Common refrain: there's no money, McCarthy says Schenectady's looking for "urban pioneers," prime pope candidate studied in Rensselaer
Bob Duffy to mayors clamoring for more state aid: "The governor wants to give more. He would like nothing better than to elevate the AIM aid. But there just is no money. There is no money and the same situation that you are facing in your respective areas, he is facing statewide." [TU] [YNN]
SUNY chancellor Nancy Zimpher, testifying before a panel of state legislators, said the system needs hundreds of millions of dollars for its medical centers and other programs because it's "hemorrhaging money." [TU]
And more dire financial talk from schools: the executive director of the state Council of School Superintendents said at an event in Niskayuna about the fiscal crunch that school districts are "closer to their fiscal cliff today than ever before." Said another official from the org in urging people at the forum to push state legislators for more funding: "Observe what's happening in Albany -- all the time. It's your new part-time job." [WNYT] [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The state Senate confirmed the appointment of Jenny Rivera to the Court of Appeals (the state's highest court). Some Senate Republicans had pushed hard against Rivera's appointment, criticizing her lack of trial judge experience and voicing concerns "that she would be prone toward judicial activism." [TU] [State of Politics] [AP/Troy Record]
In his state of the city address, Gary McCarthy said Schenectady is "looking for urban pioneers." He also said the city will have a modest surplus for 2012. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
A man accused of being part of shootout in Schenectady in 2011 (map) -- he was hit three times -- was convicted of assault and a gun charge -- but acquitted of one attempted murder charge and the jury couldn't reach a verdict on the other. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
Five Troy men alleged to be part of a gang pleaded guilty to a gun a charge -- prosecutors say the group's dispute with another gang prompted much of last year's gun violence in the city. [TU]
State Police say a man who led police on a car chase from 787 into Troy Monday night jumped out of the car in South Troy -- and into the Poestenkill Creek jumped into the Poestenkill Creek. [WNYT] [News10]
Anti-fracking activists are pushing for an investigation of one of Andrew Cuomo's top aides, arguing an investment in ExxonMobile is a conflict of interesting hydrofracking. Also at the Capitol Monday: the director of a pro-fracking documentary. [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [WNYT]
Albany County is lining up a $3.2 million with the Hudson River/Black River Regulating District. (The flood control district levied fees against counties in the area in 2010 after it lost out on another funding source -- the district and counties have been going back and forth on it ever since.) [TU]
North Greenbush's police chief is stepping down after 14 years in the job. [Troy Record]
The Saratoga Springs city council passed a law aimed at helping the city deal with a growing number of vacant buildings. [Daily Gazette]
One of the cardinals said to be among the prime candidates to be the next pope studied in Rensselaer. [TU]
Albany police say more than 300 warning tickets have been issued so far as part of the grace period for the residential parking permit system. [News10]
Saratoga County will be one of the counties taking part in an annual survey by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. [Saratogian]
The planned addition to the Rip Van Dam hotel in downtown Saratoga Springs would be, in some ways, a return to what the hotel once was. [Saratogian]
The Parting Glass has been tapped as one of the world's best Irish pubs in a magazine's reader survey. [Saratogian]
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I'm sorry Bob Duffy, but the Governor (and the Legislature) is not quite facing the same problem as our mayors. The Gov can kick at least some of the financial can down the road in the form of unfunded mandates. With the towns and cities at the end of that road.
... said komradebob on Feb 12, 2013 at 10:17 AM | link
Bob Duffy to mayors clamoring for more state aid: "The governor wants to give more... There is no money and the same situation that you are facing in your respective areas, he is facing statewide." [TU] [YNN]
And yet, regarding aid from the federal government to NYS, Cuomo said that he understood the "fiscal pressures" that Congress faces, but that this aid for NYS was needed immediately.
I guess cities just don't need aid 'immediately' enough.
... said Bob on Feb 12, 2013 at 11:04 AM | link
The Schenectady mayor's call for "urban pioneers" is such a joke. Schenectady has some of the highest property taxes and crime rates in the state (not counting NYC). People are not going to want to buy homes here until those two things change drastically. Imagine how different the "City of Lights" would be if GE actually paid some taxes.
... said xina on Feb 12, 2013 at 11:20 AM | link
Ha! If only 300 warning tickets have been issued I'm responsible for more than 1%!
... said Jackers on Feb 13, 2013 at 9:57 AM | link