All Over Albany

Porco appeal focuses on nod, state budget gap deal could be close, job cuts at Skidmore, police say 11-year-old called 911 on alleged robbers, CDTA bus bursts into flames

The judges hearing Christopher Porco's appeal in a Brooklyn state appellate court yesterday focused on the admissibility of the nod that detectives say Joan Porco made indicating Christopher was responsible for the attack. Joan Porco says she has no memory of the crime -- and the defense argued that prevented Christopher from being able to confront his accuser. The prosecution argued that the defense just missed its chance to have Joan Porco testify that she didn't remember. Christopher Porco is currently serving 50 years in state prison for the murder of his father and attempted murder of his mother. [TU] [Fox23] [CapNews9] [Troy Record]

A deal to close the state budget gap could be near. Or not. Members of the legislature indicated last night that they had put together a plan to cut $2.8 billion (from the $3+ billion gap), which borrows almost $400 million federal education aid from next year for this year's budget. David Paterson said that wasn't good enough -- and announced that he would move to withhold payments to local governments in order to keep the state solvent. [TU] [NYDN] [Daily Politics] [NYT]

Joe Bruno Trial: still no verdict. The jury heard read backs of testimony from two witnesses yesterday, which could be helpful to Bruno. [TU] [Troy Record] [NYT]

Skidmore says it could eliminate as many as 70 jobs as it tries to cover a $12.6 million gap in next year's budget (about 8 percent). [TU] [Post-Star] [Saratogian]

The board overseeing redevelopment of the Harriman State Office Campus announced yesterday that Columbia Development has been picked to develop the site. Officials with Columbia have close ties to Jerry Jennings, which prompted a competing developer to accuse the board of making a politically motivated choice. [CapNews9] [TU]

A former SUNY Cobleskill dean is alleging the school admitted students so it could generate tuition money -- regardless of the student's academic qualifications. [Daily Gazette $]

Albany Police Department deputy chief Steven Krokoff says he wants to become the APD's next chief. [TU]

The city of Troy is holding a public hearing on the redevelopment of city hall Thursday evening. [TU]

The losers in the supervisor races in Colonie, Bethlehem and Clifton Park all spent more than the winners. [TU]

A CDTA shuttle bus burst into flames yesterday at Crossgates. CDTA says no one was injured. The fire left the bus a charred frame. [WNYT] [Fox23] [TU]

Documents filed in US District Court indicate that Adirondack Trust was the victim of $500k check scam. [TU]

Scott Murphy says he's introduced legislation that would repeal a law preventing small businesses from earning interest on their checking accounts. He says there's "no reason" for the current prohibition. [TU] [Saratogian]

Paul Tonko has endorsed Kirsten Gillibrand. [NYO]

The owner of a Ballston Spa restaurant says the state should change a law that requires property owners who have fallen behind on their taxes to pay off their entire bill at one time. [WNYT]

State police say an 11-year-old in Brunswich helped thwart an alleged burglary after seeing two men she didn't recognize enter her home. She says she hid in her closet and called 911 after she saw the men "snooping around" downstairs. [Troy Record] [Fox23]