All Over Albany

The "most potent" obstacle to same-sex marriage in New York State, bar employees chase alleged tip jar thief, boom chicka-wah-wah added to soundtrack of Troy city hall space hunt

Conservative Party chairman Mike Long is "the single most potent -- and immovable -- obstacle to the legalization of same-sex marriage in New York," according to NYT's Nick Confessore. Andrew Cuomo is reportedly working behind the scenes to provide political cover to state Senators looking to defy Long. Meanwhile, Republican state Senator Marty Golden introduced a bill that would stop the state from recognizing same-sex marriages from other states (the bill has basically no chance of making it through the legislature). [NYT] [YNN] [State of Politics] [Daily Politics]

It looks like the Albany library board will probably a new budget back to voters this summer -- perhaps with the tax increase reduced from 25 percent to 18 percent. Said one board member of the originally proposed 25 percent increase prompted by the demands of the library's new branches: "Did we miscalculate? I don't think so. Did anyone ever build a house and then realize I need a new couch it doesn't fit. We thought it was going to fit." [WNYT] [TU] [Fox23]

After repeatedly denying having a role in the murders of Arica Lynn Schneider and Samuel Holley, Michael Mosley told police on tape: "If I go to trial, it's going to be very simple to explain." Mosley's attorney has said his client is expected to testify in his own defense. [TU] [Troy Record] [Fox23]

Employees and patrons of the Bombers on Lark Street chased a guy through the surrounding neighborhood who had allegedly stolen the bar's tip jar. They caught him as he tried to jump a fence. Police say there had been about $140 in the jar. [TU] [YNN] [Fox23] [WNYT]

Almost $10 million in federal anti-terrorism funding is being pulled from upstate New York so it can be diverted to considered higher threat metropolitan areas. The Capital Region is losing about $1 million, a cut Jerry Jennings says is "very shortsighted." [AP/Troy Record] [TU]

It looks like Republican Jennifer Whalen will be jumping into the pool for Albany County exec. [TU]

The latest proposed spot for Troy's city hall chambers: the former Cinema Art theater space (map). Yep, the one that was shut down for, as the Record describes it, "questionable health conditions and patrons engaged in uninhibited sex activities." [TU] [Troy Record]

The teen accused of bringing a sawed-off shotgun to Crossgates has pleaded guilty and faces four years in prison. [WNYT]

The wet weather is keeping farmers in the region from planting corn -- and may even affect the apple crop. [Post-Star]

The Olender Mattress Company is closing after 109 years in business in the Capital Region. [WNYT]

Hot Dog Charlie's is closing its downtown Saratoga location. [Saratogian]

Among the ways Habitat for Humanity has found to build green homes in Schenectady cheaply: using volunteers to "caulk the heck out of a place." [Daily Gazette]

With a lot of help from neighbors and a new, stronger barn, things are back to normal at the Kings Ransom Farm in Saratoga County -- whose barn collapsed under the weight of drifted snow this past winter killing 94 animals. (This story also includes the photo of the day, by the Saratogian's Erica Miller.) [Saratogian]

Leonard Kastle, Westerlo resident and director of The Honeymoon Killers, has passed away. [TU]

It is unknown whether Teddy Bear the Cat, the last "heir" to the Corbin estate in Charlton, is still alive. [Daily Gazette]