All Over Albany

Regents name new State Ed Commissioner, Schneiderman's plan to battle corruption, governors neighbor for 87 years

On corruption
A new Siena poll reports that while 90 percent of respondents think corruption is a serious problem, and 62 percent say it's serious among legislators, only 37 percent say they are less likely to re-elect their representatives. [TU]

Meanwhile, state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has laid out his plan to combat legislative corruption, which includes a ban on all outside income, but makes the legislature full time and gives them a pay raise.[TU]

As the session ends
As the legislative session comes to a close, some of Andrew Cuomo's plans may not come to fruition. The NYT offered a suggested list of items to resolve before legislators go home. [NYT][NYT]

New State Ed Commissioner
MaryEllen Elia, a former Buffalo-area social studies teacher and was most recently a schools superintendent in the Tampa, Florida area, is the Board of Regents' unanimous choice for the next New York State Education Commissioner. Elia says she plans to do a lot of listening. Assemblyman Jim Tesdisco, a vocal opponent of Common Core, says the board "clearly jumped the shark" in its decision. [TU][CNY][WNYT]

More buildings to be raised in Schenectady
Schenectady plans to demolish ten more blighted buildings this summer in its ongoing $10 million neighborhood revitalization program.[Gazette]

DA pushing for 100-life for Robinson
The Schenectady DA is pushing for 100 years to life for Herman Robinson, the man convicted of repeatedly raping a young woman and murdering the baby he fathered with her. [WNYT]

Guilty plea in Labor Day standoff
A Cohoes man involved in a Labor Day 2014 standoff with police in Waterford has pleaded guilty and is expected to get 14 years behind bars.[WNYT][Gazette]

Chase on I-90
A Schenectady man is facing charges after leading police on a chase down I-90 after they tried to stop him on Lark Street in Albany.[TU]

Empire Wine
An acting state Supreme Court Justice has ordered the State Liquor Authority to allow Empire Wine to question four SLA employees after the store was cited last summer for shipping wine to customers in 16 states where direct shipments are illegal. [TU]

Audit shows inspections lacking
An audit by Tom DiNapoli's office reports the Canal Corporation has failed to conduct crucial inspections on hundreds of structures including critical dams and locks.[TU][Gazette]

Drought challenges farmers
The driest spring since 1941 is presenting challenges for local farmers. [Gazette]

Building 273 is busy
Orders from Algeria and Saudi Arabia are keeping things hopping at GE's building 273 in Schenectady.

McTygue to run again in Saratoga
Former Saratoga Springs director of public works Bill McTygue -- the brother of Tom McTygue, who also held the job -- says he's running for Commissioner of Public Works again, after losing a bid for the post two years ago. [Gazette]

Police Chief to Ph.D
The retired Schenectady Police Chief Mark Chaires has received his doctorate in criminal justice from UAlbany and is planning to look for work as a teacher. [TU]

Quote
"I tell people I live a block from the governor's mansion, so if I live in the ghetto, so does the governor,"

--An 87 year old Myrtle Avenue resident who has lived her whole life in the same min-19th century house in the shadow of the Empire State Plaza. [TU]

Happening Today

Pippin
Today-Sunday: A touring production of Pippin will be at Proctors this week. Blurbage:

The 2013 Tony Award winner for BEST MUSICAL REVIVAL is back for the first time since it thrilled audiences 40 years ago. With a beloved score by Tony nominee Stephen Schwartz (Godspell, Wicked), Pippin tells the story of a young prince on a death-defying journey to find meaning in his existence. Will he choose a happy but simple life? Or will he risk everything for a singular flash of glory.

various times - $20 and up