All Over Albany

State legislature doesn't take up deficit reduction, Albany Common Council passes budget, judge says alleged admission in Bailey murder should be tossed, woman has 300+ Barbies

The state legislature did not take action to close the $300something million current year budget gap during yesterday's not-so-special session. Senate Democrats blamed the lack of action on the Paterson administration, saying they didn't have enough time to review the deficit reduction bills. The Paterson administration said the legislature was just "making excuses to push this year's responsibility further into the future." Said Roy McDonald of the failure to act: "... if I were the public, I would say to us, 'Don't go home. Stay right here. Work through the holidays. Welcome to the real world!'" [TU] [AP/Troy Record] [NYT] [Fox23]

Also not taken up during the special session: a measure to prop up the bankrupt NYC OTB. The betting operation could shut down as early as Friday -- and could result in a significant loss of revenue for the state's horse racing industry. [State of Politics] [NY Post] [TU]

After a marathon session, the Albany Common Council passed a budget that includes a 2 percent tax increase includes a 7.5 percent tax increase, 34 projected layoffs and saves Public Bath No. 2. Jerry Jennings has said he'd veto the budget if it includes funding for the public pool. [ACO] [CBS6] [TU] [Fox23] [@TULocalPolitics]

David Paterson says an increase in the number of state contracts going to minority or women-owned businesses is one of the greatest successes of his administration. [TU]

Albany police say a man was shot in the leg Monday night in West Hill (map). [CBS6]

Raymond Van Clief was sentenced to 23 years in prison for fatally shooting his estranged wife's boyfriend during an argument last December in Schenectady. Van Clief, a veteran of Iraq and Afghanistan, told the judge he thought his kids were threatened and his military instincts took hold of him. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

The Nassau woman accused of killing her daughter in Illinois has pleaded not guilty. [Troy Record]

A state Supreme Court judge has ruled that De Von Callicut's alleged admission to police that he shot Richard Bailey should be tossed -- but also ruled a letter Callicut allegedly wrote from prison about the crime is admissible. [TU]

Five Troy police officers have racked up more than $30k in overtime this year. [Troy Record]

Albany school district leaders say the state legislature's decision to (at least so far) not take up a freeze on charter school funding could mean more layoffs for the district. [TU]

State police say it appears road rage prompted two men follow another man into his house in Schenectady County, upon which there was a fight and the homeowner subdued one of the men and 911 was called. [Daily Gazette] [CBS6] [Fox23]

The director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center in Schenectady is resigning at the end of the year, amid accusations of fiscal mismanagement. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Researchers from UAlbany the state Department of Health are starting a large scale of upstate kids, looking at the possible effects of fertility treatments and environment exposures to a range of chemicals. [TU]

Clifton Park's restaurant scene is reportedly booming. [Daily Gazette]

A Clifton Park woman will be displaying her collection of more than 300 Barbies this week. [TU]