Cuomo says "time is getting short" on negotiations with state employee unions, concerns about UAlbany slipping to second-tier status, Chipotle for Niskayuna
The thunderstorms that rumbled through the area this morning.
Today's forecast: showers and thunderstorms, cloudy, highs around 75. [NWS]
Andrew Cuomo on negotiations with state employee unions, and possible layoffs: "We're in the middle of those conversations now, and we don't have any conclusion at this time. But time is getting short ... and the decision will be coming shortly." [TU]
Cuomo on the proposed two percent property tax cap: "The answer can't always be: more money, more money, more money. And if you say 'here's more money,' do you know what a school district is going to say? Do you know what a government is going to say? Do you know what a person is going to say? 'Give me more money!'" Critics say a cap won't work if it's not also coupled with mandate reform that would stem rising costs for local governments. [Fox23] [YNN]
NYT's Thomas Kaplan on yesterday's Cuomo admin cabinet meeting: "In a bizarre spectacle even by Albany standards, the governor's cabinet members emerged one at a time from Mr. Cuomo's ceremonial office into a scrum of television cameras. Each time, they refused to discuss the meeting. And then, as if reading from the same Hallmark greeting card, they praised Mr. Cuomo." Brian Stratton's post-meeting explanation: "Everybody's happy." [NYT] [NYDN]
The state Department of Taxation and Finance has issued guidelines in an attempt to clear up the ever-confusing issue of whether a bagel (or other food) should be taxed. [TU]
Capital Region officials are irked that UAlbany wasn't invited to a higher education summit being organized by the Cuomo admin in May. The conference will focus on a plan that could give the University at Buffalo more freedom to set tuition and develop public-private collaborations -- and the worry is that if UAlbany is left out of such a deal, it could slip to second-tier status in the state. [TU] [YNN] [WNYT]
The plans to reduce the size of the Albany common council appear to have strong opposition in minority communities. [TU]
A pond dam in Saratoga collapsed, allowing the pond's contents to wash into the water supply for the city. A city official says there's no threat to public health. [Fox23] [Saratogian]
PETA is raising concerns that an elephant being brought to the area by the Ringling Bros and Barnum and Bailey circus has tuberculosis -- but experts say there's little reason to worry. [TU]
Members of the Albany police department's neighborhood engagement unit have now been trained to patrol their beats on bikes. [Fox23]
The Colonie police department traded two patrol cars for a school bus from the South Colonie school district. [YNN]
An October arrest in Troy will be featured on a reality show tonight on A&E. [Troy Record]
A bank has put up money for a first-time homebuyer program in Schenectady. [YNN]
Planning documents indicate that a Chipotle is in the works for the Mansion Square development in Niskayuna. [Daily Gazette]
A company is using ground scanning radar to look for unmarked graves in a portion of Schenectady's Vale Cemetery. [Daily Gazette]
Two Albany woman are going to London for the royal wedding -- they haven't been invited, there's just going to be near the hubbub. [Daily Gazette]
image: National Weather Service
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Comments
"Two Albany woman are going to London for the royal wedding -- they haven't been invited, there's just going to be near the hubbub."
Two uninteresting losers from the area who obviously have nothing going on in their own lives go to london because they watch too much Entertainment Tonight, story at 11
... said ike on Apr 28, 2011 at 10:06 AM | link
Are things really so boring here that we need newspaper stories about a new Chipotle opening? I thought the Times Union had already cornered that beat. Sheesh.
... said beemur on Apr 28, 2011 at 10:39 AM | link
"concerns about UAlbany slipping to second-tier status"
Closing the barn door after the horse ran out. The death of Kermit Hall was the end of the last solid chance they had to come back.
... said BBnet3000 on Apr 28, 2011 at 11:06 AM | link
"Two uninteresting losers from the area who obviously have nothing going on in their own lives go to london because they watch too much Entertainment Tonight, story at 11"
Methinks the story is about a commenter from the area who obviously has nothing going on in his own life because he comments on uninteresting losers who have nothing going on in their own lives. Film at 11.
... said Bob on Apr 28, 2011 at 12:03 PM | link
"concerns about UAlbany slipping to second-tier status"
A second tier for UAlbany would be a huge improvement!
In science programs UAlbany is not even in top 100 (out of 180)
... said Lu on Apr 28, 2011 at 12:53 PM | link
If we all understood that there is no "I" in negotations we would all come to better agreements. Excellent subliminal suggestion AOA!
Editors: Erp. Fixed. Thanks.
... said Mr Galt on Apr 28, 2011 at 1:44 PM | link
I understand that some headlines are ridiculous, but the news can be depressing enough without reading unnecessarily mean-spirited comments.
... said Summer on Apr 28, 2011 at 2:18 PM | link