Cuomo's State of the State tour, Troy keeping special police unit, odd dynamic between Trump and Schumer, designated drivers for hire

States of the state
The schedule for Andrew Cuomo's tradition-breaking, multi-stop State of the State tour -- which the admin says is an attempt to take the message "directly to New Yorkers" -- is out (sort of), and includes a stop at UAlbany next Wednesday morning. [TU]

Not attending the speeches: The leaders of the state legislature. But Chris Cox, the Republican state chair, is planning to a protest tour alongside the speeches. [Politico NY x2]

Free college tuition proposal
Leaders from local private colleges say they're skeptical of Andrew Cuomo's proposal to make tuition free at SUNY schools for many students. [TU+]

Taxi apps and driverless cars
A lobbying group that represents traditional taxi companies is pushing for any legislation that would open the way for services such as Uber and Lyft to operate upstate also include a provision that bans driverless cars. [TU]

Troy keeping special police unit
Patrick Madden officially announced Thursday the city will be keeping the TPD's Emergency Response Team, which had slated to be cut because of the budget crunch. Madden said a closer eye on overtime expenses makes the move possible. The elimination of the unit had been a point of criticism both from people in the city, and municipalities such as Watervliet that occasionally rely on the unit. [Troy Record] [TWCN] [News10]

Troy to sell police stations
The Troy City Council approved a plan to sell the city's unused police stations in North Central and South Troy. [TU]

Casino concerns
Glenville supervisor Chris Koetzle says he's concerned about the impacts the soon-to-open Schenectady casino will have on his town, especially traffic and emergency services. [Daily Gazette]

Less data
The Schenectady school board has decided to not get regular reports, which would be public, of metrics broken out by individual schools in the district, citing concerns with the comparisons that might arise and the resulting pressure on school leaders. [Daily Gazette]

Trump/Schumer
The next President of the United States called Chuck Schumer "head clown" in a tweet about Obamacare Thursday. Schumer's response: "Instead of calling names, the president-elect should roll up his sleeves and show us a replacement plan." (But maybe he's his favorite clown?) [TWCN] [WP] [NY Post]

Next US Attorney
It very much looks like the Trump administration will be replacing current US Attorney for this area, Richard Hartunian. [TU+]

Buses booked up
Between the upcoming inaugural and the Women's March later this month, local charter bus companies say they're completely booked up. [TU]

Designated drivers -- for hire
A local company that provides designated drivers for hire has expanded from Saratoga Springs to Albany. [Saratogian]

Big Glenmont mixed-use project
A proposed mixed-use project in Glenmont that would include more than 400 apartments has been sent back to design because of new zoning rules for the area of River Road. [TU]

The Costumer
The Costumer, now 100 years old -- has a new owner. [Daily Gazette]

Subway art
How a man who lives in Schuylerville ended up being immortalized in a mural in the NYC subway. [TU]

Comments

I can understand some of the issues that come with services like Uber, and/or driverless cars, like insurance and continued testing.

That said, really, taxi lobby? Making laws to block a plainly and vastly superior service is ridiculous. Yes, let's go make laws to stifle innovation and technological advancement because it isn't good for someone's business. What an ass-backwards way of thinking. Keep up or be left behind.

Also, it's redundant. Driverless technology is already banned in NY.

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