Legislature passes budget extender with furloughs, police say abduction was made up, Troy's most wanted
Both the state Senate and Assembly passed the budget extender that includes furloughs for state workers. Said David Paterson in a statement:
"I commend the Legislature for approving my emergency appropriations legislation, which will ensure the continued orderly operation of government and achieve necessary workforce savings through State employee furloughs."
CSEA says it's already filed for a temporary restraining order in federal court. PEF says it's doing the same. Sheldon Silver said he believed the courts would overturn the furloughs. [NYT] [Paterson admin] [CSEA] [PEF] [Daily Politics]
The budget extender vote was along party lines in the Senate (Democrats for, Republicans against), but some Democrats in the Assembly also voted against the measure. Among local reps, Republicans voted against the budget extender and Democrats generally voted for it (exceptions: Bob Reilly and Tim Gordon). Ron Canestrari said the alternative to voting for the budget extender -- shutting down the state -- "could have been uglier." Said Jim Tedisco: "I think maybe it's time to look at shutting down state government and telling them to do their job if they're serious about their constituents." [Buffalo News] [Daily Politics] [TU] [WNYT] [WTEN] [Fox23]
State workers were fired up before the vote at yesterday's protest at the Capitol. Said CSEA president Danny Donohue of the giant inflatable rat at the rally: "Somebody said the rat is a good symbol of the governor. I say that's an insult to a rodent." Other messages for the governor were more succinct. [Troy Record] [AOA] [Rob Gierthy] [NYT City Room] [State of Politics]
If the one-day-a-week furloughs stand the court challenge, they're scheduled to start next week. [AP/Post-Star]
Roy McDonald's bid to attach a $17 million loan for NYRA to the budget extender was rejected. [Saratogian]
Stillwater police say the boy who reported being temporarily abducted made up the story. [Fox23]
The feds say they were tipped off to the guy who was allegedly keeping a cache of guns and ammo at his house in the Stockade partly by his MySpace page. [Daily Gazette $]
It looks like there's a deal to swing support on the Albany Common Council for a bond necessary for the landfill expansion. [TU]
Troy released a "criminal watch list" -- basically a most-wanted list. The city says it's hoping the public can help police locate the suspects. Troy police said last night that publication of the list had already led to an arrest. [City of Troy] [Fox23]
The state has told the Saratoga Springs police department to change the way it monitors prisoners on two occasions in recent years. A woman died in lockup there earlier this year. [TU]
Schenectady police say a 16-year-old crashed a pickup truck into a house yesterday. [WTEN]
Former Siena basketball stars Kenny Hasbrouck and Ronald Moore resolved their drunk driving charges yesterday.
The TU Center is getting a new scoreboard. [TU]
The Paul Mitchell salon school has opened in downtown Schenectady. [Daily Gazette $]
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I'm a bit confused by the way the article about the false kidnapping in Stillwater was written. They say the story was made up, but then proceed to say that they're still investigating the story as if it was true? I understand you have to take things like that VERY seriously, but it just seems strange to me.
... said Summer on May 11, 2010 at 10:35 AM | link
More specifically, from the article: "Police are investigated the claim seriously."
I assume they put Serious Cat on the case.
... said b on May 11, 2010 at 2:53 PM | link