All Over Albany

Police say man painted swastikas on his own house, New York-specific provision for Republican health care plan, prospects not good for Empire State Trail funding

Swastika graffiti
Remember that story from February in which a Schenectady man said he went outside and found that someone had spray painted swastikas on his home? Schenectady police say they now believe the man did it himself and he's been arrested on misdemeanor falsely reporting an incident charge. He's also been ticketed for harassment for allegedly threatening a person in February. [Daily Gazette February 2017] [Daily Gazette] [TU]

Troy police officer charged with DWI
The off-duty Troy police officer accused of crashing into a Colonie police vehicle while driving drunk has pleaded not guilty. His attorney says he's been suspended from his job, which TPD didn't confirm Monday evening. [News10] [TU]

American Health Care Act
The Republican leadership of the House of Representatives has inserted a special New York-only provision into their chamber's version of the American Health Care Act in attempt to sway Republican House members from the state -- it would shift Medicaid costs from non-NYC counties to the state, a move that's been sought by many county officials around the state. Both John Faso and Elise Stefanik say they support the provision. [NYT] [The Hill] [HuffPo] [TU]

Meals on Wheels
A look at how Meals on Wheels is funded locally, and why leaders are expressing concerns about how the proposed Trump administration budget could affect the program. [TU] [Spectrum]

Transportation cuts
Among the local transportation programs that would face cuts under the Trump budget: CDTA's BusPlus expansion and the federal program that subsidizes air service from ALB to the North Country. [TU+]

Empire State Trail
Supporters of the Empire State Trail -- the Cuomo admin proposal to link together 750 miles of bike/ike trails through the state -- pushed for the idea to get funding in the upcoming state budget, but its prospects for getting the money don't sound all that good. [Daily Gazette] [TU+]

Hoosick Falls
Brendan Lyons: "A Glens Falls law firm that negotiated a controversial settlement agreement with two corporations blamed for polluting Hoosick Falls' water supplies has acquired the small law practice of the village's attorney, who recommended the firm to the village board." [TU]

North Colonie schools project re-vote
In its second attempt with voters, the North Colonie school district has put two school renovation options on the table -- and the district superintendent is recommending the cheaper of the two. [TU] [WNYT]

"I'm not a dangerous extremist, but I am extremely dangerous."
A federal judge has allowed a Greene County man who had allegedly boasted to an FBI informant of his ability to attack federal buildings in Albany to stay out of prison until he's sentenced on the gun charge to which he pleaded guilty. [TU]

Village elections
It's village election day:
+ Hoosick Falls is set to get a new mayor -- the challenger is running unopposed. [News10]
+ In Stillwater no one filed petitions to get on the ballot for an opening trustee seat -- so they position will be chosen by write-in votes, probably just a few. [Saratogian]

Snow removal
+ Troy asked for, and got, help from the state in removing snow from its streets after the blizzard. [TU]
+ Mark Robarge on complaints about snow cleanup and the Troy budget: "Sure, it's easier to blame someone else when your street isn't cleared minutes after the last snowflake falls, but you can't expect that kind of service without also being willing to pay for it." [Troy Record]

Albany city auditor race
Democrat -- and former Common Council member -- Glen Casey is officially into the pool for the job of Albany city auditor. [TU]

Stuff going on today

An Iliad
Tuesday-Sunday: Capital Rep's production of An Iliad continues. It runs through April 2.

Siena Hip-Hop Week
Tuesday: The annual Siena Hip-Hop Week continues with a screening of the hip-hop documentary Artifaxual and Q&A with Khalid El-Hakim & Professor Griff. Tuesday 6 pm, Sarazen Student Center -- free

Nitty Gritty
Tuesday: The Nitty Gritty poetry slam series is back at The Low Beat. Tuesday 7 pm