All Over Albany

Cuomo admin pushing for concessions from state employee unions, DMV supevisor accused of helping son cheat on driver's test, details on proposed Saratoga brew pub, bear attack

The Cuomo administration touted concessions it got in a new contract with a union that reps some state law enforcement employees -- notably a salary freeze, no step increases, and increased employee contributions to health care premiums. Andrew Cuomo called it "a model the other unions negotiating with the state can follow." -- that could head off a potential 9,500 layoffs. PEF says it was offered a similar contract, but says it turned because it "would impose an unfair burden" on union members and "would not ensure PEF members would not be laid off anyway." [Cuomo admin] [TU] [PEF]

A Menands police station video obtained by the Times Union shows how two Albany police union reps counseled an APD officer during his arrest for DWI last December -- among their advice: don't take the alcohol test. [TU]

The state Inspector General's report alleges that a Rensselaer County DMV supervisor helped her son and a friend cheat on the written exam for a commercial driver's license. The woman has been charged with three felonies -- she pleaded not guilty yesterday. Said Rensselaer County clerk Frank Merola: "... Lori was a great employee. She just made one mistake." [NYS IG] [TU] [WNYT]

An Albany man (and substitute teacher) has pleaded guilty to giving indecent material to a minor. He was arrested last year after State Police say he tried to meet two 14-year-olds for sex. State Police say they had received complaints that had been contacting minors via Facebook. [TU] [CBS6] [Fox23]

An Albany man was convicted of murder for a stabbing in Arbor Hill last summer. [TU]

The Troy school board approved a budget that includes an almost three percent tax levy increase -- and, as of now, a cut of 40 teaching positions. The superintendent is also forgoing his scheduled pay raise. [Troy Record] [CBS6] [WTEN]

The South Colonie school board approved a budget that would increase taxes almost three percent. [TU]

The Ballston Spa school board approved a budget with 2.5 percent tax levy increase and the elimination of 33 positions. [CBS6] [Saratogian]

The state Department of Taxation and Finance briefly seized the Fireside Pizzeria in Schenectady this week for allegedly being more than $100k behind on sales taxes. [Daily Gazette]

Almost half of the water that goes through Mechanicville's system is unbilled either because of leaks, broken meters, or unmetered buildings. [Daily Gazette]

The group that wants to open a brew pub on Broadway in downtown Saratoga shared details of the proposed project with the city planning board. [Saratogian]

Clifton Park's new town golf course opens Friday (newly under town ownership, the course was already there). [Daily Gazette]

A program at the Columbia County jail has inmates working to train rescued dogs. Said one inmate of his dog: "He's given me a lot of hope in here." [TU] [Fox23]

A woman was knocked over by a bear in northern Green County yesterday afternoon (map). The woman was taken to the hospital because of a back injury. [Fox23] [WNYT]

Now reportedly a threat in New York State: invasive wild boar. [YNN]