All Over Albany

State Senate gets back to work, Biden in Clifton Park, Salvation Army says it didn't blow the whistle, chip fab has 20 year lifespan, good year for apples

The state Senate, with Pedro Espada caucusing with the Democrats, had a real session last night -- 135 bills were passed. The session was not without drama. Republicans held things up for about two hours because they said Democrats weren't supporting agreed-upon reforms -- Dean Skelos called Democrats "a bunch of phonies." The session got back on track shortly before midnight when both sides announced they had agreed to "a framework" for reform. [Biz Review] [TU] [AP/Daily Gazette] [Daily Politics]

The session also included Espada's installation as majority leader, though it wasn't by a vote because apparently some of the Democrats refused to directly vote for him. [Daily Politics]

David Paterson's appointment of Richard Ravitch to lieutenant governor is basically on hold until the courts review it. The first hearing is today. [TU]

Joe Biden touted the Obama Administration's stimulus program yesterday during his speech to about 600 people in Clifton Park. The VP announced that New York was getting another $275 million for unemployment insurance. And he said 6,800 jobs would be coming to the state. Among Biden's comments: he would never take the job of Mayor of Albany because it's too hard. (video from the event) [Post-Star] [Troy Record] [TU] [Daily Gazette] [Post-Star]

The Salvation Army says it "did not voice any public concern" about the opening of a new bar across the street from its River Street location in Troy. The bar's application for a liquor license was spiked by the state because the bar is less than 200 feet from the Salvo. [Troy Record]

The former CEO of Saratoga Springs web startup Wurld Media was sentenced to one to three years in prison yesterday. He had been convicted of stealing $32k from the failed company. Prosecutors alleged that he had used some of the money to pay legal bills related to his defense on other charges related to the company's failure. [Daily Gazette] [Saratogian] [TU]

The Troy City Council voted in favor of the creation of a downtown business improvement district. The BID now just needs an OK from the state. [Troy Record] [TU]

One thing about the new chief city auditor position in Albany: no one knows how much the job pays. [TU]

The head of the construction company building the Luther Forest chip fab says the life of such a facility is usually only about 20 years. [TU]

State Police say a man drove the wrong way down the Northway in Clifton Park Wednesday night before crashing into oncoming traffic. [TU]

Police gave out 38 tickets during the sweep of handicap parking space violations at Crossgates and Stuyvesant Plaza. [Troy Record]

This year is shaping up to be a good year for the local apple crop. [Daily Gazette]

The public Million Dollar Beach on Lake George is re-opening today after being closed because of a sewage spill. The other public beach on the south shore, Shepard Beach, could be closed until next week. [TU] [Daily Gazette]