All Over Albany

Cuomo floats new teacher evaluation system, clearing snowy sidewalks for scofflaws, bricks from town hall crash into cars, back from New Zealand

Andrew Cuomo is proposing a new statewide evaluation system as an alternative to "last in, first out." Cuomo's announcement came shortly after the Republican-controlled state Senate passed a bill that would end the use of seniority as the determining factor for layoffs in the New York City public schools (Mike Bloomberg has been pushing hard for the bill). Cuomo's proposal might be better received in the Democrat-controlled Assembly. [Cuomo admin] [NYT] [NY Post] [TU]

It sounds like the property tax cap Andrew Cuomo is pushing will have a tough time in the Assembly. [TU]

In a turnabout, Sheldon Silver says the Assembly will pursue an extension of the "Millionaire's Tax." (Andrew Cuomo has opposed an extension.) [NYT]

Ed Koch says Dean Skelos has gone back on a pledge he made to adopt independent redistricting. Koch rolled up (and in) to the Capitol in an electric car to scold Skelos on the issue. Skelos says he still support redistricting reform, but prefers to do it via constitutional amendment. [TU] [NYT] [State of Politics]

The city of Albany has spent almost $13k this winter on clearing snow from the sidewalks of scofflaw property owners. Map of the properties. [TU] [TU]

The man accused of sexually assaulting a Skidmore student on Circular Street last April has pleaded guilty. The Saratoga County DA says the man was in the country illegally from Mexico and will be deported after he serves time. [Saratogian] [Post-Star]

David Greenfield, the Troy man convicted of stabbing his ladyfriend because he allegedly said it was easier than trying to break up with her again, was sentenced to 25 years in prison. Said Ruth Morant during her victim impact statement: "Why didn't you just get up and walk out?" [Troy Record] [TU]

State police say a Rensselaer man was arrested for allegedly having 20,000 images of child porn on his computer. He apparently was not also charged for his face tattoo. [YNN] [TU]

A Cambridge woman allegedly bit a state trooper during an arraignment Halfmoon town court. Apparently it was just one part of a busy week for the woman. [TU] [Fox23]

A woman was bounced from the jury of an Albany County court rape case after she realized she had spotted the alleged crime in progress. [TU]

The proposed Saratoga Springs schools budget would increase the tax levy 1.5 percent. [Post-Star]

The Brighter Choice Foundation has put big signs on its building singling out Albany city treasurer Kathy Sheehan for voting against the charter school org's application for tax-free public financing. [TU Local Politics]

Bricks fell off the top of Bethlehem's town hall yesterday wrecking four cars parked below. Supervisor Sam Messina said the town knew there was a problem, "but we didn't know it had developed so severely so quickly." [WTEN] [TU]

Troy restaurant shuffle: Meka's Lounge has been issued an eviction notice -- and Daisy Baker's it out of bankruptcy with new owners. [Troy Record] [Troy Record]

Members of the 109th Airlift Wing are back from New Zealand. [WNYT]