End of session flurry in state legislature, feds assert radiation weapon was viable, Troy farmers' market looking for permanent location
As the state legislative session closed, legislators passed bills for the Start Up NY/Tax-Free NY program and the upstate casino plan. But the 10-point Women's Equality Act stalled after an end-of-session flurry of meetings and legislative maneuvering couldn't get the bill through the state Senate, where Republican members continued to oppose an abortion rights provision in the act. (The Assembly had passed the 10-point plan as a whole -- the state Senate was taking it up as separate bills.) [State of Politics] [Saratogian/NYSNYS] [NYT] [TU CapCon] [TU CapCon]
"People familiar with the investigation" tell the Times Union that there was a "unanimous decision" on the part of the feds that the radiation device allegedly planned by Glendon Scott Crawford was a weapon of mass destruction and they dispute speculation that the device wasn't viable. And "sources with knowledge of the situation" tell the New York Daily News that Andrew Cuomo was a possible target of the alleged plot. In a Capitol Pressroom conversation, Cuomo responded by calling the alleged plot the work of "extereme right-wing nutsies." [TU] [NYDN] [State of Politics]
At local synagogues and mosques, the alleged plot prompted vows of interfaith unity -- and at the church Crawford attended, shock. [TU] [Daily Gazette]
The real estate agent trying to sell the Schaghticoke garage where Crawford and Eric J. Feight were allegedly building the radiation weapon said something seemed amiss -- but figured it might be drugs. [TU]
Albany police say an Ulster County man has been arrested in connection with the death of a one month old last week. [TU]
Albany police say officers found a man shot in West Hill early Saturday morning (map). [WNYT]
While scientists are reluctant to attribute any one incident to climate change, there's a growing sense that severe weather incidents -- like strong storms, or heavy rainfall -- are becoming/will become more common in this area. [Daily Gazette]
A review of details of the oil tanker that ruptured its hull in the Hudson just south of Albany last December (no oil escaped) has prompted an environmental org to call for "a full-scale oil spill drill" to make sure the response to such an incident on the upper Hudson is appropriately coordinated. [TU]
Among the critics of the Start Up NY tax-free plan: Phil Steck, who represents part of Albany County in the state legislature. [TU CapCon]
There will be a statewide referendum next year on a constitutional amendment ending the requirement that every bill in the state legislature be printed out on paper for every member. (Jim Tedisco has been championing this measure for years, arguing it will cut down on wastes of money and paper -- and that legislators can just read the bills electronically.) [Daily Gazette]
What is the state's policy on state employees who bring guns to work? [TU]
As part of a broader effort by the VA to reach out to female veterans, the VA hospital in Albany now includes a Women Veterans Wellness Clinic. [TU]
The only person reported injured by the tornado that plowed through Montgomery and Schenectady counties figures it will take years to get his Duanesburg farm back to the same state it was in before the tornado ripped it up. [TU]
The Troy Waterfront Farmers' Market is looking for a permanent location. [Troy Record]
The only player from this area to get a Division I football scholarship this year didn't play high school football. [TU]
On a short visit to Saratoga County Friday: an airplane hitchhiker. [Saratogian]
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In regards to the Troy Farmers', I think it would be a big mistake to move the location. I am no market expert by any means, and am not versed in the technical aspects of running a market, but it's easy to see why this market is so successful. Troy has a special market because it is integrated into a walkable urban setting with mixed use options around it. People like going to the vendors, but they like being able to shop Troy's various boutiques and restaurants just as much. You will lost that at another location, and I guarantee you will lose some of the regional appeal.
... said Albany Joe on Jun 24, 2013 at 1:39 PM | link
They'd be fools to move. Absolute fools.
... said Mike on Jun 24, 2013 at 2:33 PM | link
Moving the Troy farmers market is a horrible, horrible idea. I don't even want it back in the park. Like Albany Joe said, the location on River Street is half the appeal to me. Stopping in the shops, antique stores and art center are just as important as stopping at my favorite vendor's tents. What the organizers have to remember is many of those same vendors set up in other regional farmers markets. The location is what sets them apart (and far ahead of the other markets). If their board of directors moves the market (as in, not being forced to move by the city) they really are fools.
... said Paul on Jun 24, 2013 at 4:46 PM | link