State school aid cuts detailed, state police report on I-90 shootout, town's bond rating downgraded to junk, the $40,000 tree
The state Division of Budget released a breakdown of how much funding would be held back from each school district as part of David Paterson's cut-for-solvency. Among the Capital Region districts, Albany took the largest hit (in absolute terms) -- $744,643. Albany's interim superintendent says the district had been anticipating the cuts and had already started trimming its budget. David Paterson said this week that the districts could eventually receive the delayed money if the state's fiscal condition improves. NYSUT is leading a coalition that plans to file suit over the delays/cuts. [Daily Politics] [CapCon] [TU] [NYT] [WTEN]
The state Board of Elections has finally approved new voting machines. [TU]
David Paterson is expected to extend anti-discrimination protections to transgender state employees today. [NYT]
A State Police investigation reports that the man at the center of January's shoot-out on I-90 was probably high on PCP and yelled for police to shoot him (which they eventually did -- he later died). They also released video of the incident from a camera in a state trooper's car. State Police say it appears the man was on the run from crimes in Connecticut. One effect of the shoot-out: the state police troop based in Loudonville is now equipped with 48 patrol semi-automatic rifles. [Daily Gazette $] [Troy Record] [Fox23] [WTEN] [CapNews9] [TU]
Moody's has downgraded East Greenbush's bond rating to junk status. Moody's reports the town is carrying $2.6 million in debt -- equal to about a quarter of its annual budget. An audit by the state comptroller last year warned that the "overall financial condition of the Town has deteriorated over the past several years." [Troy Record] [TU] [NYS OSC]
A Schenectady cop has been indicted on 10 counts, including charges that stalked his former wife and hacked her email account. The SPD has said it's trying to fire the officer. [CBS6] [Fox23] [TU]
The man convicted of brutally beating and raping a woman in Schenectady last year was sentenced 75 years to life -- with a 100-year order of protection for the woman. [Daily Gazette $] [TU]
The head of HR for the Schenectady school district, who's been criticized for his actions regarding Steven Raucci, has filed for retirement. [TU]
Schenectady High School is re-organizing in an attempt to hold onto federal funding. [TU]
Neil Kelleher, who was voted out of the Rensselaer County legislature this past November, will be staying on as special assistant to the legislature's new chairman. [Troy Record]
There was a five-car wreck on the I-87 off-ramp near Crossgates yesterday. [CBS6]
Saratoga County is offering a Milton couple $40,000 to cut down a tree. [Post-Star]
The state military museum in Saratoga is scraping for money. [Post-Star]
Albany County DA David Soares went to a holiday party at the White House. [CapNews9]
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
As the cuts keep on coming, it's wise to remember societies are judged by how they treat their most vulnerable citizens. Looks like New York is guaranteed a spot on the list of those with brutish behavior.
... said upstater on Dec 16, 2009 at 1:21 PM | link
I've heard that area of 87 is the most dangerous section of the northway. The interchange with i-90, the crossgates exit ramp, the aprupt end of the highway, and chronic speeders account in what makes that stretch among the worst in the state. Does Crossgates subsidize the maintenance and enforecement of that section directly? They should.
... said daleyplanit on Dec 17, 2009 at 3:54 PM | link