Cuomo aims to change tone at Capitol, state Senate situation could be "interesting," GloFo worried about backup water supply, Albany neighbors concerned about new dorm
In his first interview since Election Day, Andrew Cuomo told Fred Dicker on Talk 1300 (mp3) that his priority is to change the "rampant negativity and dysfunction" at the Capitol. But: "If someone wants to say everything should change on day one, I'm going to say, 'Been there, done that.'" (Spitzer dig) Dicker also asked about Jerry Jennings as a potential OGS commissioner (Jennings and Cuomo are friends) -- Cuomo said Jennings is a "very talented guy" who "could do anything he wants to do" -- but probably wants to stay mayor. [TALK1300] [NYDN] [Fox23] [CBS6] [WTEN]
Control of the state Senate is still up in the air, although it looks like the chamber could be headed for a 31-31 tie. That situation could lead to quite a bit of chaos as each side tries to pull members from the other. Said Ruben Diaz, who caucuses with the Democrats (well, usually), to Jimmy Vielkind: "It's going to be very interesting to see what Senator Diaz will do. Believe me." (Also, Carl Kruger: apparently no longer an amigo.) The potential tie also has both sides reading up on the tie breaking rules. [State of Politics] [TU CapCon] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]
The state is facing a $315 million gap in the current year budget, and David Paterson wants to bring the legislature back to fix it -- but legislators seem less than enthusiastic about taking it up the cuts before Cuomo becomes governor. [CBS6] [TU]
The Troy city council's override of a mayor veto sets them up to again have to the power to block demolition of the old city hall. The move prompted accusations of thumb twiddling and stubborness. Harry Tutunjian says he's still going to solicit bids for the building's demolition. [Troy Record] [WNYT] [YNN]
Also up for discussion at last night's Troy city council meeting: the ongoing Facebook page drama, which prompted dueling accusations of shame and a post-meeting confrontation that had to be broken up. [UStream] [TU]
The Colonie town board approved a budget that includes a 7 percent tax increase. [TU]
A concern for a backup water supply for the Luther Forest chip fab is apparently the main issue GlobalFoundries has with the progress of the tech campus. [TU]
A state appeals court has upheld the conviction of the Jermayne Timmons, the teen who fired the stray bullet that killed Kathina Thomas. The court called Timmons' actions on the day of Thomas' death "brazen." [TU] [Troy Record]
Two leaders of a Hindu temple in Schenectady have been convicted in a case involving $2.9 million in bank fraud.
The Fairy Godmother has taken a plea deal. [TU]
Saratoga Springs police say the pulled over two men on Broadway Wednesday who allegedly had 9 pounds of pot in their car. [Saratogian]
Neighbors of the College of Saint Rose say they're concerned about the college's plan to build a large dorm on Madison Ave. [TU]
Carl Paladino never reached Andrew Cuomo for a concession call. [NYT]
Stillwater's proposed budget includes a 4.5 percent tax increase. [Saratogian]
The Malta town board opened the way for a new Hannaford in the town. [Daily Gazette]
The historic Gillette house near the Stockade in Schenectady could become a bagel shop with a drive-thru. [Daily Gazette]
Farther afield, the Warren County sheriff's office says a woman stole a $1000 siamese cat from a pet store in Queensbury. [Post-Star]
Helen Quirini -- a longtime Schenectady activist who once told Jack Welch (to his face), "Your mother would be ashamed of you" -- has passed away. She was 90. [TU]
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Comments
After what I'll a spirited debate with my roommate the other day, I decided to look up just how the state budget breaks out. The info's easy to find, though hard to read in some places, but here's what I noticed. Total 2010-2011 spending is around 140 billion dollars. Medicaid spending is $51.5 billion -- over 1/3rd of the total. Now they're saying there's a $315 million gap... and while other programs are getting nickel and dimed, they seriously can't find about one half of one percent of Medicare spending to trim?
... said B on Nov 5, 2010 at 12:50 PM | link
Okay, I'll proofread better in the future. Missing a couple words and yes that's Medicaid at the end not Medicare.
... said B on Nov 5, 2010 at 1:09 PM | link
Residents, students, city... we need to be on the same page. We're all talking about how much of a value mass transit it, and how we want to keep Pine Hills vibrant, but the tone it down on the tug of war over parking.
Truth of the matter is St. Rose is demolishing ONE building to build the dorm (fine by me) and demolishing THREE to build parking lot (one that is bigger than the min. required by law.) PH residents want students to use the bus more, and to shop in the nighborhood... but if we coddle them, make it easy to bring cars to school, then conjestion and parking lots proliferate and ridership on CDTA declines.
We just can't have it both ways. Surface parking=more cars, traffic, and a less attractive streetscape. This lot will not "cure" the lack of on street parking. In fact, as this neighborhood becomes more densely populated, and single family homes are replaced by multi-unit dwellings, the parking will only get worse. It won't be until we have something like a parking lot space maximum instead of a minimum, will we have newcomers start to consider walking and mass transit as opposed to fighting for 10'x20' feet os asphalt for a parking spot.
... said daleyplanit on Nov 5, 2010 at 2:24 PM | link