All Over Albany

Paterson calls talk of layoffs "speculation," police union leaders sue over "mental anguish," body pulled from Hudson, big fire in Schenectady,

It's school budget vote day.

David Paterson said yesterday that talk about state worker layoffs is "more speculation" rather than a decision he's made. He said earlier in the day that if the furloughs are permanently blocked, "we have other plans" to get $250 million workforce savings. And he said he might not have to adhere to the no-layoffs pledge his administration signed with the unions last year. [YNN] [Daily Politics] [Buffalo News]

Paterson and legislative leaders are scheduled to have a public budget meeting this morning. A meeting last night between Paterson and Assembly Democrats apparently made little progress. One major point of contention is whether the state should borrow $2 billion for this year's budget. Said Richard Ravitch last night on what it would take to get the budget done: "I do not know at this point. I wish I did." [TU] [Fox23] [Daily Politics] [Daily Politics]

Bethlehem state assemblyman Tim Gordon showed up at the now-closed Thacher Park yesterday to mow the overgrown grass. His photo op was interrupted by electoral challenger Steve McLaughlin, who called Gordon's mowing an act of "grandstanding." [WNYT] [YNN]

By the way: the state parks office says it would take $250,000 to open Thacher Park this summer. [TU]

The heads of the union and umbrella union that rep Albany police officers have sued Albany County DA David Soares because they say they suffered "mental anguish" after Soares implied that they lied while campaigning against him in 2008. [TU]

The Albany Common Council approved the borrowing necessary to proceed with the Albany landfill expansion. [TU]

A big fire at an abandoned flea market in Schenectady shut down multiple city blocks and brought out all the city's fire fighters (map). Officials say the fire is suspicious. [WTEN] [TU] [YNN]

Troy police say a body was pulled from the Hudson near the Bruno Machinery site yesterday evening. The say it appears the man had been in the river for a while. [Troy Record] [Fox23]

The City of Schenectady ended its fiscal year without a surplus for the first time in five years. [Daily Gazette $]

The Saratoga Springs Police Department reports that overtime is down so far this year -- even after the loss of seven positions. [Daily Gazette $]

Saratoga restaurants will be putting up money to cover the extra police coverage necessary for two downtown festivals this summer. [Daily Gazette $]

The next principal of Saratoga Springs High School will be Brett Miller. He's currently the principal at Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk. Miller went to high school at... Shen. [Saratogian] [TU] [Post-Star]

Local auctioneers says business is brisk right now. [Daily Gazette $]

Ric Mitchell says he's been fired from B95.5. [TU]

Schenectady High School grad Casper Wells made his major league baseball debut this past weekend with the Detroit Tigers. [Daily Gazette $]

A Niskayuna High School student will have her artwork displayed at the US Capitol after winning a competition at the Arts Center of the Capital Region Monday night. Here's a slide show from the competition. [Troy Record] [CBS6]