Ravitch plan would reform state budget process, calorie counts coming to Schenectady County, another state police official resigns, pair arrested for allegedly switching drivers while speeding
Lieutenant governor Richard Ravitch is proposing a five year plan to fix the state budget process. Among the set of reforms: moving the budget deadline to July 1 and a panel that would decide whether the budget passed by the legislature is balanced according to generally accepted accounting principles. The plan also includes borrowing money to cover holes in upcoming budgets. [NYT] [AP/Post-Star] [TU]
State comptroller Tom DiNapoli floated his own plan for changing the budget process. It would give more power to... the state comptroller. [Fox23] [CapNews9]
Hoping to help fill a budget gap, Jerry Jennings argued before a state Senate committee yesterday that the state should pay more upfront in its payments in lieu of taxes to the City of Albany. [TU]
The Schenectady County legislature has passed a bill that will require calorie counts on menus at chain restaurants -- much like the law taking effect in Albany County. The Schenectady County law will take effect late this year. [Fox23] [TU]
Renssealer County exec Kathy Jimino is projecting a $14 million budget gap next year. She said the gap is being created by state mandates. [Troy Record] [TU]
Witnesses at the Steven Raucci trial testified yesterday about tactics and planning Raucci used to rise to head of the district's buildings and grounds department. The district's business manager, whose testified yesterday, also is retiring at the end of this school year. [Daily Gazette $] [Daily Gazette $]
It looks like the relationship between the YMCA and the group trying to save the Washington Ave location has come apart. [TU] *
Troy police chief Nicholas Kaiser is retiring today. [WNYT]
The Albany County legislature has approved another $10k for the Albany Gun Buyback. [TU]
Pedro Perez, who recently became the acting superintendent of the State Police because the former superintendent resigned amid allegations of state police intervention in the domestic violence accusations against one of David Paterson's top aides, has himself now resigned. Sources recently told NYT that Perez gave the head of David Paterson's security team the OK to contact the woman who sought an order of protection against the Paterson aide. In his resignation letter, Perez said he thought staying on the job "may be an obstacle to progress of the New York State Police." [TU] [NYT] [CapNews9]
The much-criticized Aqueduct racino deal is coming apart. Top backers -- including Jay-Z -- have bailed. David Paterson says he's recusing himself from the situation. And the state lottery division has reportedly concluded the company behind the bid is "unlicensable." The Aqueduct deal was supposed to bring the state a $300 million payment and help NYRA fund upgrades at tracks -- including Saratoga. [TU] [NY Post] [Daily Politics] [NYDN]
State police say they arrested two people on the Northway near Saratoga Saturday after their car was observed speeding -- and then, with car still moving, the two people switched who was at the wheel. [CBS6] [WTEN]
The Tour of Battenkill is back on track after it found a new main sponsor. [Post-Star]
The Saratoga Shoe Depot's Delmar location has closed. [TU]
* The Capital District YMCA ran ads on AOA last month
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Comments
I'm not surprised about the YMCA situation at all. The attitude of Brown was disheartening from the get-go. I've spoken to many people who belong to that branch and they feel the same as I do, that he wants that branch to close. If he wants to defend his character- he needs to change his attitude towards the people who want to help.
As for his go-to answer of "just go to the North Albany YMCA"- I went there the other morning and there is NO WAY a facility that size can support the Washington Ave branch's members that he thinks are just going to flock there. I know of at least two members who will probably leave the Y and join the JCC because of that problem. And it doesn't matter that it's only two miles away- it is not a safe path to walk and again IT IS NOT ON A GOOD BUS LINE.
Have fun closing the North Albany Y in a few years when you can't retain membership there either.
... said KatherineSass on Mar 10, 2010 at 10:43 AM | link
Re: The resignation of the acting superintendent of the State Police. This isn't so much of a self inflicted case of 'painted with the same brush' as it is 'hit with the same fire hose'.
... said komradebob on Mar 10, 2010 at 11:19 AM | link
KatherineSass- Not to disagree with your point (2 miles is not close), but it is only a block away from the 22 bus line which is the second most used route and during peak times runs several times an hour. That's about as good as a bus line gets in Albany. I don't know what you expect.
... said Hurril on Mar 10, 2010 at 3:51 PM | link
It's not so much that it's only a block. With a transfer required from almost anywhere else in the city, it's a matter of catching a bus from where you live, getting to a 22 stop and then catching the 22 at the right time. If I was leaving the Y that would be fine since I work downtown. But I live in mid-town.
... said KatherineSass on Mar 10, 2010 at 4:45 PM | link