State Senate break reportedly near, Biden coming to area, layoffs at the TU, mouthwash defense surfaces, liquor license denied because of Salvation Army
It's now been a month since the state Senate upheaval started. The two sides are reportedly nearing some sort of resolution. The Democrats known as "The Three Amigos" (that includes Pedro Espada, who's sided with the Republicans) are threatening to do something (it's not clear what) if there isn't a deal by Thursday. Two of the Amigos plus another senator walked out of the Dems' session yesterday -- and apparently other rank-and-file members are feeling "frisky." [Daily Politics] [PolitickerNY] [TU] [AP/Troy Record]
It does seem like something is up -- David Paterson has requested statewide TV time for 5 pm this evening. That's prompted speculation that he might try to dislodge the situation by appointing a lieutenant governor (which would, in turn, probably set off legal throwdown). [Daily Politics] [TU]
If it's any consolation, the senators' pay has been stopped. [NYDN]
Joe Biden will be in Clifton Park tomorrow to tout the federal stimulus effort. He'll be speaking at Shenendehowa High School. This will be the first Vice Presidential visit to the area since 2000. [TU] [WTEN] [Daily Gazette]
Saratoga Springs city council voted 3-2 to close the city's budget gap with $1.3 million in cuts and $1.5 million in reserves. Only one job was eliminated. At least one council member is warning the budget measures will mean much higher taxes next year. [Saratogian] [Post-Star] [TU]
The possibility of the mouthwash defense has surfaced in the case of the Albany County judge who's been accused of "driving while ability impaired." (Earlier on AOA: Blame the Listerine?)
If GlobalFoundries doesn't meet a series of employment targets at the Luther Forest chip fab, the state could hold back promised funding. GloFo says grounding breaking on the project is scheduled for July 24. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The Times Union began laying off full-time workers yesterday -- 15 cuts were made, including seven newsroom jobs 11 newsroom jobs. The guild that reps many of the paper's workers says the company went about making the cuts illegally. More layoffs are apparently still ahead. [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Albany Guild] [Biz Review]
The State Liquor Authority has denied a request for license for a new bar on River Street in Troy because the SLA says the location is too close to the Salvation Army, which apparently qualifies as a church. One thing: the bar is planned for the strip that already includes Browns, Ryan's Wake and Jose Malone's. [Troy Record]
The first texting-while-driving ticket has been issued in Schenectady County. [Daily Gazette]
There's a new hardware store planned for downtown Troy. The store will go into the old Stanley's Department Store space on Third Street. The owners have already redeveloped the upper floors into apartments. [Troy Record] [TU] [Biz Review]
It looks like the second phase of the Harmony Mills loft conversion in Cohoes is moving forward. The project will more than double the number of apartments and add a swimming pool. [Biz Review]
Albany County law enforcement will be cracking down on people who illegally park in handicap spots at Stuyvesant Plaza and Crossgates. [TU]
The ruler of Dubai got the zoning change he was looking for at his horse farm in Saratoga. [Post-Star]
RPI is testing a "very loud" siren today. [Troy Record]
The Capital Region's traffic isn't that bad. [TU]
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Comments
The Liquor Authority can be such a pain in the ass when you're trying to obtain a license. Perhaps rightfully so, but sheesh.
... said Summer on Jul 8, 2009 at 2:27 PM | link