All Over Albany

Despite rally chances of NY SAFE Act repeal don't look strong, GloFo looking for $400 million in tax breaks, fast food flashing in Rotterdam, the 175-year-old law firm

The crowd outside the Capitol Thursday for the rally to repeal the NY SAFE Act was more than 5,000 people, according to a State Police estimate. Said David Keene, president of the NRA, to the crowd: "Your governor is willing to sacrifice the Constitution, your rights as citizens and the prerogatives of his Legislature on the altar of his own ambition and the ego of Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City ... We've lost battles before. We'll not lose this war." Kathy Marchione has introduced a bill to repeal many parts of the act -- though it doesn't appear to have much of a chance of making it through the legislature. Earlier: Scenes from the rally to repeal the NY SAFE Act. [TU] [NYSNYS/Troy Record] [NYT] [State of Politics] [State of Politics]

With "the sequester" about to take effect, Chris Gibson said he's disappointed that Barack Obama "hasn't shown more leadership" on the issue, and Paul Tonko pointed the finger at Republicans in the House. [Troy Record/AP]

The sixth person accused in the fatal stabbing of Takim Smith at the Corliss Park apartments -- 19-year-old Eric Aaron Mallard -- was arraigned Thursday on charges that include second-degree murder. According to a police statement, a neighborhood told police that the apartment where Smith was killed was frequented by gang members. [Troy Record] [TU]

That review of the The Egg by the state Authorities Budget Office concludes that the performance venue's "financial position is weak" and "its current management structure is not working." It also recommends a look at whether The Egg would be better off under the management of the state Office of General Services instead of its own authority. The ABO's director framed the recommendations as part of the Cuomo admin's broader goals of "streamlining government, reducing overlap and elimination of redundant services." The Egg's executive director told the Times Union the org is still reviewing the ABO report and didn't have comment beyond its response in the report. [NYS ABO] [Daily Gazette] [TU]

GlobalFoundries is looking for about $400 million in sales tax breaks for the construction of its research center and, potentially, a second fab. If GloFo goes ahead with another fab at Luther Forest, it could start construction as early as next year. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

The investigation into alleged records violations by a Rensselaer County Sheriff's Department administrator at Samaritan Hospital has widened -- "sources" tell the Times Union that a correction officer may have gained access to a neighbor's child's medical record in order to get a sense of the seriousness of a dog bite injury. [TU]

One of the Troy city council members who was pushing the parolee registration law says he's changed his mind on the proposal. [Troy Record]

The Port of Albany -- and the Hudson Valley -- are becoming key links in the transportation of crude oil from North Dakota. [TU]

The new director for WTEN and WXXA has been charged with DWI after being stopped on Western Ave in Albany just before midnight Wednesday (map). [TU]

A pickup truck rammed into a warehouse in Colonie Thursday -- a witness told the Times Union the truck hit at high speed and the driver was injured. [YNN] [TU]

Rotterdam police are trying to find the guy who's flashed people on multiple occasions at fast food places in the Five Corners area. [WNYT]

Sallie Mae is pushing the mother of Lauren Tanski -- the Colonie woman who was killed in New Orleans in January -- to pay back some of Tanski's students loans (Chuck Schumer has floated a bill that would require forgiveness of private student loans in the case of death.) [Daily Gazette] [News10]

A state appellate court upheld a ruling that a mulch business on the Brunswick/Troy line was in violation of town zoning -- owners of the business have argued the town knew about its expansion plans and supported them. [TU]

The Niskayuna school district is considering bringing in tuition-paying international students as a way of closing its budget gap. [Daily Gazette]

A Niskayuna law firm has been in operation for 175 years. [Daily Gazette]