All Over Albany

Budget negotiations continue, another poll shows Cuomo approval drop, yep, it really is spring

Spring starts today, but you couldn't tell by looking out the window. The last day of winter brought as much as 12-inches of snow to parts of the Capital Region. [TU]

State legislators have approved Albany's $7.8 million spin-up payment in lieu of taxes for the Empire State Plaza.[TU]

Andrew Cuomo says the four men in the room may have "the general contours of a framework for an agreement," on a budget, but there's still no official deal. Under discussion --an amendment to the NY SAFE act that would allow people to buy 10-round magazines with seven bullets, and have fully loaded magazines in their home and at designated shooting ranges. Sheldon Silver says the change is one of several "mostly technical" changes to the law that are under consideration.[TU] [YNN][TU][WNYT]

Cuomo and legislative leaders are also hammering out an agreement to extend a high-tax bracket for the state's top incomes, which was slated to end in 2014, to help boost the state's finances and to avoid discussion of a tax increase in the midst of the 2014 election cycle. [NYT]

The budget plan being worked on will also include a $350 tax rebate to middle class homeowners with children.[Democrat and Chronicle]

A new Quinnipiac poll shows Andrew Cuomo's approval rating has dropped to 55% from a December rating of 74%. The same poll showed New Yorker's oppose drilling in the Marcelus shale 46% to 39%and support raising the minimum wage 80-18 percent. [WNYT][Qinnipiac]

Governor Cuomo met with a delegation of Roman Catholic bishops on Tuesday who say they support him on economic an social justice issues, but urged him to reconsider a plan to modify state abortion laws. [Saratogian][TU]

The man charged with threatening a Skidmore student earlier this month is now facing additional charges for skipping out on charges at a Bed and Breakfast. [TU]

Saratoga County's Board of Supervisors rejected an effort to hire the 22-year-old recent Siena grad and daughter of a prominent Halfmoon Republican party member for a job running the county animal shelter. [WNYT][Saratogian]

The 29-year-old woman who was mugged in Saratoga Springs over the weekend was also sexually assaulted by two of her three attackers. Police are now saying the attack may not have been random. [Saratogian] [TU]

Albany police are investigating a robbery that took place at an Orange Street residence in the city on Monday. [APD Press Release]

Albany police are investigating the alleged robbery of a 14 year old in Hoffman park by two other teens, one of whom was armed with a knife. [APD Press release]

A Saratoga Springs man facing charges for robbing a Schenectady bank is now believed to have been behind two bank robberies in Rotterdam last month. [TU]

A man who served six years in prison for posing as an FBI agent in an attempt to kidnap a woman, has been arrested again in Glens Falls for allegedly stalking a woman and then leading police on a chase that resulted in a crash. [Saratogian]

Police are looking for the person who abused a pit bull puppy found dead and emaciated on a roadside in Sand Lake last week. [YNN]

State legilslators are working to increase penalty for killing a police animal to a Class D felony, one week after an FBI canine was shot and killed in the stand-off with police in the town of Herkermer. [YNN]

Global Foundries hasn't decided if it will build a second, $14.7 billion 8.2 factory in Malta, but it has released a plan showing what the plant would look like, been approved for $387 million in sales tax exemptions by the Saratoga County IDA and learned this week that National Grid is beginning construction of a long-awaited four-mile natural gas line to allow an expansion. [TU]

The Cohoes Planning Board has tabled a vote on a proposed entertainment venue in the former St. Joeseph's church and is requesting more information on how the building's owner plans to deal with post-event traffic issues. [Record]

Residents of the Saratoga County village of Victory have voted against dissolving the village.[Saratogian]

Saratoga Mayor Scott Johnson is making another push to update the city's comprehensive plan.[Saratogian]

Historic Albany led a bus tour on Tuesday to show prospective buyers vacant buildings in the city that need to be reclaimed. [TU]

A Troy couple, married in 1937, is one of the longest married couples in New York State.[TU]

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APD Press Release-- Orange Street Robbery

Albany Police are investigating a residential robbery that occurred in the 200 block of Orange Street
 
On March 18, 2013 at approximately 7:20 PM, officers responded to a residence in the 200 block of Orange Street for an armed robbery. The two victims, a 41 year old male and a 66 year old female, stated that a black male entered the residence with what appeared to be a handgun. The female victim was ordered to remain downstairs while the suspect engaged the male victim on the second floor.
 
The suspect ordered the male victim to empty his pockets and relieved him of an undisclosed amount of cash. The suspect then directed the male victim to the first floor where he struck him with the weapon and fled the scene. The victim was treated on scene by Albany Fire Department personnel  and transported to AMCH for treatment of minor injuries.
 
Investigating officers observed evidence of drug activity at the residence and believe it may have been connected to the incident.
 
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APD Press release Hoffman Park robbery

On March 18, 2013 at approximately 6:30 PM, officers responded to Hoffman park for a report of a robbery. The victim, a 14 year old male, was approached by two individuals who demanded his belongings. One of the suspects was armed with a knife and threatened the victim.
 
The suspects relieved the victim of his book bag and cellular telephone and fled the scene. Officers quickly located and arrested the two suspects and recovered the stolen property.
 
Najee Washington, 16, Albany was arrested and charged with Robbery 1st & 2nd.
 
Pershon Mackey, 17, Albany was also arrested and charged with Robbery 1st & 2nd.
 
Both suspects were arraigned in Albany Police Court.