All Over Albany

Millions spent by casino backers on lobbying, Troy gets money for new seawall, Daisy Baker's not re-opening

ICYMI: The owners of Hoffman's Playland tell the Biz Review they'll be closing the amusement park for good this fall. [Biz Review]

Casino gambling interests have spent more than $11 million on lobbying and campaign donations over the last two years, according to a NYPIRG analysis of lobbying reports filed with the state. And: The board responsible for picking which casino applicants will get licenses got two new members. The head of the state Gaming Commission says the selection process is still on track for announcements of winning applicants this fall. [Capital] [NYPIRG] [Daily Gazette] [NYSNYS/Troy Record]

Andrew Cuomo publicly signed the the Compassionate Care Act on Monday, which makes New York the 23rd state to allow medical marijuana. It will take about 18 months before the limited system will provide the drug to patients. [Capital] [News10]

A Scotia family is buying Morette's in Schenectady and hopes to re-open the restaurant this September. [Daily Gazette]

State Police say one of the drivers involved in the fatal crash on the Thruway in Guilderland last Friday will face charges once he's released from the hospital. [TU]

A recent fatal bus crash involving an Adirondack river tubing company has again prompted calls for the state to update its licensing structure for guides. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Seven Schenectady residents have been appointed to the city's once-again created Affirmative Action Advisory Committee. The city's population is about 38 percent minorities, but about 8 percent of the city's employees are minorities. [TU] [Daily Gazette]

Mayor Kathy Sheehan and the Albany Common Council are at odds over a position overseeing code enforcement in the city. [TU]

FEMA has approved a $6.7 million grant for the reconstruction of the seawall along the Hudson River in Troy. One of the developers behind the One Monument Square project says the new seawall helps open the way for the riverfront mixed-used project. [Troy Record] [TU]

Residents of a section of Halfmoon say they're concerned about what appears to be flash flooding of increased severity, and some wonder if recent development in the area has contributed to the problem. [TU]

A Colonie volunteer fire company has settled a labor law violations case that involved its paid members. [TU]

Democrat Brian Howard, a former school district superintendent, is set to officially enter the race to challenge Republican Kathy Marchione in the 43rd state Senate district (district map). [TU]

Two Democrats -- Madelyn Thorne and Patti Southworth -- are set to meet in a primary to sort out who will challenge (very) longtime incumbent Republican Hugh Farley in the 49th state Senate district (district map). [Saratogian]

An accident involving a tractor trailer and a utility pole on Western Ave near a Crossgates entrance temporarily trapped the driver inside the truck, and briefly knocked out power to part of the mall.

The owner of Daisy Baker's says the downtown Troy restaurant, closed last December after water damage from a burst pipe, will not re-open. In a press release, the restaurant's owner says they couldn't agree on terms with the new owner of the building. [TU]