All Over Albany

Framework of budget hammered out, CNSE makes $3 billion nanotech deal with Israel, plans for Monument Square development in Troy

The framework of a conceptual state budget has been hammered out, though a number of details have yet to be worked on ,including reduce arrests for small amounts of marijuana and the proposed cuts to the State Office for People with Developmental Disabilites. Among the items that have been agreed upon in the estimated $135 billion spending plan: a minimum wage hike to $9 an hour in increments over 3 years, $350 tax rebate checks for middle class homeowners with kids and a school aid hike of $500 million over what was originally proposed by Governor Cuomo. This is the earliest an agreement has been reached in 30 years. Voting on the budget could occur as soon as this weekend.[YNN][TU][NYT][City&State][WNYT]

While defending a proposal to elminate a ban on the sale of 10-round magazines that was part of the New York SAFE law, Andrew Cuomo said the gun law was worked on "probably ten times longer than the budget will be" and that it was not hastily passed.[Capitol Confidential]

Israel has made a $3 billion dollar five year research and development deal with Albany NanoTech.[TU]

A Rensselaer County farmer has been sentenced to probation for buying poultry and repackaging it, and passing the uninspected meat off as organic. [TU][News 10]

An off duty Schenectady police officer who noticed a man with a towel around his face, running from a Niskayuna Trustco bank, helped police catch an alleged bank robber. [WNYT] [TU]

The Saratoga Springs man charged with robbing three banks in Schenectady County and one in Saratoga is currently on parole for... bank robbery.[TU]

Rensselaer County prosecutors have two witnessess who say 18-year-old Daquan Jones was the shooter who shot and injured a 15-year-old in Troy last May. [TU]

Day three of deliberations begins today in the trial of James Wells, charged in the shooting death of 15-year old Eddie Stanley in Schenectady.[WNYT]

The Schenectady Metroplex Redevelopment Corporation has purchased a 1.1 acre parcel of land at the village of Scotia gateway for $1 and plans to redevelop the site and sell it to Mazzone Management Group. [TU]

A Saratoga Springs woman is charged with animaly cruelty after police found four malnourished and distressed dogs at her home in the Spa City.[TU]

A man is charged with vehicle and traffic violations in Saratoga Springs after he allegedly jumped on a moving taxi cab after a night of drinking. [TU]

Saratoga Springs Mayor Scott Johnson isn't running for mayor again -- but isn't ruling out running for congress. [WNYT]

Two State Supreme Court Justices from Albany -- Thomas Breslin and Joseph Teresi-- have been spending some time in the Bronx, helping to deal with more than 4,0000 backlogged felony cases. [TU]

Firefighters in Schenectady say a blaze that damaged a two family home on Avenue A overnight did not appear to be suspicious, but investigations are ongoing. [TU]

Nearly 75 percent of Albany County's top 25 overtime earners work in nursing at the Albany County nursing home. [TU]

The Saratoga Springs City Council is addressing security concerns at City Hall, where last week a man broke in overnight, and smashed glass doors and windows before he was arrested. Apparently there have also been issues with homeless people getting into the building and sleeping there when doors are open for late night meetings, andsleeping there. [Saratogian][WNYT]

Saratoga County officials are questioning the ethics of Halfmoon supervisor Mindy Wormuth, in light of her recent support for the 22-year-old daughter of a prominent builder and Republican party member to head up the County Animal Shelter. [Saratogian]

The Saratoga Springs City School district needs to cut $1.2 million in order to balance its budget and avoid layoffs for the 2013-2014 school year. [Saratogian]

Troy city council members want city landords to obtain residential pccupancy permits and have their properties inspected annually to prevent landlord negligence.[Record]

Schenectady police have arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting on Madison Avenue last month. [YNN]

Rensselaer County is ranked 41 out of New York's 62 Counties in a recent study of public health, falling below the national benchmark in almost all significant measurements. [Record]

Plans for the $50 million redevelopment of 1 Monument Square in Troy include more than 100 market-rate apartments, a parking garage for 180 vehicles and commercial space.[TU]

A large scale fundraiser is being planned in memory of the two Shen seniors killed in a Northway car crash last year.

New York hunters killed the third highest number of black bears on record last year - 1,337.[News 10]

Odd rumor of the day: UAlbany head coach Will Brown says he doesn't have plans to go to Siena when his contract expires. [TU]