read the line, "Democrats entered the chamber early in some sort of attempt to call 'first!'" I seriously laughed really loudly. At the office.
... said Summer on Jun 24, 2009 at 4:18 PM | link