All Over Albany

Big tax increase in proposed Troy budget, state's high-speed rail plan still delayed, Halfmoon plaza would include Chick-fil-A

It's Columbus Day. Some things are closed, others aren't. It's a good idea to check before you head out.

Big tax increase proposed in Troy budget
+ Patrick Madden's proposed Troy city budget includes a 28 percent increase in the property tax rate. A home assessed at $100,000 would pay an additional $336 per year in city property taxes under the plan. Madden said the budget corrects for previous budgets that overestimated revenues and understated expenses. [Madden admin]
+ It would be the highest city tax increase since a 21 percent increase in 1996. [TU]
+ Said Madden of the budget, to the Record: "It really gives me great angst to propose something like this, and I wouldn't do it unless our collective back was against the wall." [Troy Record]
+ City council president Carmella Mantello: "The taxpayers of Troy cannot afford a tax increase of this amount." [TWCN]

Indictments in Troy 911 call leak
Indictments have been handed up against three people -- Ronald Fountain, Gary Gordon, and Shane Hug -- in the case of the Jim Gordon 911 recording that was leaked to the Times Union during the last mayoral race. [TU]

Two years since Guilderland quadruple homicide
It's now been two years since the murder of a family of four in a house on Western Ave in Guilderland -- and there's yet to be an arrest. [WNYT]

Albany County budget
Dan McCoy's proposed Albany County budget increases the tax levy -- but keeps the tax rate the same -- a move made by possible by an expanded tax base. [TU]

Niskayuna budget
The proposed Niskayuna budget includes a 4-percent increase in the homestead tax rate, from $2.65 per $1000 to $2.76 per $1000. [Daily Gazette]

New York taxes
A look at how the state's tax burden has shifted over the last few decades, away from businesses and toward individuals. [TU+]

More accusations against former Saratoga Springs school board president
Charles "Chip" Locke, a former Saratoga Springs school president, is now facing charges related to forgery. He was also recently charged with stealing money from a school's parent-teacher group. [TU]

Marijuana legalization
If Massachusetts ends up legalizing recreational marijuana use, then what does that mean for law enforcement in areas of New York near the Massachusetts border? [TU+]

High-level Cuomo aide set to leave
"Sources briefed on the departure" tell Politico that Jim Malatras, one of Andrew Cuomo's top aides, is planning to leave the administration for a job with HANYS. (Another bit: Apparently he had also been a possible pick for interim UAlbany president.) [Politico NY]

High-speed rail
Almost three years after starting the process, the state still hasn't settled on a preferred option for the future of high-speed rail. [TU+]

Road diet
Van Rensselaer Boulevard in Menands is set for a road diet. [WNYT]

Healthcare for transgender people
Upper Hudson Planned Parenthood is now offering health services for transgender people. [TU]

AVID
A look at a Schenectady school district program that's focused on preparing more students for college. [Daily Gazette]

Chick-fil-A, Fresh Market planned
A proposed retail plaza in Halfmoon would include Chick-fil-A and the Fresh Market as tenants. [Biz Review] [TU]

Stuff going on today

Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko dialogue
Monday: The Tang Museum at Skidmore will be hosting a dialogue between between local Congress members Chris Gibson and Paul Tonko on "topics from the upcoming elections to the future of civil discourse in America." The conversation will be moderated by Alexander Heffner of PBS's The Open Mind. Monday 7:30 pm -- free

Music: Marian Hill at Lucky Strike
"Tempting paradox with a blend of blues and bass, acoustic and digital, classic and modern..." 9 pm -- $15