All Over Albany

Albany bracing for possibility state aid doesn't come through, push for money to fix sewers and water systems, he was cooking at home

Albany push for state aid
The $12.5 million in additional state aid the Sheehan administration included in the current city of Albany budget was not part of the state budget amendments released Thursday evening. At a press conference Friday morning Kathy Sheehan said she believes the Cuomo admin is "is convinced of our case" and the city would continue to press for the aid with members of the state legislature.

The money represents 7 percent of the current city budget and Sheehan said the city is preparing for the possibility it doesn't come through. She's instituted a hiring a freeze in which any new hire would have to be revenue neutral. And she said the city is reviewing every program -- including events such as Alive at Five, which is now at risk without the aid.

Said Sheehan of the city's request to the state in light of the relatively low amount of money the city gets through the state's regular aid program for municipalities: "The state capital is treated like no other large city in New york State. And I just want to stress that. We are not asking for something extra. We are asking for something that gets us a little closer to parity."

Here's a quick thread by Geoff Redick that includes some context and reaction. [@Redick_TWCNews]

Earlier: Does Albany get a fair share of state aid?

"That's a lurking monster right now"
Jim Tedisco and Phil Steck pushed the case for state legislation that would set up a regular stream of funding for local municipalities to address water and sewer infrastructure. Said Tedisco Thursday: "That's a lurking monster right now and we can pay now or we can pay later." Tedisco has promoted this idea in past years, but he says hopeful of seeing action this time around because he's a now in the state Senate and a member of the majority coalition. [Daily Gazette] [TU] [TWCN]

Audit of Schenectady code enforcement
As the city of Schenectady deals with the recent death of its chief building inspector, the state comptroller's office says it will be auditing the city's code enforcement of multiple-dwelling buildings from January 1, 2015 forward. That period includes the fatal Jay Street fire, but a spokesman for the comptroller's office said the event did not prompt the audit. [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Diversity in fire departments
A look at the lack of diversity in fire departments in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy -- and efforts in Albany to change that. [TU+]

First Prize Center
The Colonie town board has authorized supervisor Paula Mahan to negotiate an agreement with the city of Albany for the creation of a joint planning board to oversee the proposal to redevelop the First Prize Center site on the Albany/Colonie line. [TU] Earlier: The new plan for the First Prize Center

Troy budget crunch
Troy is continuing to face the prospect of a summer without city pools because of the budget crunch -- residents say they're worried about the lack of recreation programs for kids, and city officials say they pools require deferred maintenance. [TWCN] [News10]

Colonie school parking lot attack
Colonie police said they're investigating an incident in which a woman said a man grabbed her in the parking lot of Saddlewood Elementary School Wednesday evening. CPD said the woman believed the man was trying to abduct her. [TU] [TWCN]

Crash involving Rotterdam police officer
State Police are investigating a three-vehicle crash on Curry Road Thursday that involved a Rotterdam police officer -- drivers in all three vehicles suffered injuries. Police say the officer was attempting to pull over one of the vehicles when the crash happened. [WNYT] [News10] [TWCN]

Momentive strike
Momentive workers are headed back to work Friday after training sessions focused on "difficult conversations" in the workplace, union members tell the TU. [TU+]

Fight over highway signs
Sara Foss on the fight between New York State and the feds over those highway tourism signs: "Some things in life are worth fighting for, and some things are not. Highway signs? Definitely not worth fighting for." [Daily Gazette]

MANNAge a Trois
Shmaltz Brewing has settled a lawsuit from Sutter Home Winery over the brewery's use of the "MANNAge a Trois" for a mixed pack of its beer. It added another beer to the mix and is calling it "Hop Orgy." [Daily Gazette]

He was cooking at home
The new overlords of Time Warner Cable News have not renewed the contract of longtime cooking segment host Dan Eaton. [TU]